Nothing good happens after midnight

If that ol' saying is true, then why am I on here? Insomnia, I guess. I get this way after a Tiger win in football or basketball. It's just worse tonight because my wife & daughter are out-of-town.

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Yes, Memphis beat Purdue tonight, 90-70.

There was a caller to my postgame show tonight by the name of "Lewis" which has just stuck with me through my after-work dinner & then the ride home. Lewis was quizzing us on why we believe Rodney Carney is not starting for the Tigers. I offered him my opinion, but it wasn't good enough. Without saying it, Lewis seemed to infer it was some sinister plot by coach John Calipari.

This basketball team is running like a well-oiled machine. So why are some working hard to find something contraversial? Can we not handle success? Is the no. 4 ranking too much? Did you get too much joy from all the off-court drama last season?

I don't mean to rant, but I will... enjoy this team. Since there is nothing to complain about, let's not dream up something.

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The website is coming along (forrestgoodman.com). Hats off to Fallout Design to putting it together. Give us a couple of weeks & it will be a pretty cool place to visit.

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An email from a listener suggested I podcast or something similar while I am absent from hosting a daily show. Not a bad idea.

What I would really like to do is start my own internet radio station. Music, sports, high school play-by-play... well, I can dream, right?

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Music quote of the day:

"We're all raised on radio, radio
I love my radio
Radio, Radio,
Radio, Radio"

Journey - "Raised on Radio"

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See you on the radio.

Hard to say goodbye

What a show today. It was the final edition of SportsCall on WMC-AM in Memphis. We were told Wednesday the station is flipping to a classic country format next Tuesday.

I am hoping some of you found this blog after hearing me talk about my website on-the-air today. If so, please leave a comment for me.

(Speaking of my website, there will be a LOT more to come to forrestgoodman.com in the very near future.)

Thanks to everyone for the comments. I will continue to be on every Tiger pregame/postgame show for the rest of 05-06 & I hope for many years to come.

It was great hearing today from Harold Graeter of the Autozone Liberty Bowl, Memphis Xplorers head football coach Danton Barto & Dave Chase from the Memphis Redbirds.

But it was the listener that has made this last 4 1/2 years fun. We couldn't have done it without you.

It has been a pleasure to work for WMC Radio. Having those call letters on a resume gives you instant credibility. I've come a long way since doing years and years and years of high school football play-by-play.

Happy New Year to everyone. And I will still see you on the radio...

For hire?

What a week it has been. The Tigers win their bowl game, the basketball team beats Gonzaga, my show is cancelled on WMC...

Nothing changes for the remainder of 05-06 with the Tiger basketball broadcasts, so I will still see you on the radio. However, Friday is my last edition of SportsCall.

My thanks to all of you for your support. I am quite humbled by some of the calls & emails I have received.

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Music quote of the day:

Ch-ch-changes
Pretty soon now you’re gonna get a little older
Time may change me
But I can’t trace time
I said that time may change me
But I can’t trace time

"Changes" - David Bowie

Thanks for the memories

The Tigers win the Motor City Bowl, beating Akron 38-31. The game was not as close as the score appears. And who cares, years from now nobody remembers the score, just who won the game.

And it was Memphis.

The only bad thing about yesterday's game is saying goodbye. There's the departure of Maurice Avery, Marcus West, Stephen Gostkowski and many more. Oh, let's add DeAngelo Williams to that list as well, a kid who has re-written record books and will be playing on Sunday, despite the lack of respect some media-types give him.

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Conference USA is 2-2 in postseason with Memphis beating Akron and Southern Miss winning the New Orleans Bowl over Arkansas State. UTEP lost the GMAC Bowl to Toledo and Houston was thumped by Kansas in the Ft. Worth Bowl.

Tulsa has a chance to give CUSA it's third postseason win this Saturday here in Memphis at the Liberty Bowl against Fresno State.

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There's also a little ol' basketball game tonight... no. 8 Gonzaga is in town to face the no. 4 Tigers at 6 pm at FedEx Forum.

Say what you want about coach John Calipari, the guy knows how to motivate a team. Take this quote from this morning's The Commercial Appeal concering Zags All-American Adam Morrisson :

"It's Morrison against us," he said. "The problem -- and I've tried to tell this to Rodney (Carney) -- is that we have seven or eight guys who can all score about the same. So Rodney can't get into a head-to-head where Morrison scores, so now he has to shoot it. Because Morrison is taking 25 shots, and Rodney, in all likelihood, will not unless he has it going like he did last game. But the reality of it is that Rodney can't be saying, 'Well, he did it to me, so I'm going to do it to him.' We can't play that way and beat them."

Carney had no problems teaching Duke's J.J. Reddick a thing or two about defense when the two squared off last month at Madison Square Garden.

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"Turn out the lights, the party'over
They say that all good things must end"

Okay, I'm no Dandy Don Merideth, but you get the idea. Monday Night Football is not gone... it's just gone from ABC. That's where last night's final telecast of MNF became historical. Critics claim MNF is not what it used to be. What? The NFL is better than ever, so it's not the game. I believe Al Michaels and John Madden to be two of the best in the business. That's what I'll miss.

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The rumor from Dallas over the weekend was coach Bill Parcells was considering retiring at season's end. Who can blame him. He doesn't need the money and he surely doesn't need the headache of fans who expected miracles overnight, but he didn't deliver. How quickly these same fans forget the three-straight 5-11 seasons they endured before Parcells came to town.

None of this matters because Parcell's says he ain't going anywhere. As a matter of fact he challenged anyone to step forward and admit who their source was that claimed he might retire. My only regret is I wasn't at this press conference.

And now Bill, even if you were secretly thinking about telling the lone star state goodbye so you could enjoy life, you're stuck now. So we'll see you next year.

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Who cares about a 4-11 Tennessee Titans team facing a playoff-bound and 11-4 Jacksonville team? Obviously the coaches do!

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Atlanta Falcons' coach Jim Mora has apologized for an outburst on their flagship radio station after losing in overtime to Tampa Bay Saturday, 27-24.

Radio analyst Dave Archer asked Mora why he punted on 4th-and-2 in OT, instead of going for the first down. Mora answered the question, then through the headset down and walked off. End of interview.

Should he have done it? No. Embarrassing? Yes. But should we question his emotional state? Come on!

This is football, not some damn Lifetime TV movie of the week. Mora had just coached his team to leave everything on the field. Frustration overrode professionalism. So the coach was correct to apologize. The question was fair to ask. Let's move on.

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Former Major League pitcher Jeff Reardon has been charged with armed robbery of a jewelry store.

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Indiana Pacers prez Larry Bird feels "betrayed" by Ron Artest in his demand for a trade. Someone needs to tell Artest to give Terrell Owens a call.

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See you on the radio.

Here's to a peaceful Christmas

Santa has come and gone. Seeing Christmas through my daughter's eyes is the best gift I have received.

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Great column this morning by The Commercial Appeal's Geoff Calkins this morning on Tigers football coach Tommy West and Grizzlies president Jerry West as the newspaper's "Sportsmen of the Year."

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I'll leave you with this...

Through the years
We all will be together,
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself A merry little Christmas now.

See you on the radio tomorrow.

Merry Christmas

O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt His worth

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine! O night when Christ was born!
O night divine! O night, O night divine!

Enjoy Christmas!

Silent night Holy night
All is calm all is bright
'Round yon virgin Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

I hope you alreaady have your tickets for next Tuesday night's Tigers versus Gonzaga game at FedEx Forum. If not, you are out of luck because it is sold out. Please, I beg of you... if you hold a ticket to this game, use it or make sure it gets used.

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Would Arkansas be more at home in the Big 12? Makes you wonder after last night's game they played in Dallas against Texas Tech. The Razorbacks won the contest in Dallas at American Airlines Arena in an atmosphere some said was similar to the teams Fayetteville home of Bud Walton Arena.

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Coaching rumor mill

UAB offensive coordinator Pat Sullivan is being considered for the remaining vacancy on Houston Nutt's staff at Arkansas. If hired he would become either the quarterbacks or receivers coach, depending on which group new OC Gus Malzahn decides to handle. Sullivan won the Heisman Trophy in 1971 at Auburn and had been rumored in the running for the Middle Tennessee State job opening.

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Conference USA is now 1-1 in the young bowl season. UTEP was rocked by Toledo last night, 45-13, in the GMAC Bowl in Mobile. At least Southern Miss beat Arkansas State 31-19 in the New Orleans Bowl Tuesday night, after the two teams were tied in the the third quarter.

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How about a little good news for Mississippi football fans: Coach "O" or "Uh-Oh" or "Oh-No" or whatever disgruntled Rebel fans are calling him this week inks four JuCo players Wednesday. One of those is QB Bruce Hall who played at Northeast Mississippi Community College.

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The Memphis Grizzlies got a much-needed win last night against Portland, 89-79.

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And now for today's "Strange Ebay Auction of the Day":

We take you to Harrisburg, N.C., where Ron Smith has discovered an image on a potato chip from his bog of Wavy Lays. No, it is not something of spiritual form. Instead, it's a NASCAR miracle as a number eight has been discovered on the chip. And he's auctioning it on Ebay. Look for yourself, I don't make this stuff up.

Of course the eight in the world of NASCAR belongs to Dale Earnhardt Jr. No word yet if Tony Stewart will bid on the chip just so he can eat it.

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I wrote last night how long before someone posts a PhotoShop manipulated picture of Johnny Damon, now that he's a New York Yankee and will have to cut the hair and shave the scruffy beard. Well, leave it to Deadspin.com to come up with it. They may not have been the first, but it's the first I have seen. Click here to see it.

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Late evening food for thought...

ESPN.com - NCF/BOWLS05 - TV timeout: Leinart briefly ineligible after taping promo: Should a brief appearance on a promotional spot on ESPN constitute something the NCAA should be involved in? He wasn't paid money. With the bending of rules we hear about universities doing, is this something to be worried about?

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ESPN.com - MLB - Klapisch: An offensive juggernaut: I am looking for someone who has already Photoshopped Damon in a clean cut manner.

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My Way News: Away from the sports world, obviously Sadaam Hussein has been watching too much US television & now plans on using it in his defense. Raise your hand if you are worried about his allegations of torture... anybody?

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No Titans make AFC Pro Bowl team: Are you surprised?

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DeAngelo Williams Selected For Inaugural ARA Sportsmanship Award: Tigers fans will look back one day on this kid and say he is the greatest. Oh wait... most of us already do! Thanks goodness I get to see him play one more game in a Tiger uniform.

A day off

A last minute Christmas gift or two to pick up... a handful of Christmas cards need to be mailed...

"Joy to the world! The Lord is come. Let earth receive her King"

See you on the radio tomorrow.

Countdown to tipoff

The no. 4 Memphis Tigers host Louisiana Tech tonight at 7 pm at FedEx Forum. My pregame show starts at 5:30 pm on SportsRadio WMC.

- - -

A pair of Texas football players will likely NOT be charged with any crime, according to an attorney. While I do find it interesting the allegation against one player was he was begging for money for pizza in Austin's entertainment district, I'll let it go.

Meanwhile, an Austin TV station reported Monday night that wide receiver Myron Hardy was arrested Nov. 6 for carrying a butterfly knife. Hardy, a sophomore, is redshirting this season.

Even more bad news for Mack Brown and company came Monday when player graduation rates were released and the Longhorns ranked number 113 out of 117. The numbers reflect the last three years of John Mackovic (95-97) and the first year of Brown (98). A freshman has six years to obtain his degree.

So while many coaches will throw their hands up over these numbers and proclaim their innocence, who are a few of the good guys?

- Fisher Deberry, Air Force - he graduates 91-percent of his guys.
- Joe Paterno, Penn State - he graduates 84-percent of his players, plus he's winning football games again!
- Jeff Bower, Southern Mississippi - 76-percent graduation, eight bowl games in the last nine seasons... what else can I say?

Memphis had a rate of 61-percent over this period which covers a large portion of coach Rip Scherer's era through 2000.

On the basketball side, coach John Calipari makes sure his players get a degree. That was not always the case.

- - -

The heat is on coach Bill Parcells of the Dallas Cowboys. Fans have forgotten their three consecutive 5-11 seasons before Parcells came to town.

Dallas needs a miracle to make it in the playoffs. They blew up Sunday in the loss to the Redskins. Point a finger at Parcells if you like.

But he's the best thing to happen to the Cowboys in years.

- - -

If you are a Conference USA fan, here's a must-read on Houston athletics. Athletic Diector Dave Maggard has his work cut our for him. I still shake my head in amazement at how a program with history and tradition could lose it all and not care. Maybe Maggard will help them care again.

- - -

Kentucky says the NCAA is not worried about the immaculate fax concerning Randolph Morris, so why should you be concerned?

- - -

Since Louisville left CUSA for the Big East, all I have been told by Cards fans is how happy they are to be in a "real conference." Case in point: when Louisville received their invite to the Gator Bowl, fans, columnists and analysts offered opinions on how much better this trip will be compared to Memphis and the Liberty Bowl, a game they appeared in a three times since 200.

Well Loserville, it's time to put your money where your mouth is... Gator Bowl president Rick Catlett said Monday, "To be honest, the response from Louisville hasn't been what we expected, based on what they told us they thought they could do." For the record, Virginia Tech has sold their near 13-thousand-ticket allotment.

Louisville claims ticket demand is very high; it's just fans are not buying through the university. Instead, they opt for buying directly from the bowl or though Ebay.

- - -

See you on the radio.

Busy week ahead

Mark your calendars:

Coach Tommy West joins us at the Variety Club tonight as a special sendoff for the Motor City Bowl. Come join us at 6 pm.

Coach John Calipari's show has been moved to Wednesday. Don't forget the basketball game tomorrow night against Louisiana Tech at 7 pm at Fedex Forum.

- - -

Which NFL team had the bigger blowup yesterday: the Indianapolis Colts for losing to San Diego, ending their quest at a perfect season? The Dallas Cowboys for losing to Washington, putting their postseason chances somewhere between slim and none?


My vote is for Dallas. They controlled their own destiny. Instead of sucking it up and getting it done, they just sucked. Too bad.

Meanwhile, yesterday's loss was the best thing to happen to Indy. They can now focus on the Super Bowl and not the '72 Dolphins. Oh, the Colts will win it all, too.

- - -

Meanwhile, the Houston Texans may have just lost the Reggie Bush sweepstakes by winning yesterday. The Texans beat Arizona, 30-19, pushing their record to 2-12. The win now gives their New Year's Eve game against 2-12 San Fransisco some importance, because the loser will likely become the bottow-dweller with the first pick for this year's Heisman trophy winner.

Ain't ya proud?

- - -

Let me get this straight... Mississippi State football coach Sylvester Croom has won a total of six games in two years in Starkville and that warrants a contract extension? I understand MSU is on probation for sins of the past and I understand where the program was when Croom took over. But his old contract was still good through 2007. What was AD Larry Templeton thinking to extend it through 2009? Maybe he sees something I don't, in terms of improvement.

- - -

See you on the radio.

No more pressure

The debate is over. No more hours of arguing what Indy should do... they lost today. No more talk of a perfect season. No more talk of history. The '72 Dolphins can crack open the champagne... again.

Mark my word as of this date: the Indianapolis Colts will win the Super Bowl. And that is why you play the game.

Bring on the Rebels

After a week since the win over Providence, I am in need of a Tiger basketball fix! I've got it today! Memphis meets Mississippi today at 2:30 pm. I'll start my pregame show on SportsRadio WMC at 1 pm.

- - -

The Texas Rangers have commissioned a study of their ballpark to see if the addition of a section called the Gold Club has increased homeruns. What? Does that make sense? Well, numbers don't lie. Before the club was built in 2000 there was a homerun in every 30.3 at-bats, according to Kevin Sherrington of the Dallas Morning News. Since 2000 that number has decreased to a homer every 24.9 at-bats.

- - -

This is not what Texas coach Mack Brown wanted to hear just 2 1/2 weeks before playing for a national championship: the Austin PD is investigating two alleged assaults, one of which may have involved senior cornerback Cedric Griffin. (His lawyer called it a trash-talking incident.)

One incident happened in September, the other last weekend. It's the most recent event which has Griffin's named tied to it. So who's being investigated for the first assualt which apparently happened over 3 monhts ago?

According to this PD statement, "Information obtained indicates that the individuals being investigated in these incidents are involved in the UT athletics program," the statement said. "Due to the fact that these cases are still being investigated, APD cannot provide additional information."

Hmmmm, maybe it was good I picked USC to win the game after all.

- - -

Ok, I am sick of all the news from Texas as you are, but I cannot pass this up: on Friday Longhorns' QB Vince Young defended his reaction to losing the Heisman Trophy.

Some media types blasted the guy (I did not) for saying he was "disappointed" after finishing second to USC's Reggie Bush.

"I was happy for him (Bush)," Young said. "I am a competitor. We are two great guys who were up for the Heisman. I’m happy for him. It wasn’t that I was disappointed he won. I was just disappointed I wasn’t bringing the Heisman back for my teammates, the city of Houston, the city of Austin, my family and fans. That was the point I was trying to get across, but I guess people took it the wrong way."
Don't apologize, kid. There are too many bad guys in the world of sports these days for some hacks to focus on you. And look at it this way... you ain't the first person to be upset after losing to someone with the last name of Bush.



- - -

And now closer to home...

Congratulations to my friend coach Jimmy Adams for his team's victory last night over Ridgeway. Raleigh-Egypt needed overtime to win, 71-68. The Pharaohs are very good this year... again.

- - -

A battle in the bluegrass state will be watched closely by Tiger fans today. Not only will our natural hate for Louisville prevail when the tip it off against Kentucky, a loss by fourth-ranked little Ricky and the Cardinals today would help fifth-ranked Memphis in the polls (assuming Memphis beats the Rebels).

- - -

C'mon Southern Miss fans! You are going to a bowl game so buy tickets! Only 2500-or-so tickets sold for the New Orleans Bowl at Lafayette? Wow, that is so close to Hattiesburg. What are you waiting for?

- - -

See you on the radio.

TGIF

The highlight of the weekend will be the return of Tiger basketball! Memphis meets Mississippi at 2:30 pm tomorrow. The pregame show starts at 1 pm.

- - -

Terrell Owens is back! Well, I should say his mouth is. He claims some of his teammates didn't want him to play in the Super Bowl last season. Oh, the media is out to get him, too.

For the record, I supported TO's effort to play in the Super Bowl. It's a special game. You may only get one shot. He should be commended for realizing that. But TO, the media is not out to get you, sir.

The drama surrounding him is just too much.

- - -

A lost fax... forgetful coach... the NCAA... college basketball... mix it all together and this what you get!

- - -

Why did the GMAC Bowl in Mobile choose UTEP as their CUSA rep? Two words: Mike Price.

- - -



See you on the radio

I am saving this research for the future

The next time you hear me or anyone else on the radio (or TV) say, "Offense sells tickets, defense wins championships," consider the following...

From 1970-2000, only 10 of 31 Super Bowl winners had higher ranked defenses than offenses. Only 22 of 62 AFC and NFC champions had higher ranked defenses than offenses.

Since 1970, of the 10 best defensive teams, four of the top ten did not even make the conference championship game. On the other side of the coin, 6 of the top 10 offenses won the Super Bowl, 7 made the Super Bowl, and all but one made the conference championship.

Since 1980, only the Ravens could really be described as winning the championship with great defense and mediocre offense. Even they were pretty good. From Week 10 to the Super Bowl, a span of 11 games, the Ravens averaged 26.2 points per game, an output that would have ranked them # 5 in the NFL had they maintained it during the season.

Rush defense is a strong barometer of championship potential. More than three-quarters of Super Bowl teams had a top-10 rush defense, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Nine of the past 14 participants were in the top five.

Back in the saddle again

There's a vicious 24-hour bug going around. The bad news is it will knock you down quickly. The good news is you will be back to normal in 36 hours-or-so.

I hate being sick.

- - -

Coaching rumors:

Former East Carolina head coach Steve Logan is sniffing around Chapel Hill these days. It appears he's in the running for North Carolina's offensive coordinator position.

Dan Hawkins will be named the new coach of Colorado tomorrow. I was asked yesterday if I was surprised he would leave Boise State. The question is am I surprised he would leave Boise for Colorado? Good hire for them. They need someone who can not only coach, but improve the football program's image. I believe Hawkins can do both.

Let me get this straight: Houston Nutt hires a high school coach as offensive coordinator at Arkansas, but is now looking at a former NFL coordinator for an assistant coach slot? Only in Arkansas does this make sense.

Former Western Michigan coach Gary Darnell expected to be the next defensive coordinator at Texas A&M.

- - -

Ron Artest: Terrell Owens in baggy shorts? Star-Telegram writer Jim Reeves believes Artest is worth the risk if the Dallas Mavericks want to win it all this year.

- - -

I'll reserve comment at this time on the Memphis Grizzlies and their 3-game skid (don't want to be accused of Grizz bashing). But I think this quote in today's paper says it all: "We put our heads down," Damon Stoudamire said. "I'm not going to say that we quit. But it's almost like we did quit. We didn't really compete (in the third quarter). ... I would like to see this team keep its head up and keep playing."

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck... well, you know the rest.

- - -

Southern Mississippi will play in their eighth bowl game in nine years next Tuesday night in the displaced New Orleans Bowl. Al Jones recounts a little USM history in today's Biloxi Sun-Herald.

I'll ask again, why hasn't USM AD Richard Giannini offered coach Jeff Bower a lifetime contract?

- - -

Speaking of the Golden Eagles, in case you haven't noticed their basketball team is really bad this year. Is it too quick to say Larry Eustachy ain't getting the job done? Okay, I'll back off... it's only his second season. But c'mon Larry, CUSA needs you to do better!

- - -

Are the Atlanta Brave for sale? Time-Warner says it is "exploring" the possibility. It appears fans would like to see Falcons' owner (and Home Depot founder) Arthur Blank buy the team. Could former owner Ted Turner want them again?

- - -

The New Orleans Saints are a step closer to home after a Wednesday meeting with players' association head Gene Upshaw. Good. I am tired of their whining, specifically Aaron Brooks. The quarterback made no friends in his Westwood One radio appearance during their coverage on Monday Night Football earlier this week. Jim Gray fanned the flames as Brooks cried over not knowing where they would practice or play. He tried to tug on our heart strings saying players are unsure over whether they should extend the leases on their homes.

Give me a break. After Hurricane Katrina devestated New Orleans, your job was still there. You never lost a paycheck. You are worried about the lease on your house... there are many who just want a house.

I am the furthest thing from a bleeding heart, but it's hard to feel sorry for a millionaire athlete when thousands of people on the Gulf Coast are still struggling to find some sense of normalcy.

Maybe Brooks should have been focusing more on his game. He's been benched for the rest of the season. But don't cry for him... Brooks and the rest of his Saints' teammates are receiving a $40,000 bonus from the NFL and the NFL Players Association for "performing under unusual and unanticipated conditions arising from the Hurricane Katrina tragedy."

- - -

Is there a contraversy brewing with the SEC's basketball officials? Basketball official Travis Correll of Atlanta resigned earlier this week after it became public the US Securities and Exchange Commission has filed a civil action against him. Then Wednesday the league's director of officiating John Guthrie is replaced. Was it a firing or resignation?

- - -

Music quote of the day:

"God have mercy on the man, who doubts what he's sure of"
- Brilliant Disguise, Bruce Springsteen

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See you on the radio.

Artest worth it? You make the call!

Free Web poll for your Web site - freepolls.com

Tuesday, December 13 - 2005

After careful consideration of what to do with this space I have decided to make no changes. In other words I am going to do what I was doing... pass along news stories & opinions here. Now I wish I hadn't blown up all the original site!

Oh well...

- - -

A quick blurb yesterday at Footballscoop.com read, "[i][b]Memphis:[/b] We hear they may be going to the Big East."[/i]

I was somewhat shocked at this. There's really been no legitimate talk about Memphis & the Big East since the Tigers were rejected in 2003. I emailed the editors at this website inquiring about the story & even asked them to come on my radio show. So far, no reply.

- - -

I was up a little earlier than normal this morning to join my friend Lee Shirvanian on his morning show on WNSP in Mobile. They are the host city of next month's Senior Bowl & he wanted to talk about DeAngelo Williams.

Memphis is going to miss that kid in more ways than one.

- - -

Terrell Owens turned 32 earlier this month. He held a birthday bash yesterday. Some of those spotted include: Jamie Foxx, Will Smith, Paris Hilton, Jessica Simpson, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, former Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin, former Bears coach Mike Ditka, Redskins running back Clinton Portis and Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss. Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis was a surprise name on the list as he and Owens feuded last year when Owens spurned a trade from San Francisco to Baltimore.

Eleven members of the Philadelphia Eagles stopped by, too.

- - -

Desperate times call for desperate measures: the Houston Texans have hired Dan Reeves as a consultant.

[i]"Dan's not here to interview for a coaching job," McNair said. "He's not here to make an evaluation of the coach or the general manager. He's here as a resource to assist me and other people in our organization to help us be a better team."[/i]

Yeah, right.

- - -

[b]Coaching moves & other stuff:[/b]

Rick Stockstill is in at Middle Tennessee State.

Murray State hires Matt Griffin.

Look for Jim Harbaugh to be named head football coach at Rice.

UTEP's Mike Price claims no interest in Colorado job.

Why does Southern Miss AD Richard Gianinni play media games when it comes to coach Jeff Bower? He won't comment on whether Bower will receive a contract extension after the conclusion of the 2005 season. If I were the USM AD, Bower has a lifetime contract on his desk before close of business today.

- - -

A topic of debate here in Memphis has been how in the world Louisville's basketball team is ranked fourth in the country. Obviously it's a topic of debate in Louisville, too.

By the way, congrats to Coach Cal & the Tigers for moving to number 5 in both polls. Now there's a team who has played somebody this year.

- - -

Now that homefield advantage is locked up for the Colts, what should Tony Dungy do? Rest his starters? Go for the perfect 16-0 season?

Let's look at it this way... Let's say the Colts win out in the regular season, play all their best players the whole time and sustain a couple of injuries while doing so. They still manage to get to the Super Bowl, but then barely lose.

So that's 18-1 with a 16-0 regular season, a couple of postseason wins and a close Super Bowl loss. Would 16-0 mean as much?

But what if Indianapolis plays backups, loses two of the next three and then wins the Super Bowl?

Dungy is in a no-win situation with this. Anything short of a perfect season AND a Super Bowl win will leave some Indy fans questioning him. That's not fair.

- - -

See you on the radio.

Question of the day 12/8

Consider this a practice poll. I would like to use one each day on this site & give the results on my afternoon show. Give it a try. Remember, this is just practice!

Free Web poll for your Web site - freepolls.com