Dawghouse Sports

It's On!

2010-08-01T18:45:00.002-05:00

Time to go Camping in Nashville once again! The Titans are back on the practice fields at Baptist Sports Park and this time, it's for real...as in the next thing will will see is games! Brad Hopkins and I will be on site for 12 practices this August, and we'll be looking at how Micheal Griffin and the new-look defense is coming along. Of course, we won't really know till the Oakland Raiders visit LP Field in September, but there will be clues. With Keith Bulluck and Kyle Vanden Bosch gone to the NFC, the 1st thing to determine is where the leadership will come from? And then offensively, can this group be as dynamic as they look on paper? Jared Cook? Kenny Britt? Nate Washington? And does this LeGarrette Blount really pack a punch? (Sorry!) I do know we'll have a ring side seat for it all, we'll bring it all to you each afternoon!

Let the Border Battle Begin Anew!

2010-07-14T07:48:00.003-05:00

Since the Thom Abraham Show moved to Nashville in 2007, we have been on in North Alabama as well, most of the time. When the show moved back to Afternoon Drive Time, we lost our friends down there, but thanks to the new 97.7 The Zone, in Huntsville, we are back, and sounding better than ever! A tremendous FM signal, the Zone covers from Cullman to Scottsboro, to Fayetteville, TN and, of course, all of Huntsville and Madison. Now, one of the things the Show, shares with it's listeners, from Kentucky to Alabama, and in the heart of Middle Tennessee, is it's passion for college sports! And the Border Battle between the states of Alabama and Tennessee is one of the fiercest around, and we'd love to bring that to the airways again. So have it....but lets try and be respectful! To kick things off, we are conducting the Nike Golf British Open Challenge on July 14th. Give us your 3 man team, and low team wins a beautiful college golf bag of your choice! Submit entries to thom@thomabraham.com or call the show!

Awful or the American Way?

2010-07-08T21:11:00.002-05:00

So I guess the thought of LJ roaming the end zone for the Browns is pretty much dead? My first though is, "How dare he jump to a sexier town with better players"! Second thought is, "This is Chris Bosh's fault! He goes to Cleveland, LeBron stays!" My third, and maybe most reasonable thought is, "This is the American Way, why should the King without a Title not be able to move and work where and with who he likes?" As for his legacy, I think he takes a major hit here. He is running to a situation that is contrived to win, not lifting a franchise and a city, a la Jordan in Chicago or Kobe post Shaq. But isn't this what Shaq did, leaving Orlando without a title? Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen joining Paul Pierce in Boston? Those guys also fall short of the Kobe/MJ comparison, but they're all Hall of Famers. So LeBron, you now fall into that category, and Cleveland, well, you're still a Browns Town, so get behind the Big Show, the Mangenious, Colt and the boys and forget about the last 7 years...LeBron has...

Really?

2010-06-28T10:14:00.003-05:00

I tried, like many other Americans, to jump on this World Cup Soccer bandwagon. I looked away from the flaws of a game that originated Rugby, then American Football. But truth be told, this game is a perfect example as to why they cut the bottom out of the peach basket in basketball...and built indoor ice rinks...and stopped filling golf balls with feathers. Evolution was good to soccer...the fact the a large portion of the world wishes to remain stuck in the past does not change the fact that their are flaws in the original game. Think of it as New Testament v. Old Testament, if you will.
The bigger question is, where does US Soccer go from here? We all acknowledge the drama of Landon Donovan's goal to win the Group, only to lead to ouster at the hands of a small African country. Now for the reality check...the winning of the group was accomplished how? By tying England when Robert Green botched a routine save, then coming back from 2-0 to tie a country the size of Houston, TX and then breaking a 0-0 tie, in something called "Injury time" against Algeria. So winning the group or finishing last...by the slimmest of margins...So when you listen to all the soccer apologists talking about how proud we should be of our effort, think about that simple blown save above and ask yourself; really?

Enough Already

2010-05-10T10:47:00.003-05:00

OK, we get it....everyone now understands that Chris Johnson, seasonal resident of Nashville, wants more money than he originally agreed to play for. We all know he's going to make "only" $550k in 2010 and although that is cheap for the best back in the league, let's look at it as 8 mil. for his 1st 2 seasons...does that make everyone feel a little better? As for you CJ, did anyone tell you we had one of the biggest natural disasters in US history here last week? How about coming to town, helping out you buddy VY in raising a few bucks, maybe go to practice, and show you care about something other than your "measly" paycheck? Yeah, I know, its all about the biz....well, some folks here aren't hearing you now since, you know....THEY DON'T HAVE POWER, A RADIO OR A TV! Just sayin'....

Answering the Call to Volunteers

2010-05-03T22:15:00.002-05:00

That's not the World's Largest Swimming pool...but LP Field, home to the Tennessee Titans, TSU, the Music City Bowl and Music Fest. And now, the Cumberland River. In the midst of this greatest of Great Floods for Middle Tennessee, what I have witnessed has been truly amazing...not the flooding itself, but the response of the folks in the Volunteer State. Keep in mind, the UT Volunteers take there name from the spirit of the people, the people are not named for UT. And these people have stepped up in huge numbers, rescuing their neighbors, helping strangers in need, and checking on friends. And this is a trait not just native to native Tennesseans. It's something about this place that makes you want to, well, volunteer. This will be a long and arduous task, but one these people will answer the call to do. What can you do? Pray. For patience. For sunshine. For little miracles as the water recedes. The impact will be lasting, and in some cases devastating. But it will not be terminal...not in the Volunteer State.

So Close!

2010-04-26T08:23:00.002-05:00

I know this deal is not done yet, but it sure feels like. Now I'm one of the most positive people I know, but 13 seconds from being someplace the Predators have never been? And on the Power Play? Marty Erat, who was great coming up with a couple of goals Saturday, just needs to keep the puck down low, with :30 left in the game, and the Blackhawks goalie pinned in the net, and the Preds come home looking to close out Chicago...the centering pass....it's all very painful...the bottom line is, the preds can't place blame anywhere but on themselves for this meltdown. They gave up a shorty late, and then still had 3:41 on the Power-less Play to start the OT...inexcusable! The good news is that this has been the most resilient team I've seen in many years; remember the 3rd period debacle in San Jose and the resulting win streak? I hope to see history tonight in the Stone...

The Anti-Tiger

2010-04-11T20:17:00.002-05:00

Only Sports in general, and Golf in particular, could give us this story. If it wasn't real, you think it was some corny ABC Afternoon Special. On the weekend that the man who has thrilled us and became the biggest sports star of all, only to drag our sensibilities through the mud as we learned that his life was a lie, returned to the hollowed turf of Augusta National, something poetic happened. The Anti-Tiger rose to take center stage. Always maligned as not athletic enough, not competitive enough, the happy go lucky, sometimes choking guy with the pretty wife, Phil Mickelson showed us what a real man is. You see, Phil looks like he's gotten in shape, and when given a chance to choke, he was clutch over and over again. And the pretty wife is battling breast cancer....again. And so is his mom. And all this guy, who clearly adores his wife and is dedicated to his children, does is scrape it around for a bogey free 67 on the final day to win.
As a golfer, Tiger continues to amaze...how he carved a 69 out of that mess Sunday is simply stunning. Woods looked like he was filming an episode of "Being John Daly"...yet he ends up 4th. But this Masters will be defined by two moments. One, a 27 minute Saturday masterpiece whereby Lefty shaved 5 shots from par over three holes....The second, a tearful hug with the woman he loves. He'll never win 19 Majors, or hold all four Major titles at once, but Phil Mickelson is a type of champion that Tiger can never be....

Greatest Shot that Never Was

2010-04-06T08:37:00.002-05:00

So what if it had gone? Really? It would have been the greatest championship game ever! In any event, it was pretty damn good, and you have to wonder if it may be trend setting. Or maybe just a glorious blip on the radar. Two private, great academic schools...no "One and Dones"....maybe not even NBA'ers....Great team defense...Upperclassman all over the place. Not the most athletic game you ever saw, but great competition none the less. It is what make college basketball so great. Also, make no mistake, the absence of the "One and Done" player on the grid iron is a big part of the success of college football as well. As for this game, I was never buying the "Hoosiers" theme; this Butler group was just too good all year. But what better place to have it unfold than in the Hoosier State?
And one final note...I am soooooo over "One Shining Moment"! And if they do expand this thing to 96 teams....that deal would STILL be playing!

Urban Decay?

2010-03-25T12:25:00.003-05:00

So Urban Meyer blasts a reporter for correctly quoting a player? Urb, you're coming unglued...get a grip, man! Look, Urban Meyer is one of the brightest lights in college coaching history, but if he is ready to throw down, during spring ball with a reporter who accurately relayed a comment a player made in a question and answer period....then maybe he was right in January. Dude needs some time off. The comment in question was when Florida receiver Deonte Thompson referred to new QB John Brantley as a "Real" quarterback, as opposed to the free lancing Tim Tebow...We all know what he means! It's not as if he took Tebow's name in vain or anything...just paying the new guy a compliment. But that was too much for Urb. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! We've got a game to play in 162 days, dammit! See the video here, about half way down the page...complete with comments from some of the south's finest sportswriters.

Well, If Not the US....

2010-02-28T19:28:00.002-06:00

Let me make this perfectly clear....I was pulling for the USA as hard as I've ever pulled for any team I squeeze for, in any sport, in Sunday's Gold Medal game against Canada. That having been said, this is infinitely better than letting the Swedes, or Czech, or the other Czechs (Slovakia) or, God forbid, the Russians run off with the Gold. And the manner in which the Americans battled, scoring with :25 left to send it to OT, peppering the net, Ryan Miller standing on head, and the poster boy for the NHL, Sid the Kid getting the winner, made it OK...sorta....Would be having a sleepless night if that was Ovetchkin...but the Canadians? Well, they're kinda our cousins....we drink their beer, catch their fish, and how could we have an Egg McMuffin without Canadian Bacon? Plus, this is their thing, this thing of there's. And can you imagine the turmoil this would have caused throughout the great white north? No, this is OK, let them have Gold, we'll take White Gold....besides, we've got a World Cup to win in South Africa this summer! Now that would be a "Miracle on Grass!"

Did he Nail It? Or Shank It?

2010-02-19T11:35:00.002-06:00

So Tiger Talks. And at first blush, those of us in the gullible camp want to believe it will all be OK now...I want to think this was a huge moment in time for Woods. I did see a guy own it, and speak to many of his transgressions, including his boorish behaviour on the course. But then there is the other side of me...the one that wants to know just how scripted this whole thing was. The ques to look into the camera on certain statements, the constant review of the notes/script. The lack of facial emotion...from a very emotional guy. Body language expert Janine Driver even implied he may have been doped up...Watch it, then watch it again...was it real? Or is the only thing about Tiger that's real is a 170 yard 8 iron to 3 feet? And why do this DURING the Accenture Match Play event. Accenture was the 1st sponsor to drop Woods...Good faith? Or showing them up? And when will he return? Master's? US Open at Pebble? The Open at St. Andrews? And what about that hug with Mom? Was that on the script? Seems like a lot more questions than answers...

Daytona Delight!

2010-02-14T21:07:00.004-06:00

Take away the Rush Hour construction crew, and the little 2 1/2 hour delay, and that was one whale of a Daytona 500. 21 leaders, 52 lead changes, a popular win by an emotional Jamie McMurray and a final lap charge by Junior that would make Senior proud. NASCAR got this one right. The cars stayed pretty much bunched, but throttle was there when needed and the rubbin' was back...and as we know, Rubbin' is....well, you know. Now the question is, can the left turn circuit keep this up when they head west and get off the restrictor plate? And is Junior for real, or was that just a mirage? And is Earnhadt-Ganassi, with Juan Pablo Montoya, McMurray and Childress engines ready to become a real player? All of these things will be revealed as the season unfolds, but one thing is certain...NASCAR is off to a tremendous start to the 2010 season!

Who Dat Indeed!

2010-02-08T07:43:00.003-06:00

The knee jerk reaction to the Who Dat win would be to look at the Colts and say, "What Dat?" And to look to Peyton Manning and ask, "Choke Dat?" But in reality, we need to focus on what the Saints did and not what the Colts didn't. The Saints out hit, out coached and out played the Colts in pretty much every aspect of the game after falling behind 10-0. It wasn't quite the 35 point 2nd Quarter Doug Williams and the Redskins put on the Broncos after going down 10-0 in Supe XXII, but it was a 31-7 thrashing and not one, but two comebacks to win. And make no mistake about it, Drew Brees totally out played Manning and now has exactly the same number of Championships as the former Vol.
This game also points up the fallacy of the way defenses are ranked. We heard plenty made about the Saints 25th ranked pass defense. And, true to form, they gave up 333 yards through the air to the Colts. And Joseph Addai chipped in 77 on the ground...the Saints defense is a play making unit that completely pounded Indy into submission in the second half. And finally, their coach, Sean Payton, dared to win. Going for it on 4th and goal from the 3, undeterred after getting stuffed, the defense honors the move with a stop, and the offense scrounges up 3 anyway. And then the onsides kick...really, it fooled no one. Hank Baskett for the Colts was in perfect position, he just let it go off his head...and how the Saints Jonathan Casillas comes out of that scrum with the ball, we'll never know. And even after the Colts bounce back to take the 17-13 lead, New Orleans wouldn't fold. I'm not one to get all caught up in the Katrina effect and try and tie acts of God to a football game, so lets just tell it the way it is....the Saints are the better team...How about Dat!

Give Him the Love, if Not the Contract...

2010-01-30T12:11:00.004-06:00

Interesting piece by Jim Wyatt in the Tennessean on Saturday regarding Kyle Vanden Bosch. KVB thinks he's done in Nashville, and that may be the case. The Titans have been pretty shrewd in the past, knowing when to pull the trigger on a vet. There have been misses (Derrick Mason) and hits (Eddie George) and the 4 mil they gave Javon Kearse to model a uniform for the past 2 years. But reality is, Vanden Bosch is looking for a lot more than Freak money, and I don't see the Titans going there. The disturbing part of the story is the lack of communication, or dare I say respect, shown KVB. They're are only 53 guys on an NFL roster, and only a handful that are true vets, and maybe ex-Titans. How difficult is it for an owner, or GM, or Head Coach to drop a note to a guy thanking them for the sacrifice and service and wishing them well. Maybe a note that says, "We may or may not be involved in your playing future, but wish to let you know how much you have meant to the organization"....is that too much? KVB has heard from his position coach and the trainer since the season ended a month ago. Personally, I have been critical of Vanden Bosch's game at times in the past year, but have great respect for what he has brought to the community, on and off the field...KVB defines the term "Warrior" in a sports sense. And he deserves to hear that from the top of the Titans flow chart...

A Tale of Two Coaches

2010-01-24T12:42:00.003-06:00

The two biggest off-season coaching stories in the SEC involved two Forty-somethings whose paths will cross every September...And make no mistake, regardless of this self imposed "Break" that Urban Meyer is/has/might take, he will surely be in Knoxville to see what this Dooley kid is all about...In fairness, Derek Dooley is only a few years younger than Meyer, and has not had the early Head Coach success that Meyer had, but be sure about this; Derek Dooley has logged his share of SEC time, much more than Meyer had when he arrived 5 years ago, and you can argue the La Tech job was much tougher than the task Meyer had at Bowling Green or Utah. Time will only tell how Dooley will do, but rest assured, recruiting will not be an issue. When Nick Saban entrusts you with player procurement, as he did at LSU, you must have something on the Ball. And being a part of a National Championship staff doesn't hurt either. And then there's that whole "Dad won a National Title" thing. Dooley has brought class and a Southern football mentality to the Hill...I already like him more than Coach Lame...
As for Meyer, his abrupt retirement/leave of absence/day off can be tracked directly to the reason most of us end up leaving the profession. It hurts to lose more than it feels good to win. And Meyer has lost exactly 12 in the last 7 years, 18 in his entire 9 year career. His .812 winning percentage is tops in all of football...but that loss in Atlanta December 5th hurt...and hurt bad. More than just an undefeated season, an SEC Title and shot at the National Championship kind of hurt. The "Tebow factor" was in play here. The Coach loves the player like a son, and no one can stand to see your son like that...Is there a true medical issue? Maybe...probably something...but the bigger issue is emotional and mental. And when Urban Meyer gets control of those emotions, he can look forward to many seasons of matching wits, and not barbs, with Derek Dooley.

Al Davis was RIGHT!

2010-01-12T20:04:00.003-06:00

Al Davis said Lane Kiffin was a devious little liar...and everyone said Davis was a senile old man...well, I guess the old man was right! Kiffin turns and runs back to the left coast as quick as possible, turning his back on the SEC and the Vol Nation. You should have know from the beginning that this "Johnny come never" would back up the truck at the 1st opportunity. This trumps Dennis Franchione dissing Alabama. What's Kiffin going to do next, change his son's name from Knox to Orange County? What a joke. And where does UT go now? Kippy Brown takes over in the interim as Pops Kiffin and Ed O are heading west as well. I bet Tommy Tubberville wishes he was still on the market. Jon Gruden? Jim Levitt? Rick Stockstill? Tommy Bowden? What a mess...

Offensive POY, not MVP...

2010-01-09T17:24:00.003-06:00

Chris Johnson is once again obsessing over personal achievements...this time he is miffed by missing out to Peyton Manning on the MVP race...he recently tweeted, "Do any body got payton address I got to go get my award"...and who said East Carolina isn't the Harvard of the South! In any event, CJ finished in a tie with Brady Quinn....and Len Dale White...and me, for that matter, with ZERO MVP votes. And the fact is, that's about right. CJ is the NFL Offensive Player of the Year...but not the MVP. Most Valuable means that without you, the team can't win a game. In reality, CJ couldn't carry the Titans to a win all year that Vince Young didn't play in. And when VY played poorly on Christmas night, CJ still got his yards...and the Titans got drilled. Chris Johnson may not even be the MVP of the Titans...but he is the Player of the Year...now if your looking for an MVP argument, go see the guy in New Orleans...

Who Knew? What Next?

2010-01-08T08:49:00.003-06:00

Almost 3 years ago to the day, Nick Saban was announced as the Head Coach at Alabama....for a ridiculous sum of 32 mil over 8 years...."My God, that's 4 mil a year!" was the shrill heard around college football. And 3 years later, he brought a National Championship to Tuscaloosa, beating a coach making 5 mil a year. 3 years ago this spring, he opened the doors to the spring game and 92,000 people showed up (left). Greg McElroy (then #17) and Roy Upchurch (5) were among those left behind by Mike Shula. The Student Assistant to the right of Upchurch is my son...now at Middle Tennessee. The brutal fact for the SEC is that Nick Saban has gone 26-2 the past two years with 2 Mike Shula QBs, and a roster dominated by Shula recruits. Guys like Javier Arenas, who no one really offered, and Rolando McClain, who was going to Alabama no matter who was the coach. Saban brought in Ingram, and Richardson and Jones and a Mountain named Cody and so many more that are waiting to step in. He has cemented himself, for now, as the best in the game, although it didn't look like it in the 1st quarter of the NC game. Taking the ball, fake punts at your own 20, no one catching a kickoff...who were those impostors? But you saw Saban football in that final drive of the 1st quarter, and with all due respect, Colt McCoy doesn't play defense. Florida St. did it, Miami did it, USC and Florida did it, and now Alabama will do it...they will hover around the top of the polls, a national Championship threat, for the next several years...unless Saban decides....well, let's no go there now!

"Be the GM" Week!

2010-01-04T10:37:00.002-06:00

OK, you come off a 13-3 season with an 8-8 playoff miss. Now is your chance to be the GM or Owner or Coach or whoever is making decisions over at Baptist Sports Park. This week, each day, we'll present you with a new Titans personnel issue. We'll start with VY, then KVB, Keith Bullock, Kevin Mawae and finally, Jeff Fisher and staff...let's us know what you think in our poll question...and let the discussion begin...

Weekend Notes

2009-12-28T11:09:00.003-06:00

As I continue the longest vacation in recent memory (6 straight days with only a 2 hour Titans pre-game show!) I feel the need to purge some thoughts...let's start with the death of the Titans season. Maybe the Wise-Guys had it right all along. When the over-under for wins came out at 9 for the Titans this season, we in the Dawghouse were incredulous! "Easiest money on the board! 10 wins in '07, 13 in '08! Come on, man!" Well, "Under" was the play. And maybe it was justified. What was no justified was the lack of preparedness and composure the Titans came out with against San Diego. Yes, the Chargers are he better team, but 42-17? And once again, with a big moment at hand, the Titans soil the bed. 11 years ago they rode a Music City Miracle into a Super Bowl appearance. They were flat in the 1st half of that Super Bowl, only to rally and come up short...see a pattern here? It's been this way for the Titans entire run in Nashville...and they've only won two playoff games in the 10 years since.
As for the future, the offense is in great shape, and I do believe you roll with Vince Young. The defense? KVB, Nick Harper, Keith Bulluck, David Thornton, Tony Brown could all be gone and the Freak checked out earlier this year...In any event, there will be massive turnover, but a check of the numbers will show that's not necessarily a bad thing. The real question is, how high up the ladder will the changes come?

Urban Meyer
I can tell you from experience that no coach should ever make career decisions before February. The stress of a season leaves many thinking, "I can't do this anymore". Now Urban Meyer may have a medical condition, and that can be physical or mental. Stress and anxiety go hand and hand, and anxiety often presents as heart issues. I believe he speaks from the heart when he says he needs to "Reprioritize" his life. I truly hope he gets this done. College football and the SEC are better with Urban Meyer and I honestly believe he'll be on the sideline when Florida opens it's 2010 regular season. This should be a wake up call for every coach in the land...sometimes I think we've lost some perspective.
Now a note of full disclosure. After the 1994 season, I quit my job as Special teams co-ordinator at D-III St. John Fisher College. At the team banquet they said nice things about me and presented me with a nice pen set. I was back before Spring Ball. I did not give the pen set back, but when I finally did "Retire" from coaching, at age 36, I did it in May...

Colts perfection
YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME! Only exception is a final meaningless game. "Resting" players 3 weeks before your playoff game is just stupid. And if you are unbeaten, it's even dumber. Up 2 touchdowns, 10 minutes left in the game...fine, but what took place yesterday in Indy was a disgrace. Not to mention the impact on all the other potential playoff teams. Finally, the only time the Colts actually finished the deal and won a Super Bowl, they played hard through the end of the season. This "Resting" theory is right up there with the prevent defense. And they threw away a chance at NFL immortality. Just a shame!

Greatness and Class

2009-12-05T21:57:00.003-06:00

As Alabama closed out the 2009 SEC Championship, I stood on the Floor of the Georgia Dome and looked up at the megatron to see Tim Tebow, in tears, on the sideline...as I stared at the image, it occurred to me that, in a sense, Tim Tebow was responsible for both Florida's win in 2008, and this Bama victory in 2009. Later, Nick Saban took the podium and confirmed my thoughts. Tebow taught the Tide a lesson in perseverance and showed them where they had to raise their game to if they were to wear the crown. And then the Tide did just that. Tebow had one of those Tebow moments, marching his team right down the field to cut the Alabama lead to 12-10, much to close given the level of dominance the Tide were enjoying.
But then a strange thing happened. Alabama responded. With a vengeance. Catching the Gators in their 1st blitz of the game, Greg McElroy floated a screen pass to Mark Ingram and 69 yards and one review later, Bama was 1st and goal from the 3. One play later, it was 19-10, and it was clear that this would not be 2008. Nick Saban's $32 million dollar deal 3 years ago looks like a steal right now. And Tim Tebow is still the greatest college football player of our time. Greatness and class; which is which? You decide. You're right.

Con-Vinced?

2009-11-29T20:17:00.003-06:00

Well, here we go again. All he does is win. Call is the "Comeback on the Cumberland" or the "Drive for Five" and in win number 5 in a row...or "The Oh My! by VY!"....OK, lets not call it that...whatever it was, it was special. Only the "Music City Miracle" was a more special moment at LP Field that the final 2 minutes of that game on Sunday. And with Young throwing for 387 yards, no INTs and one titillating, game winning TD, it is time to ask, have we seen enough? Enough to turn this team over, once and for all, to Vince Young. for this year, next year and until he fails over an extended period of time. Vince has bought himself a bad outing without ridicule, not that one seems to be coming anytime soon. The most important numbers from Sunday are 4 for 8. That's Young's rushing line. And none of those were called runs. Mike Hiemerdinger has provided VY with a tremendous plan, and Young is executing. How well? VY managed to push an NFL record 6th straight 125+ yard effort by Chris Johnson to second fiddle status. Johnson finished with 154 yards, featuring a 85 yard TD run that, at the time, seemed to put the game under control for the Titans. That feeling lasted about a minute as LaRon Stephens-Howling brought the ensuing kickoff back 99 yards...and just helped set the stage for the Vinsanity....

Time to step aside?

2009-11-26T13:18:00.005-06:00

Well, I'm at a crossroads. After a second straight loss to my oldest son's team in Turkey Bowl, the writing is on the wall. Joe (far right in this shot from 2007 with Alabama, before he accepted a scholarship to Middle Tennessee and below in the MT locker room after the Maryland win) has, what Charlie Wies would call, "A schematic advantage" over me. The game is 5 on 5 and he had his team running the Wildcat, Spread Option and a couple of things that I'm not sure have names. My only hope is to hang in long enough for my 12 year old son, Tommy, to become an athletic mismatch, but alas, he does not want to be on my team anymore. This years game was lost 36-12 after last season's 24-14 setback. Until then, I had never loss...
This game held one other indignity for me. On a QB throwback play I swung the ball out to Tommy and then floated into the flat. Tommy floated it back to me and as I went for the ball, the Mexicutioner, the GM of Big Dawg Productions who moonlights as my Son-in-law, met me at the ball. A monumental collision resulted in me going head over heels in a hit worthy of ESPN's JACKED UP segment. Surely, Mex was also sprawled out on the ground and my only concern was to scramble to my feet before he got up. Only he never got down. Just kind of stood over me, only glancing away long enough to see if my pregnant daughter was concerned. She was laughing. So was my wife. And my other pregnant daughter. And the dog. Now I need to go ice down. And turn in my retirement papers...I wonder if this is how Brett Favre went out...oh, wait....

Really?

2009-11-22T11:12:00.003-06:00

On Friday, I was named 2009 "Best Talk Host" in Nashville by the Curb Records AIR Awards, for the 2nd year in a row. I can't tell you how humbling that is when you consider guys like George Plaster and Phil Valentine, legends in these parts, were finalists as well. And, as usual, I kinda screwed up the acceptance speech. I needed to thank the people who's daunting task it is to make me look good...Charlie Saunier and, before him, Jonathan Shaffer. And I needed to thank the Mexicutioner, Al Llamas, who runs Big Dawg Productions while I'm screwing off on the show. And Brad Hopkins, who joined the show a few months ago to shore me up. And, really, my wife, who has allowed me to chase this career all over the country. And finally, the listeners, who don't vote on the AIR Awards, but put up with the way I roll the show. So thanks to all of you....and we'll just keep trying to do our best, because whether they give me that Award or not, I feel like a winner because of all of you!

Here we go again!

2009-11-17T17:07:00.003-06:00

I have received many e-mails concerning the show not being on 730 WUMP in Huntsville again, and hopefully, I can address many of you right here. It's there call. I made some inquiries as to what was up, but, as is often the case, the devil is in the details, and I really don't have all the details, nor have a desire to know all the details. I do know that the syndication that we had embarked on was moving slowly, like everything else in this economy, and the show was a bit clunky for the guys in Huntsville to manage...technical stuff. Also, the individual who really pushed to bring us back there is no longer there, and that may factor in as well. I do know that the decision was ultimately made in Atlanta, so I don't feel my blood is on anyone's hands in Huntsville. In any event, there was concern about what the future of the show would be, so they felt it was time to bail out. I appreciate the time we had on the air there, and wish everyone the best, as always. I also love you listeners down there and remind you that you can stream the show at www.thomabraham.com, and listen on several phone base apps as well...in the meantime, we'll just keep doing what we do!

PS-Curb Record AIR Awards will be announced Friday. We are hoping to defend our 2008 award for "Best Afternoon Drive" show and "Best Talk Host" in Nashville award. We are also a finalist for "Best Midday Talk" show, so this could be interesting. Next year, we're shooting for "Best Graveyard Shift Talk Show"...just kidding on that one!

Hey Bud, Really?

2009-11-15T21:17:00.003-06:00

OK, I supposed at first that this could be a fake, but the report is being generated by Jim Wyatt, highly respected Titans Beat Writer for The Tennessean, and even though I can't get those guys to get my delivery straight, I still trust them. This was the first of TWO double barreled salutes the 86 year old Titans owner fired at the Buffalo Bills sideline during the Titans/Oilers 41-17 thumping of the Bills. The second came ON THE FIELD as time ran out. WITH THE COMMISSIONER IN ATTENDANCE!
Now some of the players think this is cute, even funny. And Bud will gain a certain measure of "Street Cred" in the locker room. Assuming this wasn't fired at Jeff Fisher for not getting Vince Young in the line up sooner, or to his own team for blowing the first month and a half of the season, or at my co-host Brad Hopkins for saying he didn't even get a letter after he retired, this is incredibly crass! If those same players let the double birds fly on the field, how much would the fine be? 10k...20k...50k per bird? I'm not sure, but I do know that a few years ago, one bird cost Jake Plummer $5,000 and Mike Vick got $10,000 for the putting the twins up to his OWN crowd...But what do you hit a guy who owns half of Texas with? I mean, the Titans are worth a reported One Billion dollars, and Adams paid $25,000. Clip him for an oil field or two? In any event, if the league has any credibility, he needs to get hammered for it. My only question is....WHY, Bud?

Sammy Sosa now a white dude?

2009-11-09T09:24:00.003-06:00

Not much to say here...but, wow? Sammy Sosa a White guy? Here is the story....

Shemp....er, Matsui the right call...

2009-11-05T07:27:00.002-06:00

OK, I know you have to be of a certain age to get the Shemp Howard reference...ya know, Larry, Mo, Curly of Three Stooges fame...Shemp and Joe are sometimes forgotten, if not critical Stooges...but the fact is Shemp...I mean Hideki was the right call for Series MVP. The arguments against are, DH and only 13 at bats, tied for the fewest ever by a World Series MVP. To me, those are exactly the same arguments for. In spot duty, the guy goes 8 for 13, with 3 homers and 8 RBI! Now defense and pitching are great, but someone has to produce runs and this guy did it at critical times. With A-Rod scuffling a bit and Mark Teixeira and Robinson Cano MIA, Matsui came through in spades!
Captain Jeter is the other contender, and Lord knows I consider Jetes the greatest Yankee of them all, but for his .407 series average, he only knocked in one run, and struck out 6 times, often leaving men on base.
Some random thoughts; How big does the All-Star game look now when a DH wins the MVP...the AL continues to dominate the Mid-Summer Classic, get the home field advantage, and this year it paid off. Guess it does matter...Wouldn't you think that Matsui, a Yankee for 7 years now, could speak enough English to do a simply baseball interview by now? And speaking of interviews, does Chris Rose really have the gravitas to be handling the post game stage after a World Series? And finally, why is Hedeki Matsui "Matsui" and Ichiro Suzuki "Ichiro"? I mean, if Matsui goes to Seattle to finish his career with his countryman, what will they put on his jersey? I, for one, hope we never find out...

All We Can Do!

2009-10-29T19:46:00.004-05:00

Ok...we don't know what is wrong with the Titans. Maybe Vince Young can fix this. But just as likely, this is all about the "Curse". You remember. December 21st, 2008. Titans 31, Steelers 14. And then, there it was...the Stomping of Myron Cope's Terrible Towel. Now, as a life long Cleveland Browns fan, I knew what was coming. Misery. No Super Bowl, not even a playoff win over Baltimore to set up a Steeler redo. Nope, I knew it was DONE! Now, 8 straight losses later, it was time to do something about it. So in the idle time during commercial breaks in the Dawghouse, we started batting ideas around. A Ouija board or seance was suggested, to contact Myron Cope directly and ask for forgiveness...but none of us were thrilled with the idea of messin' with the occult. In fact, Hop said, "I won't even come in studio THAT day!" So we thought, "If LenDale and K-Bull would sign one of those things, and we shipped it to Myron's charity, maybe that would do it!"
Of course, this meant getting two aggravated, 0-6 NFL players to go along, and you know what? They said, "Sure!" Any port in a storm, I guess. So the Boys signed, Keith Bulluck even asked how he could make a cash donation, and we shipped the towel to the Allegheny Valley School for Children and Adults with intellectual developmental disabilities. We need to thank WKRN TV (Channel 2) in Nashville and WTAE TV (Channel 4) in Pittsburgh for helping us make this happen. The Mexicutioner, Al Llamas, was in charge of actually handling the Terrible Towel and getting it signed, since Hop and I refused to touch the thing...and, after all, he is a Steeler fan.
NOW LET'S WIN A FOOTBALL GAME!

Fresh From the SEC Office...

2009-10-26T16:57:00.003-05:00

Seems to be a ton of confusion about the ruling on Terrance Cody's helmet removal at the end of the UT-Bama game...A big part of this involves when the clock ran out and the establishment of possession. What would have happened had time been left on the clock? And if UT had recovered, could they have re-kicked, since the ball didn't travel past the Line of Scrimmage? So I asked Charles Bloom at the SEC office and this is what he said, "Thom – If there would have been time on the clock remaining, and based on what happened on the play, Alabama would have taken possession and a personal foul would have been called. If the kick goes past the line of scrimmage, the ball is touched by the receiving team, the kicking team recovers it would be the kicking team’s ball. If the ball stays behind the line of scrimmage, the kicking team can recover and take possession. Hope that helps. Charles" Seems pretty clear to me. One thing UT could have done was make an effort to recover the ball and advance it for a TD...again, since it hadn't gone past the LOS. finally, I got an e-mail from a UT fan irate that the SEC was conducting a cover up on behalf of Alabama! What a minute, isn't that what Alabama fans say, right before "Roll Tide!"?

Rocky Block

2009-10-24T18:34:00.003-05:00

Make no mistake, Alabama did not deserve to win this one. Yeah, Terrance Cody got the push and made the blocks, but amounted to a battle of soccer players. Lee Tiffin made his kicks and Daniel Lincoln did not. So it took a Tiffin to beat the Kiffins. And if Alabama doesn't figure out how to get the passing game going, this season of promise will dissolve into a Capitol Bowl type of year. Of course, every championship season has it's measure of luck, and Bama just cashed that check...
As for UT, all the talk about them getting worse before they get better is bunk. These cats can flat out coach, and we know they can recruit. They are on the scene and will become a factor next season...

And Now the "If I Offended Anyone" Apology

2009-10-21T08:15:00.004-05:00

And now a follow up after Jeff Fisher issued the "If I offended anyone" apology, complete with the "Check your priorities" closer... Be careful what you ask for…the reason the NFL is the 900 lb. gorilla it is is because people care, with great passion and big money, they care…if you laugh at that passion, then you are laughing at the very foundation of the NFL…Now Fisher issues some sort of veil apology, hiding behind the great charity work his was performing on behalf of Tony Dungy and the worthy Rockettown organization, founded by Christian artist Michael W. Smith, a close friend of Fisher's…Fine, but how does mocking his own team, and fans, further the cause? How about coming out, introducing Dungy, and then saying, "Coach, do you have a few minutes after the event to come down to practice and help me fix this mess...come on', you're not a Colt anymore, help out the Titans!!!" The place goes nuts, it gets national attention on ESPN, and Titan Fan sees Fisher doing anything to save the day…

What if a player pulled this stunt…how about KVB or Keith Bulluck or Chris Johnson rocking Colts gear and saying they “Want to feel like winners?” I’m calling BS on this move…

Really?

2009-10-20T18:54:00.003-05:00

Look, I know Jeff Fisher has a great sense of humor. At his off season roast, he handed Merle Hoge a Vince Young jersey and quipped, "Picked it up on the way over...there was plenty of 'em and they were on sale!" That was funny, given Hoge's anti VY stance. But the key there is OFF SEASON. That's the kind of stuff you do then. Not now. Not at 0-6. Not two days after they had to replace the scoreboard lights under the "Home" sign in New England. Can you see Lane Kiffin putting on a Alabama jersey..."Wanted to know what it feels like to be #1!"...or Barry Trotz sporting a Red Wing jersey..."Wanted to know what it felt like to win A PLAYOFF SERIES!" Wade Phillips putting on a Redskins jersey..."Wanted to know what it felt like to suck!"...oh, wait, bad example. But you get the point. This was a terrible decision...from a guy paid to make great decisions. Sorry Jeff, not a great way to start the bye week repair job.

Snow Job

2009-10-19T08:32:00.003-05:00

They tell use not to play the "Blame Game". Well, how about the "Responsibility Game". The ugliest 4 letter word in sports is QUIT. But they say nobody quit out there...but facts are stubborn things and this team played like a factory worker who is starting a vacation next week...Now here's the painful part. I like Jeff Fisher. I think he has been a tremendous coach and most all who played for him respect and trust him. But he is now 0-6 after being 0-5 three years ago. This is unprecedented amongst coaches of his tenure. Cower, Holmgren, Gruden, Shanahan, even the hated Brian Billick were never 0-5...once, much less twice. Tony Dungy lost his 1st 5 games as Head Coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and then the rest was history. All of those men won at least one Super Bowl; Shanahan 2. And they are all unemployed now. Some; Dungy, Cowher, Holmgren, of there own hand, although Dungy was let go in Tampa. The rest all asked to step down. As I said earlier, facts are stubborn things...it all we have left...

Put the Season in IR...

2009-10-04T17:28:00.002-05:00

So there you have it....one of the most anticipated seasons in Titans history...gone in a month. 4 weeks, 4 losses. Thanks for coming, please turn out the lights on the way out. Such is life in the NFL....Half the playoff teams from one season to another turn over. But if the Titans were going to be one of those teams, it surely wouldn't be like this...without even a fight? 10-0 is a thousand years ago and now the boys are 3-8 since, with the unbeaten Colts coming in and a pre bye-week trip to New England up in the next 2 weeks. So the question now is, "Why?". Was Albert that big for this "D"? Yes. Do they miss Jim Schwartz? Yes. Has Kerry Collins' magic carpet ride ended? Yes. Defensively, these Titans need help with pass rush and the only answer now is to go young...not that Young, we'll get there in a moment. Kearse and KVB are not producing, and Nick Harper's best times are behind him. get young and see what you've got.
As for the offense, time to get Young. The line is fine. Chris Johnson is what we thought he was. Scaife is in his prime. Let's see more of Cook and Britt and it's time to settle the VY issue once and for all. Put him in, tell him he's the man, and let him be InVinceable. Then, if no one is conVinced by the end of the season, get ready to grab a QB to go with the rest of the tools and get this thing going again. This season is lost, barring a miracle. Might as well start making the moves for the future...and who knows...you make get surprised along the way...

Hold your Head High

2009-09-19T21:32:00.004-05:00

I'm not a big "Moral Victory" guy, but what UT did on Saturday in the Swamp was certainly admirable. They battled with one Crompton tied behind their back, and played inspired defense. Credit the Kiffins...Monty for a tremendous design and a fierce and confusing defense, and Lane for having the patience and wisdom to not take shots when he clearly had to be chomping at the bit. Tim Tebow was made to look human, and, in fact, his sideline ranting looked a bit foolish. For the record, Eric Berry IS the best pure football player in the land and will be collecting checks on Sundays long after Tebow is preaching on Sundays.
UT fan should feel very good about the future prospects of this staff. Couple this effort with that of Steve Sarkisian's Husky crew in dumping USC and it not hard to see the kind of talent Pete Carroll had on that staff at one time. Lane Kiffin learned to rely on the defense to keep him in the game and don't let the offense lose it...a lesson learned a week to late for the UCLA game, but at least it was learned...

SEC Week One Thoughts

2009-09-07T19:52:00.003-05:00

EAST

Florida- A 60 point favorite, they won by 59….slackers. Really, we learned nothing.

UT- After a sluggish start, Vols did what they needed to do. In the end, only one of the super 6 freshman actually started the game, Marsalis Teague, but they all looked good. Montario Hardesty not ready to give up carries. Team looked loaded with offensive talent for the future, making finding a QB that much more critical…Crompton looked good after forcing the ball early but we need to see him and this whole team under some real stress. UCLA may provide that….looking for a 10-14 point win and a strong defensive effort to set up a chance to stay in the building in 2 weeks in the Swamp…

Georgia- What we thought…Joe Cox is not a first rate SEC QB. Might as well go with one of the young guys, because they are not going to do anything with this group…Huge game this week, home against SC….who.....

South Carolina- How long can Steve Spurrier watch this kind of offense? Very strong D again, but this reminds me of the offensive “Genius” Brian Billick in Baltimore..

Kentucky-Nice offense in hammering of Miami of Ohio…so like Vandy and UT, they can dominate bad teams from lesser conferences…Off this week…

Vandy- 433 yards rushing? 2 Freshman over 100 yards? Biggest opening day win since 1950? Great stuff…but it would have been much more impressive if Western Carolina wasn’t division 1 AA…I mean this wasn’t exactly Appalachian St.! Sorry Michigan fan!

WEST

Bama-500 yards of offense against that D? The line got better before our eyes…McElroy improved from rocky start and now he gets some to play in the Sun Belt for a couple of weeks before the Arkansas game…not even the better Sun Belt teams! FIU and North Texas…we won’t have much to say about the Tide until they play Arkansas. As for now, they look great on Defense and are the class of the West until someone stops them…

LSU-Giving up almost 500 yards to Washington? Come on, now! They should have ripped the Huskies…anywhere! I really think there is some serious slippage going on here…

Ole Miss-Memphis score was very deceiving…Snead really struggled…it will be interesting to see Memphis this week against Middle Tennessee in the Boro…may give us a better read on the Rebels…maybe just a wake up call…

Auburn-Very nice to run for over 300 yards in the debut…of all the cupcakes playing the SEC, Louisiana Tech was the best…took a while to wear ‘em down, but a good start…

Miss St.-Who knows? Southern? Really? Trip to Auburn will reveal a lot about both…

The Jing and the Yang

2009-08-16T20:39:00.003-05:00

Look, it was bound to happen. Tiger was caught. Not by Phil or VJ, Ernie or Paddy...not by Sergio or the latest Spanish matinee idol. No, it was Yang. Yes....the dreaded 36 year old Y.E. Yang, which means "Tin Cup" in Korean. And this is OK. Because now we've got all off season to look forward to The Masters. And make now mistake, the golf season is over. Bring on the Pigskin! Tiger will stew all winter, come out next year, at age 34, golf prime, win the Masters and talk of a natural Grand Slam will ensue.
As for what all this means to "World Golf", slow down, Jim Nance! This win by "Tin Yang" is great copy. I mean, 36 years old...didn't pick up a club until he was 19...found out he could play at a local driving range...good stuff! But this will no more begin an "Asian invasion" in golf than Isao Aoki did back in the 80's. Keep in mind that Tiger is 1/2 Asian himself; his mother of Thai decent. Finally, there already is an Asian invasion in golf....it's called the LPGA....

Bird of Another Feather

2009-08-14T08:41:00.004-05:00

"Hide your Beagle, Vick's an Eagle"? Only in Philly! There are several curious aspects to Mike Vick becoming a Philadelphia Eagle. Let's start with the fact that they have one of the top QBs in the league in Donavan McNabb, and a couple of years ago drafted the air apparent on Kevin Kolb. In fact, McNabb was so angered by the Kolb pick that he reportedly wanted out of Philly. Plus, they've got Jay Feeley, the definition of a back up QB. Add to this the fact that it was McNabb himself who lobbied for Vick, and it does seem rather odd. Now Mcnabb says this is good for the team, and that may be true, and good for Kolb. That's definitely NOT true. What is true, is that Vick may be in a perfect place to resurrect a career that was teetering BEFORE we learned he was involved in heinous dog fighting activities. Remember Ron Mexico? The Water Bottle? Philly runs a system he knows, and McNabb may be the best possible mentor this side of Tony Dungy. As for Dungy, is it crazy to think that he may be he next coach of the Eagles if Reid were to bail, or be bailed, in the next couple of years?
As for Vick himself....crime committed, time served, move on. That's the way we roll in America. Screw up again, and you are banned for life. As for the concerns of PETA...shut up already!

Easy, now....

2009-08-10T20:12:00.002-05:00

So the PGA tour is going to fine Tiger Woods for busting on Official John Paramor for putting Woods and Padrig Harrington on the clock when they fell 17 minutes behind the pace during Sunday's final round at the World Golf Championships. First of all, the rule is stupid. They were the final group, holding up no one. And it was an epic golf battle. Who was complaining? Tiger's comments were spot on.
What I question here is the wisdom of the Tour fining the only guy who defines the tour. The only guy the golfing public cares about. The only guy who single handily moves the needle. When he's there, people watch. When he's not, they don't. If the Tour comes off looking petty here, and they would, what stops the Tiger in the Room from just staying home. Really, at $100 mil a year, who needs who more? Now, I'm not usually a guy who advocates the tail wagging the tour, but if it's Tiger's tail......Besides, what can you possibly fine the guy? Here's a better suggestion...review the rule. Tiger's temper tantrums are wrong...he's right here...

How's that Feel?

2009-08-05T07:49:00.002-05:00

Maybe I'm overly sensitive to this issue since I was born a raised a long suffering Browns fan. Like the Houston Oilers, the Browns last championship glory came in the early 60's. And like Oiler fan, Browns fan put up with some awful football for some fleeting good times in the 70's, 80's and 90's....and then the owner jerked the team away on us. Now, both Cleveland and Houston got pro football back (sort of), but at least Browns fan doesn't have to watch someone else wear their gear! How do these images play in Houston? Can you imagine seeing your beloved colors and logo in someone else's town? The Oilers should still be playing....in Houston. And the Titans should be in Nashville. the NFL "Retired" the Oiler name and gear when Houston returned to the league...it should stay that way. When an owner decides to move, then you leave it all...including the history. Bills or Vikings fans will understand as well, when the next owner jerks a team out of a football made town...

Hate to see it go...

2009-07-29T13:14:00.003-05:00

Today, ESPN 106.7 the FAN ceased to exist. You may think that I get some joy or satisfaction out of seeing the folks who brought me to Nashville flame out, but nothing is further from the truth. The fact is, that place represented a lot of passion for many of us. A sales team that fought the good fight. Jonathan Shaffer and Charlie Saunier who made sure we sounded bigger that we were. Leslie Pardue and a promotions team working with both hands tied behind there back. To me, the whole deal is really sad, since I believed we had something building there. And now it's just another old logo. As for the heart and soul of the deal, Shaffer's doin' fine, fills in for me sometimes and has a new show coming out on Friday Nights this fall. Charlie is still Crazy and doing a great job running the new Thom Abraham Show. Pardue is building our network. And me...I'm still drivin' this cab....oh wait, that's another song!

Why we play the Games

2009-07-27T08:22:00.004-05:00

It's all about the smile. OK, focus on the smile in the MIDDLE. This is what sport, in it's truest sense is all about. That's my 2nd oldest son, Tommy, beaming with mom and dad. The trophy is from the season finale tournament of his U11 travel team, the Diamond Rattlers, won over the weekend. The ball is a game ball off a 6 for 7, 9 RBI day, and the actual ball he sent over the right field fence to brake open an 8-6 game in the final inning. After he had his moment to brag, I guided him to the comments of Tim Tebow and winning with humility, as stated in the Bible. Not sure how that will work out, but for one moment, all the travel, all the practices, all the expense and all the weekends burned at the ballpark were set aside. For that smile. That's why we love sports. That's why we compete. Hopefully he hasn't peaked!

Better in Black and White

2009-07-19T17:20:00.003-05:00

What a cruel game. I would not blame Tom Watson one bit if he never picked up a club again. Of course, Watson is a better man than me so I fully expect to see him competing on the Senior British next week, but really....
Watson was on the verge of doing something truly remarkable in sport. The fact is, what he did IS truly remarkable, but our society will only honor the win, not the 'almost'. As for the cruel part, 168 yards, center cut of the fairway, downwind, 1 shot lead, 8 iron in hand. Watson didn't fan it, didn't hook it, didn't chunk it or hit it in the forehead...he flushed it. Right over the flag. Shoulda took a 9 iron, but what 59 year old is thinking 9 from 168? The next hour was just painful. For him, and for anyone watching it. Maybe even Stewart Cink. As for Cink, I've been calling this for a few years now. What will be lost is the heroic 72nd hole birdie Cink makes to put the -2 on the board. The way he stroked it in the playoff indicates that Cink may now win a few of these majors. Confidence in the clutch has always plagued the lanky Alabamian, but now that issue has been pushed aside. I just wish he could have pushed it aside next month...

Why?

2009-07-06T10:11:00.003-05:00

As the sordid details of Steve McNair's death emerge, the biggest question will be Why? Why did this have to go down like this? Why did McNair have the extra residence and relationship? Why did a fling end a life? And we will never really know, just like we never really know anything about those we praise on the field of play. We know McNair was tough as nails. We know he was a tremendous leader of men. We know he had skill beyond what we had seen in a running/throwing quarterback. And we know he did genuine work in his community, and for others. But we don't know about a man's personal life. Only those closest to him do. Now his wife, Mechelle, must deal with all the stories and innuendo. And his sons...who worshipped their dad the way a son does, must ask why? May God be with Mechelle and those young men...

Fishin' for Trouble

2009-06-11T07:41:00.009-05:00

Jeff Fisher has opened himself up to some good natured ribbing coming up on Monday, June 15th, at the Renascence Hotel in Nashville for the annual Cumberland Heights Friends Roast. Dubbed the "Fish Fry", you can attend the event for $150 with all proceeds benefiting the Cumberland Heights Treatment Center. I am honored to be amongst the roasters including Chris Mortenson and Merill Hoge of ESPN, former Titans great Frank Wycheck, The Zone's Mark Howard and Channel 2's John Dwyer. A mystery roaster is also scheduled to appear, along with some video roastings.
The Sporting News recently listed Fisher as the 4th best coach in the NFL, behind only Belichick, Coughlin and Reid. Pretty heady stuff, but it does make you wonder about the state of coaching in the NFL. The newbies that took top jobs last year did a tremendous job; Harbaugh, Smith and Sparano, all taking their teams to the playoffs. And we may have a budding star in the desert with Ken Whisenhunt...but look at the Super Bowls sitting at home right now. Holmgren, Gruden, Shanahan and Cower! I believe all 4 of those guys are back in the league next year...and the list will have a different look. In the meantime, Jeff Fisher may have avoided being speared by a marlin in Guatemala last week, but he's sure to be skewered Monday night!

Dale and Danica, Door to Door?

2009-05-21T19:10:00.003-05:00

This weekend means a lot to Americans. Memorial Day. Time to give respect to those who gave all so we can enjoy the greatest country on the planet...Also....time to Man the Grill! Emphasis there on MANing the grill. This is a guy's domain...we may not be able to boil water in the kitchen, but dammit, we can grill that meat to perfection! It's also a great race weekend. The Good Ole Boys are in Charlotte for the marathon that is the 600 and the IRL goes to Indy for that once great, once all important Indy 500. Oh come, on now...you know the 500 isn't what it used to be. And to be perfectly honest, blame the Euro influence. In this example, "Euro" stands for everyone from outside the borders of the US. No Unsers, no Rutherfords, no Mears...this race was great when the token Euro was Mario Andrietti and really, he was from Pennsylvania....like Franchetti is from Franklin, TN....Riiight! But I digress. The question again in Indy is will one time, half field winner Danica Patrick bolt for NASCAR. And were supposed to believe this would be a serious event to be something other than a side show. Back to Franklin's Franchetti. He WON the Indy 500. He was the IRL SERIES CHAMPION. How'd that NASCAR thing work out for him? Or any of the others that have come over in recent years? The most successful of the recent converts is Juan Pablo Montoya and he is really just a middle of the pack guy. And he was extremely successful without the fenders. Danica has done really....nothing. One win in 4 years, overseas, with a limited field. As I said, Side Show. Hype. Cute. Michelle Wie. Finally, don't go all Tony Stewart on me...he's one...and Danica is no Tony....

Passes the Sniff Test

2009-05-04T20:49:00.002-05:00

So it was only a couple of days in shorts and jerseys. No pads, no vets, no D. But the early feeling is the Titans did something very good in snagging Kenny Britt and Jared Cook in the 2009 NFL draft. Britt is 6'4" separates and runs a quality route. Cook is a freak. 6'5", as fast as Britt, 246 lbs. and catches everything in the 615, and a couple in the 931. Add in speedster Nate Washington, vets Justin Gage and Bo Scaife and super-soph Chris Johnson and it may be time to check the scoreboard lights. The reason all this talent could flourish? An offensive line as solid as any in the league and a veteran quarterback who understands the system. Yeah, this could be fun.
Now if they would just represent the city and state that has embraced them and stop living in the Oiler past...well, that's another post...

Thanks, Augusta National!

2009-04-12T22:01:00.003-05:00

Let me take a moment to thank the Masters committee and Augusta National for giving us the charge back...for putting the birdie back in play among the azaleas and colored water. Now that didn't hurt, did it? 12 under was the winning score, and average of 69 per round...just right! Augusta has spent the last several years protecting par when, in fact, what makes the Masters the Masters is the extraordinary risk/reward factor. Phil Charging and faltering, Tiger charging and faltering, Kenny Perry, steady and then faltering, and the winner, Angel Cabrera, faltering then charging...well done! As for the Tiger/Phil show...Lefty may have gagged a couple of putts that could have put him in the playoff, but I gained a lot of respect for him Sunday. 67 is 67 and he did it in eye of the Tiger...Tiger's 68 was also impressive, but bogeys at 17 and 18? very un-cat like!

I Like it, I Love it....

2009-04-10T08:54:00.002-05:00

Look, I don't know how this season is going to end up, but for heart and grit, you've got to admire the 2009 version of the Nashville Predators....not the '08-'09 Preds, just the '09 part! Since the All-Star break this team has the 3rd best record in the Western Conference and continues to battle back, night after night, to win games they seem out of. At one point this season, the Preds were the lowest scoring team in the NHL...yet, in the last 21 games they've had 10 games of 4 or more goals! And every time you count them as dead...they rise from the ashes for another 2 points! Will they finish the deal and make the playoffs? They need help on the final weekend of the season to do it, but if they do, don't count out this being the year they move beyond the 1st round in the playoffs.

Simply the Best...Ever

2009-03-29T19:40:00.003-05:00

Look, I'm not one to get caught up in hyperbole. I have defended Jack Nicklaus' Majors record for years. But this is bigger than Jack...bigger than golf. Tiger Wood is simply the best champion we've ever seen. By "We" I mean those of us on the earth since 1960. For those of you older than that, go ahead and chip in....but we'll put our guy up against all comers. Oh, sure, Bill Russell won 11 championships with the Boston Celtics in 13 years and Otto Graham won 7 championships with the Cleveland Browns in 10 seasons...but those guys had some help.
What Woods has done in this era of athletes who are financially set for life at a young age, is nothing short of amazing. 77 wins, 15 majors and just hitting his prime years? Win the US Open on a broken twig, have major reconstructive surgery, win 9 months later in your second stroke play event back? And for good measure, do it with the King stage right, in the gloom? Where was Bagger Vance? We've scene The Great One, Michael, Ali and can barely remember Jim Brown. Petty, Earnhardt, Gordon on the track...Jimmy, Johnny Mac and Pete on the courts, but this guy, Tiger, tops them all.

Will the real Jay Cutler Please Stand Up?

2009-03-19T22:38:00.007-05:00

Jay Cutler; battered, beaten, tough, canon arm, taking his team beyond their natural ability... Jay Cutler; whiny, prima-donna, thin skinned, needy....Jay Cutler; cut, dieseled, ripped, canon arms, needs to pee in a bottle, but junk shrinkage prevents...Three Jay Cutler personalities, but only two Cutlers...and one Bus Cook. That the Jay Cutler/Josh McDaniels story is still in the lead at every major sports web site is a story in itself, but one has to wonder, how did this get to this point? Does Cutler the QB really think he's above being traded? NFL history is filled with hall of Famers who were traded in there prime...and Cutler the QB is nowhere near a Hall of Famer yet! So McDaniels took a shot at getting his guy. So what? They turned over the offensive staff. So what? The new sheriff is only a few years older than you. So what? You are 17-20 as a starter. Something has to change. Show up, show off your arm, prove again that your the man! Then go bench press the upper deck of Invesco Field...oh, wrong Jay Cutler....

What's a Haynes-Worth?

2009-02-27T08:21:00.004-06:00

So it is done. Albert Haynesworth is no longer a Tennessee Titan. And now the chants of "Cheap Titans" will begin anew. But let's look at history. A lot of history. Who was the last Defensive Tackle credited with leading there team to a championship...go ahead, start now and I'll give you till.....ever? Every position on the field is important, and clearly, a tackle of Albert quality improves the entire defense. But just as clearly, this is not a spot on the field that dramatically changes the end fortunes of a team. Sean Rodgers to Cleveland...Pro Bowl, no playoffs. Kris Jenkins to the Jets...Pro Bowl, no playoffs. Jared Allen, an end and previous holder of the "Highest Paid Defensive Player" title, to Minnesota...Pro Bowl, one and done in the playoffs. So this is clearly about the Benjamins for Big Al. Washington was already cap strapped, and they aren't going anywhere. The Titans got to around 11 mil a season, probably 30 plus guaranteed, and weren't in the conversation.
Finally, take a look at the final four in the NFL this season. The Raven found a QB and had the best back 7 this side of.....the Steelers. In the NFC, the Cards and the Eagles rode the wings of hot veteran quarterbacks to the title game. Albert got paid, the Skins got a great defensive tackle, and there fans are no closer to a title than they were at 11:59 last night...

What About Al?

2009-02-19T08:38:00.005-06:00

So the game of Chicken has reached a new peak. Albert Haynesworth and agent Cliff Speak have allegedly said, "We'll see what the market will bare". And you know someone will come up with crazy money. Are the Titans being cheap....or shrewd? Haynesworth has been the game's most dominant tackle for 2 seasons now....2 contract seasons. He has told me, repeatedly, "Wait till I get paid!", implying that the better years are still ahead, under the cloak of financial security. But history shows it doesn't usually work that way. History also shows that these men, who toil in the most violent of environs, generally have a couple of huge years and then several steady ones. Has Big Al had his Big years? Fair question. What has surprised me is the indifference of so many Titans fans. They remember 5 pedestrian seasons. They remember the Stomp. They remember the 25 year old fan from Brentwood, in the hospital having had to have a hip replaced after being run off the road by a high speed Haynesworth. And they remember what it was like to have a job...or if employed, the prospect of a raise. Titan fan is in no mood for Athletes who turn down 9 million a year for 4 years...even if it is "below market value" for the player. Good luck, big fella. Say hello to Eddie George and Steve McNair on your way out...

The Dawg Has Landed!!!!

2009-02-09T17:43:00.021-06:00

Why is every one so upset! We're coming back stronger than ever....well, sort of! Starting on Monday, February 16th, The Thom Abraham Show will debut on Sportsradio 560 WNSR in Nashville and 103.9 FM in Central Kentucky, covering Bowling Green, KY, Noon-3p central time. We'll also be doing some stuff on various ESPN Platforms....more on that to come! I am very
pleased to be able to return to the air in Nashville and to continue to be streamed here at thomabraham.com. More importantly, much to the chagrin of all these guys, I was stunned at the number of supportive e-mails I received from listeners and sponsors alike! And that was only from those that found me since my old corporate e-mail address was killed about 15 minutes after I got the word they were shutting us down! Man, those guys are efficient....or something... Chris Ladd, formerly of The Phil Valentine Show, will be producing the show and we even have an 800 number (888-702-5494) for those of you outside the 615 area code to get in. Many of the same suspects will be joining us as we welcome in a whole new midday crowd, and hopefully many of the original Junk Yard Dogs! Thanks for you Patience and we'll talk to you on Monday!

Didn't see that comin'!!!!

2009-02-06T22:47:00.003-06:00

On Friday morning, I learned that Cumulus-Nashville had made the decision to flip the fan to all network programming. The reason given was tough economic times. These were issues that were much larger just my corner of the building. The show had done very well financially, and was awarded AIR Awards for Best Afternoon Drive show and Best Talk Host in the market. Alas, a corporate move was made and many good people in the building were left scrambling. Luckily, I have been blessed with a ton of support in the market and the region and, God willing, we'll be locked and loaded sooner than you think. Please check back on Monday for exciting news of where the show will land, and how you can jump back into the DOGHOUSE. In the meantime, feel free to contact me at thom@thomabraham.com. Now, I believe the Junkyard Babe is calling my name! See you all soon!

With All Due Respect...

2009-02-02T08:38:00.002-06:00

Santonio Holmes' game winning catch in Sunday's Super Bowl will be a moment frozen in time. Right up there with Dwight Clark in the back of the end zone and David Tyree's circus job last year. But really, now, Ben Roethlisberger was the definition of 'Most Valuable Player' in Super Bowl 43. This Big Cat had more than 9 lives, continually extending plays until his receivers came open. Completing over 66% of his passes, for 256 yards, he accounted for all but 34 of his teams total yards. With no running game to speak of, Big Ben became a legend in front of our eyes.
As for the Steelers, they can claim "Greatest NFL Franchise" status. After 40 years of futility, Pittsburgh has won 6 championships in the last 34 years, claiming Super Bowls in each of the last 4 decades. That's roughly a title every 5 1/2 years. The Bears of the 40's, Browns of the 50's, Packers of the 60's all were dominant for a time, but the Steelers have endured the longest. All hail the Steelers....

Time to Move On?

2009-01-25T18:14:00.002-06:00

I hate giving up on a player. I always fear he'll blossom into a superstar somewhere else, leaving one kicking and screaming for being such an idiot! I am at this point with Vince Young. Word is that Jeff Fisher wants Kerry Collins back as his starting QB in '09. OK. Fine. Bring back Chris Simms as well since he fits the Collins mode and has started nearly as many games as Young. But then Young has to go. Don't let this drag out. Don't let him be a distraction. Don't keep wondering, "I wonder what VY could do?" Turn the page, package him up, get what you can get for him...The reality is, if Jeff Fisher and Mike Hiemerdinger really do want Kerry back as the starter next season, they've already turned the page on Vince.
Now back to my original concern. Who are the top QBs in the game today? Manning (both), Brady, Big Ben, Rivers, McNabb, Romo(?); all with there original team. Then the Young Guns, Flacco, Ryan, Cutler. The fact is, guys just don't get traded and work out somewhere else. A few have good years; Rich Gannon, Randall Cunningham. Some fall through the cracks; Brett Favre in Atlanta...but keep in mind he never played there. It's time to make a move....

Where to Now? One Man's Opinion...

2009-01-12T08:45:00.005-06:00

As the Titans season ends with a thud, it's time to look at this group, by unit, and see what is next. This is just one man's opinion, but here goes:

Coaching Staff: There is a knee jerk reaction to say, “There goes Jeff Fisher again….not able to win the Big One”, but I have a real problem with this assessment. He did not fumble twice inside the 15 yard line. He didn’t hurt his ankle. He didn’t fall down or blow a coverage. What he did do was take a team that no one thought was a serious division contender and break Indy’s death grip on the AFC South. The staff is outstanding and will probably lose DC Jim Schwartz soon. LB Coach Dave McGinnis is a possible replacement there.Mike Heimerdinger got a ton out of an offense with one explosive player and a 36 year old re-tread QB….Mike Munchak (O-Line), Ernest Byner (Backs), Jim Washburn (D-line), Chuck Cecil (DBs) and Alan Lowery (Specs) are all very good. This staff is tremendous.
Grade: A

Quarterback: Huge question mark. Can Kerry Collins, 2676, 58.3%, 12/7, 80.2 rating, really do anything else? This may as good as it gets for him, and he can only slip from here. It’s time to see what VY can do with Dinger, CJ and a new weapon or two outside. It’s really the only option. Let Kerry test the market, and make him reasonable offer and a chance to compete for the job…if he goes…so be it…Don’t be afraid to see if there are any potential sleepers late in the draft.
Grade: B-

Running Back: Chris Johnson, 1228, 4.9, 9TD, 43 rec. 1 TD, is an elite player, but potentially injury prone. He had problems early in his career in college and we got a glimpse of that in the playoff game. It was also glaring how pedestrian LenDale White, 773, 3.9, 15 TD, 5 rec., is. Really just ordinary. Ahmard Hall, 13 rec. 2TD, is solid at FB. Will Rafael Little do anything? Does Chris Henry make the team? Ganthner?
Grade: B+ (but very top heavy)

Wide Receivers: Number 1 priority in the off season. Justin McCareins, 30/412, 0 TD, really brought nothing to the show. He’s a UFA and I’d let him go. Brandon Jones 41/449, 1 TD, is also a UFA. I wouldn’t hurt myself trying to keep him, but I’d make an offer. Justin Gage, 34/651 19.1, 6 TD, finished strong and has a role, but still not a number 1 guy. Lavelle Hawkins, 7/68, needs a look if his head is right and is ahead of Chris Davis and Paul Williams. TJ Houshmandzadeh (CIN) is the top UFA out there…Bryant Johnson (SF) or Antonio Bryant (TB) are worth a look. Draft may have 4 first round WR. Crabtree, Maclin, Harvin, Hicks all ready to jump right in…may need to move up from 28 to get any of them…
Grade: C-

Tight End: Bo Scaife, 58/561 and 1 TD, should be a priority signing. Along with Owen Daniels (HOU) and LJ Smith (PHI), one of the top 3 UFA TE’s. Alge Crumpler did not produce any where near expected with 24 rec. and 1 TD.
Grade: B

O-Line: One of the real strengths of the team, all the way across the front. Young, under contract and the one grizzled vet, Kevin Mawae, is an All-Pro. Roos and Stewart also All-Pro, Jake Scott is very solid and Eugene Amano is a comer. And Leroy Harris is tremendous depth and ready to step in for Mawae when the time comes, or compete with Amano. Group only allowed
12 sacks.
Grade: A+

D-Line: Got to get the Big Fella resigned…heart and soul of this very good group. Haynesworth had 75 tackles and led the team with 8.5 sacks. KVB had 4.5 sacks, but was dinged most of the year and at 5.6 mil, he needs to be in there. Young ends Jacob Ford, 7 sacks, and Dave Ball, 4.5 sacks are ready, and William Hayes shows promise. Tony Brown led the way with tackles for loss w/ 10 and QB hurries w/ 24 and is a horse. Jason Jones is a star in the making w/ 5 sacks and that huge game against Pittsburgh. Jevon Kearse’s return was mixed, with 3.5 sacks and some good pressure at times, but really, from an overall production standpoint, he was outplayed by Ball and Ford. And Kearse made 2.6 mil while Ball and Ford made $900,000 combined.
Grade: A

Linebackers: Another area of strength, with very good players under contract. Keith Bullock led the team with 120 tackles and has earned his 7 mil cap number. David Thornton (93) continues his steady play and is a team leader, and quality guy and in the 4 mil. range. Steven Tulloch (98) is a tackling machine and a huge value at under 600k. Ryan Fowler (27) is excellent depth, and a very good special teamer, but may be vulnerable at 2.5 mil. Only 14 solos, low % for a backer. The young guys all made nice special team contributions. All of these guys are under contract as well…
Grade: B+

Safetys: Chris Hope had an amazing year making the Pro-Bowl and being 3rd on the team with 93 tackles and adding 4 interceptions. He has earned his 4 mil. and is valuable to the room as well. Michael Griffin led the team with 7 ints. and was a first alternate for the Pro Bowl. Continues to improve and should be a mainstay for years. Had a few beats and missed tackles, but those will disappear with experience. Donnie Nicky is a solid special teamer and Vincent Fuller, though listed with this group, is the nickel. Fuller also excels on special teams and had 43 tackles, 35 solos.
Grade: A

Corners: Courtland Finnegan is a bonafide star and led the team with 20 PD and chipped in 5 int., while making 79 tackles. Nick Harper had 80 tackles and 17 PD and is very solid, but was picked on at times. Eric King seemed to be emerging until getting injured, and it remains to be seen how far he can go. Chris Carr was fine when called upon, but it more valuable as a returner. Depth may be an issue here, but everyone is under contract except for Rey Hill did not contribute this season.
Grade: B

Special Teams: Rob Bironas and Craig Hentrich are both UFA. Bironas should be more of a priority as Hentich is in the late stages of a great career. Bironas missed 4 FG this year, all 40-49 and had a 51 yarder. The miss in the playoffs was tough, but he has that kick more times than not. Hentrich averaged 42.8 with a 36.5 net. He had 27 kick inside the 20, w/ 13 touchbacks…a few more than you like. The return game was excellent with Chris Carr. Carr averaged 28.1 on KO Ret. Including a 55 yarder and 10.1 on Punt returns w/ a 44 long. No TD, but it seemed close at any time. Fearless returner.
Grade: B+

When looking at these grades, keep in mind, this team had the best record in the NFL. They are not a dumpster fire. The offense has questions, the defense is one of the best in the league with one HUGE free agent.

Next Urban Meyer....or Mike Shula

2008-12-01T08:55:00.002-06:00

Some say Mike Hamilton panicked with the hire of Lane Kiffin to be the Volunteers 22nd head coach...that he comes cheap and easy. I say, "Not so fast, my friends". Lane Kiffin may be short on head coaching experience with nothing but a miserable tenure under a miserable owner in Oakland, but look at the entire body of work. At USC he was a tireless recruiter and the offensive coordinator of an outstanding team. A team that doesn't run the Arena offenses of the Big 12, but a pro style offense found in most of the SEC. Speaking of pro style, he also brings the father of the 'Tampa Two' defense, and, ironically, his own father, Monte Kiffin who will take an already very good unit and make it better. And, maybe Coach "O" as in Orgeron as well. Orgeron had tremendous recruiting classes at Ole Miss, and got that job off his reputation as a recruiting with....USC. Polls are showing Vols fans to be split on this move...but many are just stuck in the Fulmer mud of the past few years...embrace this guy, Tennessee fan; I think you've got a winner here!

Brothers from another Mother?

2008-11-03T08:44:00.004-06:00

I know this may be upsetting for Tennessee Titans fans that also bleed the Orange and White of UT, but facts are stubborn things, and the top team in the NFL and the top team in College football are nearly identical. The obvious is the Titans are 8-0 and the Tide are 9-0. What is amazing is that they both get it done with veteran QBs who don't make mistakes and come up big when needed. They both have smothering, fearsome defenses, and running games that will physically hurt you. They both play best with a lead and almost always control the game from the onset. Finally, check the men at the top. Both DBs in there playing careers, both steady and defensive minded; and both considered among the best in their leagues. Call 'em the Alabama Titans or the Tennessee Tide, because these two go hand in hand...

Big 12 v. SEC?

2008-10-12T21:01:00.003-05:00

Is it time to open a discussion on whether the Big 12 has passed the SEC as the premier college football conference in the land? When Texas beat conference foe Oklahoma, the Longhorns vaulted Alabama into the number 1 slot. With Texas Tech, Oklahoma St. and Missouri joining OU and Texas nearly half of the top 11 teams in the nation are out of the Big 12. The SEC has 3 in the top 9, and 5 in the top 25. Kansas gives the Big 12 it's 6th team in the poll.

As impressive as all this is, as I watched the OU/Texas game from the Georgia press box, I kept telling myself that those offenses would not be doing that in the SEC. I kept recalling Alabama smothering Texas Tech's 50 point a game offense a few years ago in the Cotton Bowl. Certainly, there is great concern in Knoxville and on the Plain, but I'd still put Bama, Georgia, Florida and LSU on the field with anyone. Certainly with Texas, Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State....

Unacceptable!

2008-09-02T09:14:00.002-05:00

Forget the missed chip shot FG....And that blocked punt? A critical error, but offset by Nevin McKensie's interception for a TD. If you're looking for a place to lame the blame for this season opening dud, lay it at the feet of the coaching staff...including new offensive coordinator Dave Clawson. A veteran line....two stud backs. Pound the Rock. I guess it's just lip service. In a tight game that UT is leading throughout, they should NEVER throw more than run the ball. 34 running plays for nearly 200 yards. 5.2 a pop. So why not run it 50 times. Can't do that? Why not? Alabama did and stole Clemson's manhood in the process. UT needed to do the same. Don't make Jonathan Crompton throw it 42 times...he's not that guy! And for the record, every time UT dropped back to pass was good for 4.5 yards a play. Do the math...this isn't rocket science.
Norm Chow made the adjustments; Rick Neuhiesel settled his team...and his boys played with passion. And speaking of the blocked punt, why do Special Teams coordinators feel the need to ticker with punt protection? 5 guys with 2' splits, 2 wings, 2 flyers and a personal protector. It has worked forever, every NFL team uses it, stop jerking with it. This was a total team collapse and it begins with the guys in the khaki slacks...

Now Can He Carry an Entire Team?

2008-08-07T08:00:00.004-05:00

OK, so it's over. Brett Favre is a New York Jet. Now the first inclination is to say, "I guess the Packers showed him!" But this Jets team is only one season removed from being a playoff team. Plus they added offensive lineman Damien Woody and Alan Fanica. And Bubba Franks. Lavernaus Coles and Jerricho Cotchery don't suck as receivers. Thomas Jones needs to step up at running back and Leon Washington is a playmaker. Now the Jets defense won't be confused with the crew in Green Bay, but I believe the Jets just put themselves in the Wild Card race in the AFC. And with Chad Pennington's release, Eric Ainge can have his familiar number 10 back!
Note: the Jets will be at LP Field on November 23rd in a game that could have playoff implications for both teams...

Nice Stadium...Not so Nice Place...

2008-08-07T07:47:00.004-05:00

Wow. What a beautiful stadium they've built in Bejing. But on the eve of the Summer Olympics, I'm having a real problem balancing this historic sports happening and the "Celebration" of "Chinese Pride". Proud of what? Atrocities against human kind? Tibet? Tiananmen Square? Mao the Murderer? The Olympics often turn into a glorification of the host city or region, but how can any red blooded freedom lover not feel a bit put back by all of this. 40 years ago John Carlos and Tommy Smith made a statement about how they felt America treated there own people of color. Here's hoping that someone, anyone, makes a stand...like the Tank Man in the Square...

Sports' Most Tragic Figure?

2008-07-21T08:25:00.002-05:00

OK, "Tragic" is a strong word. But in a sports sense....and not in a Barbaro, Dale Earnhardt, life and death type tragic, Greg Norman may be sports' most tragic figure. Oh, I get the big picture; Norman finishing 3rd at the Open is an incredible achievement...but....leading going into the final round...again....tied for the lead with 6 holes to play...and finish 6 strokes back! Thankfully, Paddy Harrington fired a 69 to WIN it, not a 73 to slide in, but I truly felt the golf gods owed Norman one here. This was going to be payback for all the grace and class he had shown in so many failures. He hadn't led going into the final day of a major since the Masters...the one where he....blew...a...6 stroke lead on the final day. Yet, for all the drama and fairytale this win would be...it wasn't meant to be. For us, and ABC, this was much better than him shooting 80-80 and getting ready for the Senior British next week, but I wonder how the Shark feels about that? Classy as always, he'll never say...

Frozen Out?

2008-07-10T07:53:00.003-05:00

Never have I seen an athlete who has given so much to his team and his sport treated with such disrespect. The same thing that made Brett Favre such a sporting icon, drove him to tears at that podium when he (prematurely) announced his retirement. Football is a game that, played right, is played with the utmost passion. "Leave it all on the field" is more than a trite coaching cliche. Favre left it all on the field. And just like the throwbacks we liken him to, he wasn't ready to go again in March...or April, or June.
OTAs and Mini Camps are valuable tools for acclimating newbies to the NFL...but they are more for the coaches than the players. So now it's July, and Favre's internal clock, and that huge heart, may be telling him it's time to play again. Yet the fans, and apparently the Packers all want to say..."No, no, no Brett...you moved on, and so have we!" Moved on to what? A bunch of classroom time and some field time playing flag football? "But Aaron Rodgers is ready!!!" Yeah, so was Scott Mitchell, Rob Johnson and Frank Reich. Rodgers may end up being a fine player; in fact, I like his chances...but this is BRETT FAVRE off one of his best season's ever. This isn't Johnny U with the Chargers or Joe Namath with the Rams.
Some of you folks in Green Bay have been out in the cold a bit to long....

How Good is Good?

2008-07-07T10:06:00.002-05:00

As the old saying goes...the devil is in the details. In reviewing Phil Fulmer's new contract extension with UT, we find that an 8 win season results in an automatic extension of one year. The contract also has handsome bonuses for SEC and National Championships, which is great...but an automatic extension for 8 wins? Any 8 wins? Not 8 wins, including Alabama and Florida? The rationale behind the 8 wins is that the 8-4 season is relevant to UT's all-time winning percentage. Now I'm not suggesting that 8-4 should get you canned...but an extension? Most UT fans I talk to tell me 8-4 would result in turning up the wick in the seat warmer, not add years to the current deal. Phil Fulmer will go down as one of the legendary coaches in UT and college football.
Mike Hamilton said, "In my opinion, there aren't going to be a lot of Joe Paternos and Bobby Bowdens in the future of college football." The question is, does his overall record in general and his record in the last 6-8 years in particular put him in the Bobby Bowden, Joe Paterno club of guys who basically will call there own shot on when they retire. For UT fans, the hope is that the 8-4 scenario is not one that has to be discussed...

Father's Day Drama...

2008-06-16T09:05:00.003-05:00

TNT's slogan is "We Know Drama". Well, drama was on full display Sunday on TNT, NBC AND ABC! Dale Jr.'s dramatic win, on TNT, may just provide the push he needs to make a real run at a first NASCAR Championship. The drama was in the fact that had he not gotten that last caution, he would have run out off gas on the final lap. Of course, it wouldn't have been a question had it not been for the second last caution. The drama was enhanced by listening to the in car radio as Tony Eury, Jr. cut him loose with 2 laps to go and he roared past Kasey Kahne, who, naturally, drives the Budweiser car that Jr. made so famous.
Then it was ABC's chance to provide the drama as a hobbled Tiger Woods saved his one dramatic moment of the day for his 73rd shot, a birdie on 18 to tie the affable, lovable, goofball underdog with the funny name and 70's belt buckle, Rocco Mediate. The only thing that deal lacked was a sudden death overtime to finish in the gloom of a San Diego sunset. Something right out of Bagger Vance. Monday will be like watching Rocco get a root canal...or will Walter Mitty pull it off?

For the nightcap, the Lakers once again blew a lead, only to come back and win and prevent the hated Celtics from partying in Westwood. Paul Pierce is about the only Celt that wanted that, since it is his hometown, and he did everything in his power to make it happen...but this party will be a Garden Party...the only question is, will it be Tuesday or Thursday night?

Random Thoughts on the Weekend that Was...

2008-06-09T12:17:00.007-05:00

I've got the Celtics in 7 for the series, but I must admit, I'm with Phil on the foul disparity Sunday night. It's not as if the Lakers weren't aggressive in taking the ball to the rack. The Lakers shot 10 foul shots to the 38 freebies the Celts had. Anyone know where Tim Donahey was last night?

I'm a NASCAR guy, but I'm here to tell you, the best race of the weekend was in Tezas, and I don't mean the truck race. The IRL put on one heck of a show and continues to get traction with the racing public. 28 cars, some real personalities and incredible speed make it worth a look. Now, if someone could just do something with that Dixon guy...
Speaking of NASCAR...fell free to whack a 100 miles off that Pocono race. For that matter, one trip per season to the quirky triangle would be fine with me as well. The best NASCAR event of the weekend was in Nashville where Brad Keselowski gave Dale Jr. one more win as an owner than he has as a driver this season. Thursday I had a chance to sit accross a table from Keselowski for lunch at Noshville and this kid gives me the same vibe I got from Carl Edwards the first time I met him...back when he was driving the trucks.

And finally....I guess this whole Triple Crown thing IS pretty tough to win! Big Brown was a Big Dud Saturday and you can't tell me the hoof didn't have something to do with it. Not the crack itself, but the disruption in the training schedule. The horse was out of it's groove. Man, I wish I had that superfecta! $48,000 for a $2 ticket? Chances are I wouldn't have been in today....

Who Would You Swap With?

2008-05-29T07:41:00.003-05:00

It is fair to question some of the decisions Vince Young has made early in is professional career. You may even want to say that that decision making ability, for better or worse, may carry out on to the field. But how many of us would have liked to have the glare of the media focused on us in our early twenties as we stumbled out of college and into ealy adulthood? I'm not a VY apologist, just a realist. Now, let me pose a question. Who would you swap him for? The only true measure of a quarterback is his value in helping your team win. How about the guys he came in with? Lienart? Forgetaboutit! Cutler? You can make an argument, but how has he done in the clutch? Not at Vandy, nor in Denver can you say that guy made all the difference. Cutler is reliable and mature, but he hasn't carried a team to major victories or a playoff. Denver was in much better shape 2 years ago than the Titans...and they haven't improved. What about David Gerrard in Jacksonville? He's 30 now and just had his first big year...no thanks. Philip Rivers? Maybe, but when he was Young's age he had yet to start a game...VY has two years under his belt. Eli? He was ready to be run out early last year...his fourth as a starter, before having a nice playoff run. Derek Anderson? Maybe a fluke, but he also got 2 years to watch before becoming a starter. Tony Romo? How would Vince have done with that team around him...think he'd a won a playoff game by now? My point is, be careful what you wish for, and appreciate what could be coming...

Maybe not Bird and Magic, But.....

2008-05-19T07:36:00.004-05:00

It may not have been Larry Bird and Magic Johnson but Sunday's duel in the Garden between Paul Pierce and LeBron James was a classic. Pierce, after toiling so many years on bad Celtic teams now has Amigos 2 and 3 and no excuses. LeBron, the self proclaimed King James, laboring without a Prince or even a Duke; just a bunch of Court Jesters, yet carrying this group to the edge.
James' 45 really wasn't all that surprising. In fact, in a pitiful sort of way, it was almost expected. In the second half, he was the ONLY Cavs starter to score, other than Delonte West's measly 4 points. Pierce, on the other hand, seized the moment. Surrounded by the likes of Garnett and the ever disappearing Ray Allen, the archaic, yet useful PJ Brown and an emerging Rajon Rondo, he was not about to let this pass. Not if he wanted that #34 hoisted to the rafters someday. He showed true Celtic pride. But will it be enough against the Blue Collar Pistons? Or the Lakers, Spurs or Hornets? We'll know soon....hopefully before the football season starts!

Another one takes the walk...

2008-05-14T07:50:00.004-05:00

Blessings come in many forms to a person's life, and one of our greatest has been our children. Kelly, 23, graduated from the University of Alabama-Huntsville Magna Cum Laude and has made her parents very proud. There is nothing greater in life than seeing your children raise whatever bar you have set in life. This one gets her looks from her mother and her brains from....well, her mother and her creativeness from....well, I know I made some contribution along the way..I'll have to get back to you on exactly what it was! Just thought you'd like to know...

Big Brown and the Lady

2008-05-05T12:21:00.003-05:00

Big Brown broke strong from the 20 gate to capture the Derby in stunning fashion...and Eight Belles just broke down. In the aftermath of a historic win in which Big Brown did what no horse had done since 1929, all eyes were focused on the front stretch where Eight Belles had collapsed from what looked like was a heart attack. With two broken ankles, she was put down marking the first fatality in 134 Derbys. I know the animal folks will be out en masse on this one, but the fact is, about 2 horses die per 1000 races on dirt tracks around the world, but this one was in front of the biggest audience of the year. As for Brown, this horse has to be a favorite to win the Triple Crown now, after such a dominant effort on Saturday. And it would be a nice homage to the Philly who gave all to run second at Churchill Downs.

Time to follow through by Rocky

2008-04-30T13:22:00.002-05:00

Ok, well I have no problem with Byron Scott getting named NBA coach of the year...However now that Scott has been given this award, it seems fitting to me that the best coach also has the best player...Time to own up and give the MVP to Chris Paul. Kid is absurd, not to mention a triple threat as he showed last night...Chris Paul reminds me of those games in which Stockton played and Malone didnt...The type of cat who if he wanted to, could take over like an LBJ or Kobe because that part of the game comes so easy to him. Where he separates himself from those two is this...Kobe just doesnt make his teammates better, he just needs to play with better guys. LBJ makes his guys better, but not good enough to get out of the east. Now look at the ragtag bunch of guys people gave up on that play for New Orleans, throw a solid motivator like Byron in there, all you are missing in order to be the team to beat is the best PG in the game...oh wait, they have that. Let me close with this, I can't believe Byron Scott is the cause of careers being resurrected and David West playing like an undersized Karl Malone...its the game of John Stockton...It's Chris Paul...I'm telling you!

2008-04-27T19:13:00.002-05:00

Now that the Pacman Jones question has been answered, it's time for the Titans to focus on FOOTBALL and once again, they have produced a curious cast of characters in the draft. Chris Johnson may be Eric Metcalf reincarnated. Kick returner, slot, wideout, I-back who can turn the corner...a true multi-weapon. This guy had not one, but TWO 400+ all purpose yard games including the Hawaii Bowl win over Boise St. He also had a 300 yard rushing game during the season. But not too many had him a 1st rounder. However, I'm a big believer in getting your guy, if that's your guy. Now the pick of Jason Jones in the second round was a head scratcher in that no one had this guy earlier than the 4th round...but again, he seems to be an athlete of "Freakish" physical proportions.
The one I'm most intrigued by is 4th rounder William Hayes. The Titans traded up in the 4th round to get to this guy....who no one, including the NFL itself, thought would be drafted! Ever! He has great speed for a big guy, but did nothing before last year and had to go 1-AA because he had no grades. But I defer to the coaches and scouts and somebody will look like a genius if this works out.

Exit with Heads Held High

2008-04-21T07:14:00.003-05:00

It coulda been worse...much worse. As the Preds left the ice, vanquished by the Detroit Red Wings in eerily the same fashion as 2004, I couldn't help think how this scene could have played out...Yesterday, a packed house send the overachieving Preds to the golf course with a lusty applause and anticipation of "Next year". But just imagine how it might have been. No David Freeman...no Karl Deal...no Fans raising their voices...and no more "I like it, I love it..." after no more goals.
Instead of a playoff exit on a Sunday afternoon on national TV, it would have been a lonely Saturday night in front of about 8,000 fans. A team looking to pack their bags having mailed this season of transition in. Preds gear in the discount, off Broadway stores, next those Nashville Kats t-shirts. And yesterday would have been just another quiet spring Sunday downtown with a few hundred people milling about. Thank you David Freeman. Thank you Karl Dean. Thank you Preds. Now let's get out of the first round NEXT YEAR!

From the pages of Center Ice Magazine

2008-04-16T14:36:00.009-05:00

A SILENT ROAR?

Question: If a filled arena breaks out into a spontaneous, piercing roar but no one outside the building is willing to hear it, does it make a sound?

Answer: Apparently not.

Welcome to the dilemma that is the Nashville Predators.

It was a truly magical moment the night of April 3 at Nashville’s Sommet Center. The Predators were on the verge of clinching their fourth straight playoff appearance, which they did later that night with their victory and a Vancouver Canucks loss. At the time the Predators were clinging to a precarious 3-2 lead over St. Louis.

Then it happened.

During the final media timeout, over 17,000 fans stood up and started cheering. But this wasn’t just some fleeting moment of appreciation. Their cheering continued…louder and longer. The crowd had broken out into an unprovoked, ear-splitting roar that had rarely, if ever, been heard during the Predators’ 10-year history.

The tell-tale sign of an unforgettable sports moment is when its historical significance is realized in the moment. Sitting among the press corps that night at the Sommet Center, I knew this was something very special. Chills went down my spine as I realized I was experiencing perhaps the seminal moment in franchise history.

It was spontaneous, it was unexplainable, and – most importantly – it was real.

That moment may have signified a fan base finally and fully embracing its hockey team, a franchise nearly snatched from its city before the season had even begun.
Yet as special and memorable the moment was, an entire region outside the building failed to hear it.

This lack of recognition from everyone outside the loyal but smallish Predators fan base was just as deafening and equally measurable.

As the eighth-seeded Predators approached a difficult, yet not impossible, opening-round task of upsetting the top-seeded and President Trophy-winning Detroit Red Wings, the community at-large responded with a whimper, both in television ratings and ticket sales.

To be fair, trying to find the Predators on TV – through the muddled mess of networks and times - was the equivalent of the cliché needle in a haystack. Additionally, the thought of buying tickets for a series in which the good guys were down 0-2 coming back to Nashville did not necessarily seem appealing. Game 3 did not sell immediately. In fact, it did not sell out until the morning of the showdown.

But here was the Predator faithful again during Game 3, letting loose a growl reminiscent of the regular season finale, practically willing the Predators to an unlikely 5-3 win.

Despite the fan and player heroics, one glaring problem remains: the Predators need more people shouting inside – and outside – the building, both with their voices and their wallets.
Otherwise the next generation of Predators fans will not experience the magical moments we did.

That’s because there won’t be a next generation of fans.

This will be the last time...by Rocky

2008-04-16T11:51:00.005-05:00

I am begging everyone out there, pleading...this is not the case of whether you support him or like him or think he is a good person. This is NOT about whether or not he can change or if he is doomed to repeat himself and his actions. This IS about just letting it go...what has he really done to earn this? Has he hit over 756 home runs? Did he throw or catch the Music City Miracle or take this team on his back to the playoffs as in the case of an Eddie, Steve, or in the past 2 years the friggin head coach!?!? Of course not, instead he has gone the rout of others who fall from grace, and in his case these allegations were going on well before the pro-game. This isn't the blame game either, its not about the owners, coach, other players, or even him being at fault. This rant is about one thing, letting it go. We the people are power in numbers, and every now and again if we band together it actually works. Whether you know it or not, TV news casts have instant ratings feedback where they can see how well a story works. Imagine if everyone just turned it off the next time they show his face...

And DAMMIT GO PREDS!

It's OK....For Now...By Thom Abraham

2008-04-14T12:40:00.003-05:00

By all accounts, Brandt Snedeker is a terrific guy. And my this account, I believe he will be a regular winner on the PGA Tour....and, man does he look like Johnny Miller out on the course! Having said that, Snedeker's emotional interview, just minutes after coming off the course revealed just how much these guys hold back on the course. And maybe that's an issue. In an effort to be ultra-controlled, maybe they need to blow a little steam out there...Tiger wears it on his sleeve, so did Arnie. Trevino would chat with the gallery to stay loose. Tom Watson just smiled...hence the nickname "Huck Finn". Snedeker is from the Watson school...in fact, he calls Watson one of his heroes. The question going forward will be, can Brandt Snedeker channel that emotion into positive results? I'm betting yes...

Chip off the ol' block by Rocky

2008-04-10T13:17:00.006-05:00

Tiger sat down with Scott Van Pelt for one of the more candid interviews I have ever heard regarding Woods and insight into his life. Woods for the first time I can truly remember came off what sports fans may consider "arrogant". For the most part I believe Tiger has been more on the invisible side then the in your face Barry Bonds/Curt Schilling/TO athlete who demands you pay attention, most of the time by throwing a tantrum with or through the media. Tiger has his quirks on the course, plays head games with his competition much like Jordan or Deon Sanders once did, but besides marrying his hottie babysitter, we know little about the man...again compared to these other men and sometimes women who insist we turn the cameras on every time they breathe. No Tiger has always been good with us, good with the fans, good with the country. (OK I know he went off on someone for clicking his camera phone during his backswing, but that's another rant altogether...Lets leave it at this, if the guy didnt stick up for himself, who am I to?) But he came out and said he has to bet on himself, he IS better than Jack, and 19 is more important than 100... And here we are again, ready to miss work to watch him play, something in the past reserved for the NCAA's. It's a sign we havent seen so far and I tell you this...if he has been playing this well without this chip, I fear for Rory and the rest of 'em!

Rock Chalk or Choke Tiger?

2008-04-08T08:11:00.002-05:00

I'd love to talk about the epic comeback for the Jayhawks to win their first National Championship in 20 years. And Mario Chalmers did go all Super Mario with is last second 3 to sent the game to overtime, and, essentially, forcing the Memphis Tigers to win the game twice. But, truth be told, this was an epic choke job...Jean VanDeveld at the British...Chris Webber's TO...Norman at the Masters...that kind of choke. And this goes straight to John Calipari as well. We were lulled into thinking that Memphis had the free throw thing licked. But pressure does funny things to a stroke. And then, up 3 with :10 to go in the game Cal needed a TO and he needed to set up the foul at mid court. Play tough defense for a few seconds and then put a Jayhawk, any Jayhawk, on the line. Make them bring the ball up twice to beat you.
In the end, Memphis may have been too good for there own good. To many blow outs in a weak conference, and then they got on a roll in the tourney. They had done it all...except have to come up big in clutch situations. So now "Danny and the Miracles" adds Super Mario to Kansas hoop lore.

Well?

2008-04-07T08:30:00.003-05:00

"The Predators were life and death down the stretch to make the playoffs for the fourth straight season. The bigger question was whether anyone in Nashville noticed."-Scott Burnside-ESPN.com

And he likes the Preds! I know I'm excited! But will those outside the building catch Preds fever? What would an upset of Presidents Trophy winning Detroit mean to this franchise? Will the community jump on the bandwagon in a fashion similar to the Titans Super Bowl run in their first season as Titans? Will Hard Core Preds fans try and kick Bandwagon Fan off the Bandwagon? As for the product on the ice...I really don't think this is a group that anyone really wanted to see in the first round. Resilient, tough and with no expectations. If the Red Wings are looking for an easy out....FORGETABOUTIT. As they say in NASCAR; "You'd better reach up and pull those belts tight" but this one's going 6 or 7 games!

Pro Hoops in the Music City

2008-04-03T11:41:00.004-05:00

I'm truly excited for the opportunity we have as sports fans in this city to experience pro hoops in the new ABA team, the Nashville Broncs. I know the memories of the Rhythm are unfortunately still fresh in our minds...Yet right from the jump this team has a fresh new approach, a new look, and what I believe will be an entertaining product. I dont need to explain how absurd it was for the Rhythm to play on a campus where no alcoholic beverages are permitted...when alcohol sales are one of the KEY revenue makers in pro sports, right? And to all you haters think before you speak, or in certain cases write an article poisoning this effort. Basketball is what we love, look at UT, Vandy, Belmont, Memphis, Austin Peay...How great would it be to see kids who went to school here, have a chance to continue on and play in a much larger league with a larger player pool?

There are some things that jump out for me that cause me to believe this time around it will work...First, the man in charge, Scott Lumley, has been successful in so many other areas of business that I believe the mentality is such that he wont allow it to fail...at least not for the fans. I've sat with Scott and the feel I got is that he is a fan first, and wants the experience to cater to you first, not the ABA or the team. Second, from a basketball standpoint Oliver Lee is as good a coach you can find to not only provide leadership to players new to the league, but also mold and prepare players for the next level. The 2 time All-American killed comp back at Marquette, played in both the NBA and Europe. He has seen the game played on all levels. Let's be honest here, the better positioned this team is to not only win games but possibly advance guys to the next level, the better the product the better the reward for the fan...let's not lose focus, WE the fans are who this is all about.

One for the Ages!

2008-04-02T08:15:00.002-05:00

I have always said, "Sports is the ultimate Reality TV." What the Predators did in St. Louis last night was why we love our games! Down 3-0 on 7 shots in 7 minutes, goalie Dan Ellis is yanked from the game. Did I mention it took about 250 minutes for him to give up 3 goals prior to last night? Oh yeah, the Preds hadn't scored 4 goals to win a game in a month...an even dozen games. And the season hung in the balance...a loss almost assuredly meaning no playoffs. What happens next you wouldn't buy if it was a Disney movie. The Mighty Predators yank the star goalie for the guy who they yanked before the star became a star, the defense only allows 10 more shots in the last 53 minutes...the well rested back up stops all those shots, and a bunch of guys with names like Fiddler, Tootoo, Bochenski and Peverley score goals for the win. Did I mention that those last two weren't even on the team a few weeks ago? Of course, the story wouldn't be complete without a Vancouver loss putting Nashville back in the playoffs. Win the last two, and it's on to a best of 7 against Detroit...and don't doubt these Mighty Predators of Nashville. I wonder if Emilio Estevez will be available to play Barry Trotz in the movie?

One Tough Chick

2008-04-02T08:09:00.002-05:00

I don't typically spend much time on Woman's basketball, and like the rest of the nation, I'm just waiting for Pat v. Geno, but the effort of Candice Parker last night merits some serious props. This girl dislocates her shoulder....twice...and goes all Willis Reed, coming out of the tunnel with 10 minutes left in UT's Regional Final to lead the Lady Vols to the Final Four. Did I mention she dislocated her shoulder.....twice? That's the heart of a warrior and that's what separates the athlete from the ordinary. Now when is the Pat and Geno thing going to happen!

Crossing the line?

2008-03-26T11:16:00.007-05:00

OK, I get as a member of the media we have to report on more then just sports...Box scores and X's and O's just don't sell, especially on the radio. It was a reward to share the moments of Thom's family leading up to the birth of his grandchild, that is why we all could relate...we were all tied in. We love the story, the feel good story, or the bad guy to good guy redemption story...either way we love a winner. Yet one thing we as human beings simply cannot do is look at people strictly as athletes, or hosts, or writers, or contractors, or truckers...Everything we do is molded together and the outcome is how we are perceived. The Tennessean reported with details about Albert Haynesworth's divorce, and I believe that as necessary as it may be to get the story out...to leak details I believe is irresponsible and unfortunately more the norm in this business. If there are criminal charges as in Adam Jones' case then that is something that should be out there, however to nitpick a marriage and the divorce proceedings to follow is an injustice. How many writers on that staff have been divorced or are dealing with a bad marriage? Where as with reporting about crime it's safe to say the paper doesn't employ criminals...or at least the type of criminal reporting on those specific crimes. Let Albert be judged by his performance, mistakes, and redemption on the field; not by us fans who can't separate the nonsense from relevant.

Radio Free Pacman

2008-03-25T21:19:00.002-05:00

Well, for a day, Pac was back...on the Michael Irvin Show on ESPN Radio in Dallas. Pac tried to say all the right things and for his part, Irvin was not a pushover. When Pac said "Goin' to the strip club ain't a sin", Irvin said, "Well, actually it is...." and when Pac said his first three arrests were bogus, Irvin said, "That's what all the guys in jail told me about them too...". But Jones' general ignorance aside, you have to wonder if anyone can break through to this guy. His on field talent is unquestioned, though not quite as great as some would have you believe. But there is so much more to being a teammate. He needs to be trustworthy. He says he respects the Titans, yet he continued to behave in a way that betrayed them. He says he takes responsibility for his acts, yet he's done nothing wrong. He says he'll stay away from the strip clubs for 3-4 years, then 2-3 and finally a "couple" of years. He says he's going to change his life "360 degrees". That's what I'm afraid of.

Many Thanks...

2008-03-21T08:33:00.003-05:00

From the beginning, right or wrong, I have always made my family a part of the show, and many of you have been through all the ups and downs with us. Well March 19th was definitely an "up" as I became a Grand Pappy for the first time! (With 9 kids, my guess is this won't be the last!). Since I couldn't be at the hospital at the time, I really appreciate the listeners allowing me to make that part of the show. My wife's call to the show from the delivery room had to be one of the rawest moments of emotion ever heard on live radio. We will have it posted soon on the Audio page on the website.

I am very proud of my Daughter Kristen and her husband, Al, and, of course, Crimson Olivia. Now, a note on that name. Kristen is an accomplished artist, and she has always wanted to name a daughter "Crimson". She couldn't find Tuscaloosa with Mapquest, and I certainly had NOTHING to do with naming the kid! If it was a boy, the name would have been Dominick Joseph....and no, they weren't going to call him "Nick"! Thanks again for all the great e-mails, they have been sent along to be a part of her baby book...Finally....hope your brackets are holding up!

Ostracised

2008-03-19T11:37:00.002-05:00

The nature of our sport, America's sport is this: The MLBPA is examining possible collusion against Bonds and others, but namely Barry Bonds. Bonds is yet to be hired for his guns 1 more year as he continues his *Assault on the history books. Now the Union is going to claim foul play because nobody wants to play ball with Barry...Boo Hoo. I find it very hard to bite the bait on this one that we should feel sorry for him. The union hasn't named anyone else they feel has been mistreated by the owners yet, and my guess is they wont. This is about Bonds and their agenda...Don Fehr has mentioned he is OK with the future punishments handed down by Bud Selig to all players mentioned in the Mitchell Report. So Don is cool with any punishment handed down as a result of this document, but cant accept punishment handed down by owners to Bonds, as a cause of the same document? If we cant prove he took roids let's just come out and say it, but to backtrack in the name of hypocrisy just exposes the union for flip-flopping. Too bad Fehr hasnt used this as an opportunity to remain silent and actually call a bluff from Ol' Buddy Selig on this so called "punishment".

First Blush...

2008-03-16T19:22:00.003-05:00

Random first thoughts on the Bracket...Tennessee a 2 in the region the overall number 1 is in? So Texas, Duke and Georgetown, all with more losses and a lower RPI than the Vols, get "higher" 2s?...Duke comes in 2nd in their conference, and loses in the Semis in their tourney....Wisconsin wins the Big Ten regular season and tournament and is a 3? Memphis is the 1 seed in the south and would play 2 seed Texas in Houston in the regional final? South Alabama is in as an "at large" but Arizona St. is not? Looking for a "Sleeper" in each bracket? Pitt in the South, Notre Dame in the East, Clemson in the Midwest and maybe Western Kentucky in the West...at least for the first upset... Easiest route to San Antonio? UCLA. First 1 that could be done? Memphis at the hands of Michigan St. Toughest region...South. I'm just sayin'....

March Madness...And Not Just Hoops!

2008-03-16T19:08:00.003-05:00

What a weekend of Sports! The SEC Tourney turns into Bizzaro World with Georgia winning it all in front of 1000 fans in on an ACC court on CBS on ESPN2...OK...And I didn't even mention Steven Hill beating the Vols on his only basket of the game in the final seconds of the Semi-Finals......Clemson upsets Duke, Pitt dumps G'town and the wacky brackets come out...The Preds squeeze one out in Detroit to keep playoff hope alive....The Rockets dump the Lake Show for number 22 in a row, and the top spot in the west...and then there's Tiger. 20th place on Saturday morning and he rolls it around for 63-66 over the weekend and caps it with a 25 footer on 18 to win his 7th IN A ROW! Reality TV? Tune in a game!

A Woman's Intuition....

2008-03-15T20:35:00.006-05:00

The Show had ended at the Georgia World Congress Center (left) and I really didn't want to leave downtown. I had a great plan...I'd check my wife and the kids into the Omni Hotel, right across from Dome and Centennial Park, and she could take the kids swimming while I walked over to take in

the Bama-Mississippi St. game. I was preparing all the angles about how I "Had" to be there, even though my work week was over...I'd hang for the UK-Georgia game as well....My wife had a different plan..."let's go back to the hotel in Buckhead, grab some dinner and you can watch the game in the

room"...Yeah...that made sense...and would look better on my expense

report. As usual, it was a solid call by her.

In the meantime, Mikial Riley's 3 to send the game most likely kept

hundreds of people in the Dome when the storm hit. The biggest losers were the Blue Nation who showed up Thursday to prepare to cheer their beloved Cats, who wouldn't play until late Friday...and then they didn't play. To make matters worse, when they did play, on Saturday on Georgia Tech's floor, the fans weren't invited. The final insult was having to listen to Cats lose to Georgia.
As for UT, I would not be shocked at all if they have blown a number one seed for the Big Dance. That spot will go to the winner of the Big Twelve Title game between Texas and Kansas. Here's one suggestion...GET RID OF THE NASTY BLACK SHOES!

Hypocrisy or Just Good TV...

2008-03-12T17:35:00.003-05:00

Well look who's making their ESPN debut tonight...Everyone's FAVORITE bad guy Bobby Knight...The man who made his legacy off the court with tirade after tirade, mostly directed towards the media, is kicking off his coverage of the game he so dominated way back when. I think it comical that of all stations ESPN would hire him, as they have been overly critical of Knight and barely covered his retirement. The snub of press coverage he has received over the last years of his career is proof positive. Which brings me to the 1 point I want you to take home...The one thing Ben Is would even agree on with me! This is all a sham...It's for lack of a better term BS. Look it's so clear, this station has spent the past 5 years either bashing or ignoring the man who finished his career as the best. They rarely focused on any achievement on the court, except of course a new tirade topping the last belligerent outrage...So ESPN is hiring this dude simply for the shock factor...for the Rush Limbaugh factor. That is what Bob Knight has become, a gimmick. Oh don't worry, you will get some analysis but this is the American Idol of NCAA Coverage. I wonder if we would be holding such high standards to John Daly if he were as successful as Bobbo was...I for one will have the TV on mute.

More MLB Stupidity

2008-03-12T08:04:00.002-05:00

It's our game, our National Pasttime. Oh, football is our passion, but baseball is still our pasttime. So why the facination to take it overseas? For REAL GAMES? Now I'm no Red Sox or A's fan; in fact, I'm with Hank on the whole "Red Sox Nation" thing. I think ESPN stands for Especially Sox Programming Nation...but I digress. For any team to have to open it's regular season half way across the world, and then resume Spring Training is ABSURD! Most of the team doesn't want to take the trip, none of the fans want to see them take the trip and what is the POINT? Baseball is already huge in Japan. Here's an idea...why not take the games to small town America! Teams won't even play exhibitions anymore in their Minor League towns. And we lost the Hall of Fame Game due to scheduling difficulties. No scheduling problem kicking the season off in JAPAN though! This is another example of the twisted management of baseball...I don't blame the Sox for inventing as many injuries as they need to. But how will Sox Nation respond if they miss the playoffs by a game or two?

Why Not?

2008-03-08T10:12:00.002-06:00

Let's see...born and raised in Kentucky, starred at Alabama, stuck in Seattle who just signed TJ Duckett and Julius Jones. Mix in the fact that Titans GM Mike Rienfeldt came over from the Seahawks and is very familiar with Shaun Alexander...kinda seems like a no-brainer to me! Look, I don't know what all the money ramifications are, but you don't go from MVP to BUM in two years. Alexander is young enough to resurrect his career in a new surrounding. Jamal Lewis had over 1300 yards for the Browns last year and a 4.5 yard average...yeah, he's washed up too.
Alexander could get back to the southeast, play on natural turf, and provide some serious veteran leadership for the Titans new look offense. The Titans have the cap room...and this is one deal that would make sense.

End of an Era...

2008-03-04T09:23:00.002-06:00

He didn't win the most championships, or have the highest QB rating of all time, but he sure was fun to watch! Several major sports outlets are reporting that Brett Favre has decided to hang 'em up after 17 years in the NFL. Favre hold most of the "most" records in the league. Most yards, most TDs, most INT's, but those things are the numbers of an accumulator. Vinny Testaverde is in the Top Ten of most of those lists as well, but you won't find him in any "Greatest QB" polls. The two things that made Favre stand out was his ability to answer the bell every week...every week, and his incredible leadership ability. Through youthful passion for the game, whether leading a 4th quarter comeback or carrying a teammate off the field in joyful celebration, Favre was a special player.
The things that made him great may have also cost him at times. Optimism, a key component in leadership, often made him think defenders were imaginary, or couldn't possibly catch his lasers. Fittingly, his last pass was an overtime interception that sent the Giants to the Super Bowl. No matter. This guy is why they invented NFL Films. He is a true legend in the history of the game...

Who Knows?

2008-03-02T20:10:00.003-06:00

UT loses to Vandy then squeaks by Kentucky, Memphis struggles with Southern Miss, UNC struggles with BC, Duke struggles with NC St. and UCLA has to hold off a sub .500 (in PAC-10) Arizona. So you tell me who's number one? Maybe Kansas, who avenged a loss to K-State...or not. The key will be, which 4 are number 1....as in number 1 seeds in the Big Dance. With so much parity, I don't see any of these teams mailing it in during their conference tourneys, which is good for the fans. But not so much for the teams themselves who can be susceptible to upset in the really big tourney. All I know is that the Madness is here, and if this past weekend is any indication, we're in for A HECK OF A RIDE!

Please Bud, Make them go away!

2008-02-28T07:29:00.004-06:00

Billy Martin once said of Reggie Jackson and George Stienbrenner, "One's a liar and the other's been convicted of it!". Well, in the case of Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, both are liars, one's been indicted and the other will be soon. And in the meantime, we are left to speculate as to who might sign Bonds and we get to watch Rocket soft toss to minor leaguers. How cute....can they come talk to my son's youth team as well?

Look, I am fully aware that the game is full of juicers, admitted and otherwise, but the difference between the Andy Pettitte's of the world and these clowns is one of compounding the error. These cheaters aren't asking for forgiveness for bad decisions, they're telling us it never happened. And soon, Clemens will join Bonds as a federally indicted liar.
Bud Selig needs to step up and ban these two from any association with the game until this is all sorted out. Like they did with Willie Mays when he worked for the casinos. Like they did with Pete Rose. And Joe Jackson. Come'on Bud, strap on a set and do the right thing.