Although there was no basketball game Monday, it was a big day for Memphis Tigers senior Rodney Carney, as he was named Conference USA's "Co-Player of the Week." It's his third time to receive the award this season.

Carney was also chosen a top 30 finalist for the Wooden Award. Carney leads the Tigers in scoring (18.2 ppg), three-point field goal percentage (42.2) and steals (32). The 6-foot-7 forward is ranked second in Conference USA in scoring and is also ranked among the league's leaders in steals and three-point field goal percentage.

In a related story in the morning's The Commercial Appeal, Tigers' beat writer Gary Parrish explores the question of whether Carney is worthy of consideration of "Player of the Year" honors.

"There should be three guys that they are talking about,"

head coach John Calipari said. "They should be talking about (Duke's) J.J. Redick, (Gonzaga's) Adam Morrison and Rodney Carney."

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Grizzlies' coach Mike Fratello calls last night's 86-77 win over Houston "much-needed." Let's see what happens Wednesday night against Dallas before proclaiming the mid-season slump is over. Still, momentum has to start somewhere & maybe beating the Rockets will get that ball rolling.

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For the die-hard college football fanatic, tomorrow is Christmas. It's National Signing Day, meaning it is the first day a high school senior can sign a letter-of-intent to play football for the university of his choice.

Yes, it's a holiday for some. I have known guys who take a day of vacation from work so they can sit at their team's athletic department & watch it all happen. Others stay glued to their computer or telephone getting the latest gossip.

Which players will have impact as freshmen? Which players are projects? Which players look good on paper but never pan out? Which players won't have the grades?

No one will know those answers tomorrow. Meanwhile, every college football coach in America will step to the podium & tell the media it's their best signing class ever. Some will be telling the truth, some will hope they are telling the truth & some will be just flat-out lying.

It's been fun to cover as a radio guy for many years & it's definitely something I will miss tomorrow.

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While I am somewhat of a Brett Favre fan, enough is enough. The Green Bay quarterback in an interview with ESPN over the weekend hinted at retirement... again.

"If I had to pick right now and make a decision, I would say I'm not coming back," Favre told Chris Mortensen. I wonder how many professional football players say that at the end of every season, but then come back for more & we never hear about it on this scale?

I have been just as guilty as the next guy for discussing Favre's retirement in years past when it pops up on the radar. It seems to come up for discussion a lot here lately. I felt Favre would hang'em up after 2004 after he told stories of missing his family & his youngest daughter begging him to be home more often.

Instead, he came back for a 4-12 season with the Packers, a team that shows little signs of an amazing turn-around for 2006. Mike Sherman is out as head coach, former Saints offensive coordinator Mike McCarthey is in, a move which has puzzled some.

I have also felt at times Favre carries too much of the burden of winning on his shoulders. He has realized his team was in decline for some time, so it prompted the three-time NFL MVP to take more chances, gamble a little bit, even force the ball in situations that left you scratching your head.

It appears the Packers are willing to give Brett all the time he needs to choose his next step. Even if I am tired of the will-he, won't-he game, he has earned it.

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What is the fascination with Anna Benson? Okay, other than the obvious?

And for now I'll just ignore the fact she's going to play poker on ESPN.

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Tony Kornheiser could be the next talking head to join the Monday Night Football crew. For those that have forgotten or misunderstood, MNF is not going away. MNF on ABC is no more. It's now on ESPN, which is owned by ABC. Confused yet?

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Music quote of the day:

"Don't go around tonight,
Well, it's bound to take your life,
There's a bad moon on the rise."

Creedence Clearwater Revival - "Bad Moon Rising"

Memphis Raleigh-Egypt wide receiver Duke Calhoun committed to coach Tommy West & the Tigers this morning. National Signing Day is Wednesday.

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While bragging on the Memphis Tigers being the best in Conference USA, UAB second, then third & back up for grabs, I failed to give the proper credit to UTEP. Doc Sadler's team matches the Tigers in conference play, 5-0. They are 12-5 overall, with a win at New Mexico State. The Miners had a handful of shots at making some noise against the likes Georgetown, Texas Tech & Syracuse, but failed to pull off an upset in each of those.

Still, 5-0 is nothing to discount. They will be an interesting team to follow in Febrauray as they travel to Houston this Wednesday, host UAB on Feb. 8, & come to Memphis Feb. 22.

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Some say the Big East will get nine, maybe 10 into the NCAA tournament come March. I just don't see it right now. Seven is a more likely number, & that's pretty good, if you ask me.

Louisville has fallen apart as of late, with a lowpoint coming Saturday when the Cards lost to Rutgers. The 'Ville still has road contests at Villanova (tonight), Cinci, Syracuse, West Virginia & UConn, along with USF, Notre Dame , Marquette & DePaul at home.

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The Memphis Grizzlies have two shots at home for solving whatever rut they are in, then it is on-the-road for a six-game, 10-day roadtrip. This comes at a bad time for the team as they have lost seven of their last nine & Saturday night's loss to the Hornets showed no signs of breaking the slump anytime soon.

The Grizz (25-18) host Houston tonight, then Dallas on Wednesday.

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Dallas Cowboys fans & the Dallas media are consumed with this week's Pro Football Hall of Fame selections. This Saturday 39 voters will meet & decide who gets in & who gets left out.

Yes, I find it quite amazing that only five Cowboys are in the hall. That number will at least move to six this weekend, maybe seven. Troy Aikman is a lock. So that leaves Micheal Irvin & Rayfield Wright.

If Irvin is not tabbed, I don't believe it will feed the grand conspiracy some feel there is against Dallas. Just when you thought it was okay to like the guy again & publicly support him, the reemergence of his legal woes may sour some attitudes & affect the vote.

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Fresh off his team's national championship, Texas coach Mack Brown is set to receive a raise of $300,000 for 2006, pushing his salary to almost $2.6 million annually.

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The Tennessee Titans say there will be no ticket price increase for the 2006 season. A good PR move, for sure. It will be interesting to see fan's reaction to season ticket sales later this year. The Titans have had no problems selling out games since moving to Nashville. Even last summer coming of a 5-11 season, the demand was there & season tickets were gone in no time.

Things are a little different now. The Titans went 4-12, so that means back-to-back losing seasons. Will the fans embrace the team? I don't believe there is much to worry about just yet. But fans deserve to see improvement on the field & let's hope the Titans are making that committment.

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Mike Camunas of the University of South Florida's The Oracle writes, "...for the life of me, I can’t understand why Memphis running back DeAngelo Williams is so popular all of a sudden."

Also, "Most in Tennessee will brag about his numbers and the school record he set in 2004 with 263 rushing yards in a game against USF. Yeah, those great numbers he had — against Conference USA teams. Woo hoo. The next closest rusher was Marshall’s Ahmad Bradshaw with only 997 yards and nine rushing touchdowns. A dog with three legs wearing a lampshade collar can rush for 100 yards against teams such as Houston, UCF and UTEP."

For the hundredth time I'll ask the question: if ANY back can grab 100-yards rushing against the likes of Houston, UCF or UTEP, then why didn't it happen every game this year?

It's funny, USF is one-year removed from CUSA & they must have totally forgotten they were once part of the league. After all, Bulls running back Andre Hall was much more deserving of the hype, according to the author of this column, comparing his one season in the Big East to that of LSU's Joseph Addai & the SEC. Puhleaze!

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Music quote of the day:

"They call me the breeze, I keep blowin' down the road.
Well now, they call me the breeze, I keep blowin' down the road.
I ain't got me nobody, I don't carry me no load."

Lynyrd Skynyrd - "Call Me the Breeze"

At halftime of today's Arkansas/Kentucky game on CBS, analyst Seth Davis proclaimed Memphis coach John Calipari as his pick as coach of the year. He added Memphis should win CUSA, the conference tourney, & then become a no. 1 seed... Davis says they there would be no doubt Cal is it, especially considering how young the team is.

Nice to see ol' Seth coming around.

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Today provides the stark reality that football season is over. I see a little college basketball on my program guide, some NBA & even Arena Football. Oh, before the hate-mail starts, there's the Winter X Games on ESPN. Yippee.

Sure, there's one big game yet to be played in just a week. But then that is it & a nearly six-month depression starts. The good news is national signing day is Wednesday; spring practice is only a few weeks away; Danton Bartow's Xplorers will help whet my appetite for the pigskin.

The good news: the Daytona 500 is only three weeks away!

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Today's Senior Bowl was barely in the record books when an email appeared in my in-box asking what I thought about DeAngelo Williams now. Did he live up to his billing? Did his stock drop?

Slow down, partner...

The Senior Bowl is more than just playing in the game, which Williams did & represented the University of Memphis with pride. For the past week DeAngelo & all those invited have been worked out by NFL staffs & were monitored closely by coaches from every team in the pros.

I am yet to find one negative story about the smiling kid from Wynne, Ark.

Williams purchased 60 tickets for his family, wrote one reporter. Mel Kiper Jr. wrote on ESPN.com that DeAngelo was the best in practice the entire week.

DeAngelo Williams will be just fine.

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I do hope Memphis kicker Stephen Gostkowski turned enough heads this week to get a shot.

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For those in the "Tigers should be winning by more" crowd, today's basketball game was for you. Memphis beat UCF, 94-61.

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We all know that Texas A&M is the "home of the 12th man." I hadn't realized they registered it as a trademark in the 1990s. Well, neither had the Super Bowl-bound Seattle Seahawks, who started using the "12th man" moniker in the early 1980s.

So what happens next? Does this end up in court? Does every announced which has used this worn-out cliche throughout the years owe the Aggies some money?

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No update this morning, maybe later today...

If you found this blog after listening to Focus On Racing Radio, please make sure to take part in my poll over at ForrestGoodman.com. I'll pass along the results on next weekend's show. This poll will remain up until Monday.

Feel free to drop an email - the link is to the right.

As I predicted on these pages yesterday, Memphis vs. UAB came down to the wire, with the Tigers winning by seven, 73-66.

As is the growing norm on my postgame show, some folks just aren't happy with a win by the no. 3 team in the country. Forget the fact Memphis is 18-2... forget the fact Memphis is 4-0 in CUSA.... forget the fact Memphis owns wins over Gonzaga, Mississippi, Cinci, UCLA & Bama... forget the fact Memphis is currently the only top 5 team that's losses came to ranked teams (thanks to a caller for pointing out this great stat).

This was a huge game for the Blazers last night. Although it's still January, last night's game carried big implications in the CUSA regular season title. Clearly, Memphis & UAB are the best in conference. On paper, both should be favored to win out the rest of their regular-season games until the two meet in early March in Birmingham.

A UAB win last night would have given them the edge over Memphis for the title & the much-coveted no. 1 seed in the CUSA tournament. For UAB to achieve that goal now, the Blazers have to win out, beat Memphis again, plus hope that someone else can upset the Tigers. Not an unbelievable scenario at all, after all, this is college basketball.

Another wise caller to the postgame show last night added to my scenario the fact a UAB win last night on the homecourt of the no. 3 team in the country would have been valuable come selection Sunday. Good point.

Look, Mike Anderson is a good coach, UAB is a good basketball team & I am not going out on a limb prediction it will be a war (again) when the Tigers & Blazers meet March 2 at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN2.

In the meantime, there is a lot of basketball to be played, so enjoy this team.

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The older I get, the faster time flies. Imagine my shock when I read this morning that Steve McNair is heading for his 12th year in the NFL! Seems like yesterday a friend convinced me to come watch McNair at Alcorn State. "When this guy is in the NFL, you will be able to say I remember when...," was what he said. Glad I listened.

When McNair led the Titans to the Super Bowl six years ago, there was no way you could convince me that would be his only shot so far at a championship ring. With work already underway on the 2006 season, this is the case. McNair is set to receive a $9 million salary this year, something the team GM says is do-able, although he would prefer negotiating something more salary-cap friendly. Oh, there is also a $1 million buyout of a $50 million contract extension on the table that has to be dealt with as well.

McNair's agent asks, why should his client take a pay cut?

There's no doubt McNair is still a quality QB & belongs in the NFL, yet his best years are likely behind him. Will that future be with the Titans? Or the Dolphins, as some have suggested? Or somewhere else? All questions that need to be answered, but only after Floyd Reese decides if McNair is really worth $9 million bucks.

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College football's national signing day is next Wednesday. Several schools have their eyes on on wide receiver Duke Calhoun of Memphis Raleigh-Egypt.

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Yes, folks, it's true... there is a such thing as "Big Ben's Beef Jerky," officially endorsed by Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger! Only $8 & includes shipping & handling. Your Super Bowl party won't be complete without it!

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Sorry for the short blog this morning...

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Music quote of the day:

"So why don't you slide
Yeah, I'm gonna let it slide"

Goo Goo Dolls - "Slide"

Wow, I am finally in here. I have been trying since 8 a.m. to get in here & make a post, but I kept getting an "under maintenance" page. Oh well, all seems to be working fine now.

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It's gameday & I believe tonight will be a battle between Memphis & UAB. The Tigers are clearly best in CUSA, although the Blazers are in the midst of a 10-game winning streak & probably realize a win tonight makes them a contender for the regular-season crown.

The Blazers own wins over Oklahoma State, Nebraska & others. They are playing without the services of Demarrio Eddins as he was lost for the season to a torn Achille's tendon earlier this month.

I am not normally into predictions, but I feel comfortable stating this one goes down the final minutes before it's decided.

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Yet another example of how missing freethrows & losing a game translates into positive press: Washington battles back from haunting misses reads the headline in the Birmingham News, recounting the story of Darius Washington's missed shots against Louisville last year. Good read from writer Ray Melick. If you read the story, you just might recognize a quote or two in there from yours truly.

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In case you're wondering whatever happened to former Southern Miss basketball player Jasper Johnson, he's become quite successful on the division II level with Delta State. He's averaging 21 points-per-game & is shooting 58-percent from the field. DSU is currently no. 11 in the country, with a win over d-1 Lamar in their pocket.

Johnson left the Golden Eagles in the middle of the 04-05 season after being informed by coach Larry Eustachy that he didn't fit into the team's plans.

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Charlotte Observer Scott Fowler weighs in on the ridiculous technical foul called on Houston coach Tom Penders at UAB last weekened:

"To be 'Pender-ed' should be short form for having insult heaped upon injury, either in sports or in life."

In case you missed it, Penders, who has a heart problem which is controlled by a pacemaker, fell to his knees right after a questionable foul was called in the game against the Blazer. The ref assumed it was an overreaction from the coach, so he T'd him up. Even after Penders is administered oxygen & carted off the court on a stretcher, the technical stands & UAB converts both shots at the freethrow line.

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It's the halfway mark of the Memphis Grizzlies' NBA season & the team stands at 25-16, a franchise best after 41 games. If they keep this up, it's a 50-win season.

While I scratch my head sometimes at coach Mike Fratello, get angered by Pau Gasol or just turn off my TV in frustration, you cannot argue with success.

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Recently retired NASCAR driver Rusty Wallace will be in the TV booth starting next year. Wallace is joining ESPN/ABC's second-half-of-the-season coverage of the Nextel Cup Series starting in 2008. NBC is still set to pick up coverage in July of this year.

Since 2001, Fox & NBC have shared the NASCAR contract, with Fox getting the first-half of each season. That deal continues with ESPN/ABC.

Just like their NFL broadcasts, I believe Fox does a great job with NASCAR & that goes back to the personalities involved in the broadcasts. Darrell Waltrip is more popular today for his commentary than he ever was on the racetrack.

I am hesitant to believe Wallace will provoke the same positive feelings from viewers, but I could be wrong. Guess we'll find out next year.

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Former Memphis running back DeAngelo Williams has grabbed the attention of the media in Mobile for this weekend's Senior Bowl.

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Music quote of the day:

"If you arrive and don't see me
I'm going to be with my baby
I am free - flying in her arms, over the sea"

Brothers Johnson - "Strawberry Letter 23"

Traffic here on the blog & over at forrestgoodman.com is growing everyday. You'll notice at my website there are a couple of audio cuts up & there will be more. My original plan was to put some of my interviews on there in case you missed the show. Well, there's no more show... so the audio that is on there is more for future employers to listen to.

I still think it would be neat to start an internet-only radio show. I have most of the tools to do it already, except a decent way to plug in phone audio for guests. Maybe one day...

Don't forget there is a comments section at the end of each post. Please take advantage of it. There's also an email link on the right-hand side of the page, so drop me a line.

Also, take a moment to share this blog with your friends. Or link to me from your website. Thanks!

As I predicted, Memphis freshman center Kareem Cooper was suspended yesterday for his possession arrest early Monday morning. This is the right thing to do. You have to send a message through some form of punishment, but dismissal would have been too severe.

What the public won't see or understand is the punishment Cooper will receive in practice. There's a reason coach John Calipari is allowing him to practice with the team. First, it keeps him in game shape. But second, it allows the coaches to remind him of the doghouse he is in.

Coach Cal & the University of Memphis did the right thing.

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College football coaches are taking advantage of technology in the battles of recruiting. Todd Willis of the Dallas Morning News writes this morning about the latest craze: cell phone text messaging. As Willis explains, "NCAA rules limit the number of times a coach can call a recruit. During a so-called "dead period," a coach may make no more than one phone call a week per recruit. But nothing stops a coach from texting "U can call me later" to a recruit and getting a call back."

It seems a rule adjustment by the NCAA in 2004 looks at text messages from a cell phone the same as an e-mail, fax or instant message & those are not limited.

I was hesitant to come into the text-messaging world. My wife on the other hand, lives by it. She purchased a plan allowing it on my cell phone & we use it to communicate regularly, especially if I am on-the-air or don't want to chance calling my house & waking up my almost two-year old.

But for recruiting? You have to hand it to coaches for staying up on the latest fad with teens, but where do you draw the line? Then again, if a recruit grows tired on the constant messaging he can just ignore the... or even turn the phone off.

Welcome to 2006.

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Georgia football coach Mark Richt is expected to receive a contract extension & raise today. Richt is currently trhee years into an eight-year deal paying him $1.5 million annually. Today, that puts him the middle of the pack in pay to SEC coaches, as Auburn's Tommy Tuberville, UT's Phillip Fulmer & Florida's Urban Meyer make $2 million or more.

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UCF coach George O'Leary is on the verge of inking an extension with the Golden Knights. There's no specific dollar figure just yet, but AD Steve Orsini says they will make it lucrative enough to wear O'Leary will want to retire there.

The coach currently makes $720,000 a year, plus bonuses, which puts him towards to top of CUSA in football coaches salaries.

Meanwhile, no surprise, UCF is expected to LOSE money from participating in the Hawaii Bowl.

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While on the subject of coaches & raises & extensions: Houston's Art Briles had two years added on to the end of his contract with the Cougars. His deal now runs through 2010.

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So Ron Artest has nixed his trade from Indiana to Sacramento. Makes sense, right? The guy who missed most of last season after creating one of the most embarrassing moments in professional sports feels he has leverage.

Mark Stevens is Artest's agent. In a statement to Steven A. Smith Tuesday night, Stevens wrote:

"Ron Artest did not want to be traded to Sacramento weeks ago, and he does not want to be traded to Sacramento now. Basketball is Ron Artest's passion. In order for Ron to fully demonstrate his natural skills and abilities, to the best of his abilities, he not only must be in an environment that is conducive to his growth an development as a player, he must also ensure that his family is happy and content as well. Ron does not believe that will be the case if he were in Sacramento. Period. However, as mentioned earlier, Ron is deeply committed to the sport of basketball and desperately misses playing the game he loves. If the trade is made he will play for his new team, regardless of how he may feel about it."

Artest is set to meet with the Pacers' front office this morning.

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The New Yord Daily News reports this morning that Knicks president Isiah Thomas has been hit with allegations of sexual harassment. According to the paper:

Anucha Browne Sanders, the team's former high-profile senior vice president of marketing, filed papers against the hoops great in Manhattan Federal Court yesterday - claiming Thomas called her a "b----" and asked her to have sex.

She said when she refused his advances, the 44-year-old married father replied: "What? I can't get any love today?"

Thomas' lawyer calls the plaintiff an opportunist looking to extort money.

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It's funny to read the crying & moaning from a handful of columnists around the country upset the media allowed the NFC & AFC Championships to overshadow Kobe Bryant's 81-point performance against Toronto. Oh the horror that Sports Illustrated put Shaun Alexander on the cover, instead of Kobe!

What Kobe did was noteworthy, but it was a regular-season game; the NFL games were the "Final Four" of the sport. It doesn't matter if both games were decided before the fourth quarter, the NFL is bigger news. Period.

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The season is barely past the half-way point, but the college basketball coaching rumors are swirling. The latest has Wake Forest's Skip Prosser going to Cincinatti; John Beilein of West Virginia replaicing Prosser; former Cinci coach Bob Huggins taking over Beilein at WVU, Huggy's alma mater.

Where there's smoke, I believe there is fire. Too many columnists & TV talking heads are describing this scenario.

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Congratulations to Memphian Loren Roberts & his win last weekend on the PGA Senior Tour. He's one of the good guys of professional sports. And in only his seventh senior event, he has already eclipsed the million-dollar mark.

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Music quote of the day:

"And I'm free, free fallin'
Yeah I'm free, free fallin'"

Tom Petty - "Free Fallin'"

Memphis center Kareem Cooper was busted for pot early Monday morning in Millington. I am sure the Tiger-haters around town are rejoicing there is finally something negative about what has otherwise been a very positive season.

This may shock some of you but plenty of college kids still smoke marijuana. Now that doesn't make it right, but it also means that this is not a unique case or situation. The more troubling part of the story is Cooper was allegedly driving while under the influence of the weed (the officer reported the obvious odor coming from the vehicle) & to me that is more serious than the actual possession.

The Tigers improved to no. 3 in the country yesterday, just behind UConn & Duke. This bad news doesn't take anything away from what this team has accomplished. It's now a matter coach John Calipari must deal with how he sees fit, then use it as an example to the rest of the team that there are consequences to your actions. Punishment in practice? Suspension? Or...? I am sure we'll find out today.

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I am not sure how the progress is coming with Ed Orgeron's fence around Memphis, but Tigers coach Tommy West may be working on one in Oxford. QB Matt Malouf committed to Memphis yesterday, although one northeast Mississippi newspaper reported midday Monday that the announcement of his decision may be delayed.

Malouf passed for over 2,200 yards & 21 touchdowns in his senior season at Oxford High, leading his team to the State 4A finals.

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There's just something odd sounding about Toyota in NASCAR. "There's Michael Waltrip in his no. 77 Camry taking the checkered flag!" Yup, that's weird.

It was no surprise when the Japanese auto manufacturer announced they'll compete in the Nextel Cup Series starting in 2007. After all, Toyota has been in the truck series since 2004 & somehow NASCAR survived.

I say that tongue-and-cheek, because several stories I have read which were written by stick-and-ball guys with no understanding of NASCAR (along with an unwillingness to try to understand) are pretending that the average blue-blooded, flag-loving, Gordon-hating NASCAR fan will turn their nose up because "One of them there foreigners" has a car on the track.

Wakeup, folks. NASCAR left behind the stereotype you are imagining years ago. No longer does the sport carry a regional appeal in the South. NASCAR has deserted some traditional southern races so to expand to the west. Why? Market demands.

When football season comes to an end in a couple of weeks, the Daytona 500 will not get here quick enough for me.

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While Roger Clemens said last week he wouldn't ponder returning to Major League Baseball until next month, then decide in March where he might play, the Texas Rangers are taking no chances. Owner Tom Hicks is personally handling the matter, as he drafted a letter Monday to the 43-year old pitcher. I am sure it contained lots of begging & even a couple of "Steinbrenner sucks" comments.

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Bizarre story of the day: A teacher in Beaver Falls, Pa., forced a 17-year old student to sit on the floor & take a test because the student wore a Denver Broncos jersey to school two days before Denver lost to Pittsburgh in the AFC Championship. The teen also claims the teached made students throw crumpled up paper at him.

Now if those actions aren't begging for the family & an opportunistic lawyer to go after the teacher, the school & the school district, this quote from the teacher will only fan the flames: "If he felt uncomfortable with it, then that's a lesson," according to John Kelly.

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Kobe Bryant's 81-point game Sunday night, 19 short of Wilt Chamberlain's record-setting 100-point effort, has the sports world buzzing over what records are in jeopardy & which ones will never be broken.

- Joe Dimaggio's 56-game hitting streak: unlikely
- Cal Ripken's 2,632 consecutive baseball games played: unlikely
- Barry Bonds' 73 homers in a season: possible, but not with MLB's new steroid policy
- Nolan Ryan's 5,714 strikeouts: unlikely
- Miami's 17-0 season in 1972: likely, look how close Indy came this season
- Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 majors: likely, thanks to Tiger Woods
- UCLA's seven-straight NCAA basketball titles: unlikely, I dare say NEVER to this one

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I wrote on this blog Sunday that I had no idea collapsing on the floor & requiring medical attention was worth of a technical foul in college basketball. But that is what happened to Houston coach Tom Penders Saturday night against UAB.

The official assumed when Penders fell to his knees he was overreacting to a foul called on the floor. After the coach was taken out on a stretcher you would think the refs waive the technical, right? Nope.

On Monday, Conference USA said, "It appears that the crew exercised poor judgment in sustaining the technical foul following the medical condition that arose for Coach Penders." The conference office added that appropriate action will be taken in the matter.

Penders has a history of heart problems & has lived with a pacemaker since 1997.

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Got a few grand lying around the house? You could be the owner of a 1995 Nebraska National Championship ring for sale on Ebay.

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Music quote of the day:

"When you believe in things that you don't understand
Then you suffer
Superstition ain't the way"

Stevie Wonder - "Superstition"

As I expected, Memphis moved to no. 3 in both national polls today. UConn is first, followed by Duke, then the Tigers. That's very nice company to be in.

Now it's time for me to get nervous over the showdown with UAB this Thursday night.

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Lost in all this Kobe Bryant talk of his 81-point game yesterday is the fact the Lakers are still only 22-19, 4 1/2 games behind Phoenix. Kobe is great as a one-man show here lately, but this is the NBA & it takes a lot more than that to make the playoffs... or win championships.

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Away from sports, anyone else addicted to "24" starring Keifer Sutherland? I've watched it since the first episode premiered in November 2001 & it's still just as good more than four years later.

I also highly recommend "The Shield" & "My Name Is Earl."

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After the football doubleheader yesterday I watched the latest episode "The First 48" on A&E which I had recorded on my DVR. This week's edition features Memphis homicide & Sgt. Tony Mullins, a great Tiger fan that I visit with occassionally during football season. I am not sure if he ever reads the blog, but I want to tell him great job. Oh, & it was cool seeing your Memphis pennant at your desk.

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At least one NFL teams believes in coach recycling, as Buffalo hired Dick Jauron today. He was 35-46 in five seasons with the Chicago Bears, with only winning season. That came in 2001 when he was named coach of the year, but watched his 13-3 Bears get tossed early from the playoffs.

Most recently Jauron was defensive coordinator for Detroit, then finished 2005 as interim head coach after the dismissal of Steve Mariucci in November.

Jauron becomes the Bills fourth head coach since Marv Levy retired after the 1997 season.

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Music quote of the day:

"Catch a cannonball now to take me down the line
My bag is sinking low and I do believe it's time
To get back to Miss Fannie, you know she's the only one
Who sent me here with her regards for everyone"

The Band - "The Weight"

I cannot believe I am about to say this, but I grew bored with the NFC championship. I predicted Seattle would win, but I had no idea Carolina would forget to show up. The Seahawks dominated this game in front a great home crowd. The final: 34-14. (Carrie Underwood singing the National Anthem turns out to be the highlight of the evening.)

And now a few observations:

- This is the Seahawks' first Super Bowl trip, the third for head coach Mike Holmgren.
- If Seattle is to win the Super Bowl, who has to have a bigger day: Matt Hasselbeck or Shaun Alexander? That's a tough question to answer.

Earlier today, the Steelers punched their Super Bowl ticket asthe Steelers beat Denver, 34-17.

My take:

- Even at 33, Jerome Bettis still has great feet. This will be his first Super Bowl appearance.
- The Steelers' defense gave Jake Plummer fits; how many sacks did Plummer shake off?
- Did I hear one of the CBS announcers refer to the Steelers' dominance in the 1970s as the "Iron Curtain" or is there something about Terry Bradshaw we don't know about?
- The Steelers have had two coaches in my lifetime: Bill Cowher & Chuck Knoll; it's time for Cowher to win a Super Bowl.
- Was Jake Plummer wearing his old Arizona jersey under his pads today? He sure played like it.
- The Broncos season was barely dead & gone before Houston announced Broncs' offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak as head coach. A contract will be negotiated later this week.

Memphis beat Southern Miss last night, 85-68. Hats off to the Golden Eagles, they played their hearts out & the Tigers still won. Rodney Carney & Shawne Williams had both fouled out by the 7:52 mark of the second half & the Tigers still won.

I was expecting a quiet postgame call-in show. It was early Saturday evening with other basketball games to watch on the tube, so that typically means less calls about the game. That trend was holding true until a caller named "David" started his call identifying himself as a Tiger fan, but...

"But" is always a sign to watch out: a drive-by calling was about to happen.

I don't remember the exact words spoken, but the word "stupid" came up several times in his 45-second rant. He pointed out the Tigers should have won by 50 points, but instead settled for the 17-point margin of victory.

Instead of blasting the guy, hanging up on him or interrupting his babble, I waited until after his rant & asked him what more does want to see the team accomplish this year. Memphis is number 4 in the nation, 17-2 overall, 3-0 in Conference USA, quality wins over Cincinnati, Gonzaga, UT, & UCLA...

Then he hung up.

It's college basketball. Strange things happen. No. 8 Gonzaga won at San Diego by a point; how about North Dakota State upsetting Wisconsin? Before yesterday how many of you knew NDSU's mascot was the Bison?

Heck, no. 6 Texas only beat Baylor by 19. Let's apply the same rule & they should have won by twice that margin since Baylor has only played four game this season!

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How wild is it all three undefeated teams remaining in division 1 basketball lost on the same day? I predicted Tennessee would beat no. 2 Florida; I didn't see Georgetown beating no. 1 Duke coming; St. John's beating no. 9 Pitt was not really a surprise.

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If you are a Memphis fan, did you pull for Tennessee to beat Florida? That loss will surely help the Tigers move up at least to third in both polls. Were you cheering for Louisville to beat no. 3 UConn? I know, I know, that may have been asking too much & the Huskies won anyway.

When the polls are released, I predict UConn is now no. 1, followed by Duke, then Memphis.

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Scary moments in Birmingham last night as Houston coach Tom Penders collapsed just before halftime in his team's loss to UAB, 82-79.

Little did I know collapsing on the sidelines of a basketball game warranted a technical foul. Yup, Penders got T'd up when he fell to his knees because the official thought he was reacting to a questionable foul called against his Cougars. Penders was then taken off the court in a stretcher by medical personnel, but the official refused to rescind the technical. UAB's Cardell Johnson hit both freethrows.

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According to the Clarion-Ledger, Pvt. Timmy Bailey of Avon, Miss., committed to Mississippi State yesterday. Coach Sylvester Croom promised him a spot on the team would be waiting on him upon his return from Iraq.

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Today feature the NFC & AFC championships. I just warned my wife to get all the chick-movie-watching out of her system because to me, today is bigger than the Super Bowl. The football games are usually better & I have found Super Bowl Sunday is when all the amateurs come out & pretend to care about professional football. If you watch today, you are a fan.

Pittsburgh at Denver, 2 p.m. - The Broncos' Jake Plummer is the only thing that saved my team this year my fantasy football league. He was a player I picked up in the late rounds & was laughed at. Okay, back to reality, Plummer is yet to lose a game at home this season. And for Denver to win, they need his arm & leadership as the Steelers will be a hard team for them to run against. I am trying not to be tainted by my dislike for Denver, but I still think the Steelers win this one & Jerome Bettis get a shot at a championship ring.

Carolina at Seattle, 5:30 p.m. - The Panthers are dynasty building. Okay, it's hard to type that with a straight face, but it was just two years ago they were in the Super Bowl & lost to New England by a field goal. And let's face it, the Patriots are the closest thing right now to a NFL dynasty we've got. I'll take the Seahawks to win & making their first appearance in the Super Bowl in their 30-year history.

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I am happy to read the news this morning that Indy coach Tony Dungee tells ESPN he will be back to coach the Colts next season.

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LeBron James' mom was arrested Friday night for DUI & disorderly conduct. What's more shocking: the arrest or the fact she was driving a 2004 Escalade? C'mon, LeBron, you can afford to put momma in at least '05 or '06 ride.

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Music quote of the day:

"Give me steam
And how you feel can make it real
Real as any place you've been
Get a life- with the dreamer's dream"

Peter Gabriel - "Steam"

I don't have much time to spend here this morning, but I will try to return this afternoon. In the meantime, consider the following:

- this could be a "Jake" weekend in the NFL. Jake Plummer of Denver & Jake Delhomme of Carolina both stand a good chance of leading their teams to the Super Bowl, but they have to win this weekend first. If it happens, I am sure it will be the first time in professional football history both QBs in its biggest game are named Jake. I'll give my picks later, but after going 1-3 last weekend, don't place any money on my choices.

- I cannot get friggin' CommercialAppeal.com to load this morning. Somehow I am feeling setup by that young paperboy who showed up at the door to sell me a subscription. When I tried explaining to him I can get what I want from the website, he asked quite innocently, "What if you don't have the internet?" I didn't realize he was either preparing me or setting me up for this morning.

- if you blog on a regular basis, let me know. I am putting together more links for the right sidebar. Keep in mind just because you ask, doesn't mean it will show up. I prefer to feature sports blogs, although it's not limited to just that area. I am also trying to find other Memphis bloggers. There's an email link on the right side.

- more college football coaches kept their jobs year, as firings tied a record low - only nine - the same number of coaches fired in D-1A in 1996. The NCAA started keeping track of coaching dismissals in 1947. Meanwhile, 10 of the NFL's 32 teams made changes at the helm so far.

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Music quote of the day: (in memory of Wilson Pickett, who died yesterday)

"Mustang Sally
Guess you better slow your Mustang down"

Wilson Pickett - "Mustang Sally"

In the 2006 edition of the NFL coaching carousel, I find it interesting there is less recycling than normal. As each name is announced, I find myself having to research the guy, as he comes to the fore from an assistant's job with another team.

Take for instance the hirng of Rod Marinelli at Detroit. What gives Lions fans hope that this guy can turn around 50 years of futility? Bobby Ross couldn't get it done & he came with a Super Bowl appearance at San Diego in 1994, their first in franchise history. Steve Mariucci failed at San Fransisco, so what made you think he could get the job done in Motown?

Marinelli is also a veteran of the NFL. Does that mean he's battle-tested or is there a reason why he's never been a head coach? Sorry, I don't mean to pick on the Lions...

For those of you keeping score:

- the Jets have hired Eric Mangini, a young guy that can only help the team over the long run, or maybe not; makes me feel old though because the guy is my age.

- the Packers choose Mike McCarthey, I guess because he ran such a stellar offense at San Fran this season (for the record, last in the league).

- the Saints chose Sean Payton, a brilliant move if he's succesful (then again, ain't they all).

Now what will the Raiders, Rams & Bills do?

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As Thursday wore on, I read more & more about Antonio Davis & his trek into the stands last night, supposedly to protect his wife. Sportsblog Deadspin.com has posted an email from someone who alleges Antonio's wife was not totally innocent:

"When the game went into overtime, the intensity obviously increased. A fan (the balding fellow mentioned in Jay Mariotti’s column today) who was sitting two rows directly behind her, was rooting loudly for the Bulls. He did not say anything offensive. He did not swear. He was just rooting for the Bulls. It appeared that Kendra didn’t like it that someone was rooting against her husband. She got up and went to the guy’s seat (he remained seated the whole time) and started waving her hands in his face. She kept telling him to “calm down” and “relax,” and the guy kept telling her to get away from him. He was not at all confrontational. She called a member of the Bulls security staff over and told him what had happened from her perspective. He did nothing to discipline the fan since he apparently did nothing wrong.

At that point, another fan sitting nearby asked her to sit down because she was obstructing his view of the game. She immediately ran over and started screaming at him, repeatedly sticking her finger in his face. He asked her to stop sticking her finger in his face, but she continued to do it and he grabbed her finger to defend himself because he didn’t not know what her intentions were. As he held her finger, she lunged at him with her other hand, and he grabbed that one to protect himself. He pushed her hands away from him, and at that point Antonio Davis arrived at his seat. There was a Bulls security person who restrained him from going after the fan. Davis was then escorted back down to the court.

Security talked to a number of people and quickly determined that Kendra Davis was at fault. She and her kids were escorted from the section. The balding fellow left his seat for a short time to give his statement and returned to his seat a short time later. Nobody was ejected, nobody was arrested."

I still don't equate what Davis did to the actions of Ron Artest & his schoolyard antics at Detroit in November of 2004. Tonight, Davis was suspended five games for his actions.

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Last night's game between Memphis & UT lived up to all the hype. While the Tigers won it, 88-79, this one left you on the edge of your seat as you realized how important each possession was to the outcome.

Tennessee's Dane Bradshaw backed up his mouth by having a career night with 21 points, 10 rebounds & four assists. Answering the call for the Tigers was Shawne Williams with 21 points & 14 rebounds.

A stat lost in the afterglow of the win was the Tigers continuing improvement in free-throw shooting. It's a stat we worried about on the postgame show for several games & the one thing that would bring complaints, even after a win. Let's be honest, if Memphis doesn't shoot better than 75-percent at the charity stripe last night & this game could have ended with the visitor going home a happy bunch.

Here's the Tigers' FT percentages the last 10 games:

vs UT 76%
vs SMU 50%
vs ECU 75%
vs Winthrop 82%
vs MTSU 74%
vs Texas 75%
vs Purdue 77%
vs Gonzaga 52%
vs La Tech 59%
vs Mississippi 65%

The Tigers trip to Hattieburg should result in a nice road win for the team Saturday. I use caution writing this because strange things can happen at Southern Miss.

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Elsewhere around CUSA:

SMU beats ECU in OT, 74-70.

UAB has won nine straight after beating Rice, 75-68. Something tells me the Blazers won't roll over for anyone, especially the Tigers. That game should be a lot of fun come Jan. 26.

UTEP beats Tulane, 75-47, moving to 3-0 in CUSA.

Marshall loses at Tulsa, 66-57.

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While there were no reports of a meeting in a team plane in the cover of darkness, as I mentioned here yesterday Louisville coach Bobby Petrino's name was being tossed about in some circles for the Oakland Raiders job. Either the heat was getting to Petrino or Al Davis turned him down, because Petrino issued a statement at 11 p.m. last night. You mean this couldn't wait until this morning?

"I understand my name is being mentioned in connection with job openings in the National Football League, but I want to reiterate my commitment to the University of Louisville, our players and all of our Cardinal fans. The University of Louisville has been great for me and (my) family, and I'm committed to fulfilling our goal of taking the program to the next level."

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Southern Miss football coach Jeff Bower recieved a two-year contract extension Wednesday, keeping him in Hattiesburg through 2009. I don't hide the fact I admire Bower. I think he is a good coach & a good person. Just like Tommy West at Memphis, I can proclaim Bower is GOOD for CUSA.

In Bower's 15 years at USM, he's 103-72-1 with four conference titles, nine bowl appearances & 12-straight winning seasons.

I really don't understand what is stopping USM athletic director Richard Gianini from offering Bower a lifetime contract, other than I think Mississippi law prevents that from happening. There was a needless delay a couple of years ago in getting Bower an extension. I get the feeling this extension had to be forced, but you would never know it reading comments from Bower.

"Those are personal, and I want them to stay that way," Bower had said. "I'm not going to say anything about it."

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I remember watching Carolina's Ken Lucas play high school football at East Side High School in Cleveland, Miss., almost 10 years ago. The recruitment of Lucas became a story & his eventaul decision to attend the University of Mississippi over Mississippi State left a lot of folks grumbling.

I knew Ken's mom because she was secretary for the Bolivar County Emergency Operations Center & was very proud of her son. If my memory serves correctly, she wasn't too excited when Ken chose the Rebels. But Gary Thigpen had convinced Ken that the university was an okay place. Then-coach Tommy Tuberville did an excellent job selling himself & his program to Mom & the rest is history.

Lucas joined the Panthers before the 2005 season to the tune of a six-year deal worth $36.5-million dollars. He'll face his old team, Seattle, for the NFC championship this weekend.

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If you are an Atlanta Braves fan longing for the days of Ted Turner's ownership of the club, ask yourself this question: Why would he want to own the team again? The price tag is expected to be somewhere around $400-million dollars.

A spokesperson for Turner dismissed him returning to ownership of the team, calling Ted, "a been there, done that kinda guy."

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After my postgame show last night, I was flipping around the AM dial on the ride home to see what else was going on in the world of sports. That's where I happened upon a show speaking of a NBA player who went into the stands... again. Visions of Ron Artest & the ugly 2004 incident between the Pacers & Pistons entered my mind.

After getting home & reading the entire story, it was explained Antonio Davis went up to protect his wife who was being heckled, maybe more, by fans. No punches were thrown. Davis stood watch until security arrived, then returned to the bench where he was ejected for leaving the court. The refs did the right thing because a rule is still a rule.

I tend to agree with Knicks coach Larry Brown: "Come on, that's his wife," Brown said. "That's entirely different. I was worried about Kendra. That's why he went in the stands, he saw her falling back. That thing that happened in the stands had nothing to do with the two teams. That's a man concerned about his family."

Last night's incident is further proof that the NBA needs to do better at security & crowd control at their games. Alcohol, fans, athletes & their wives could turn into an ugly mix.

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Speaking of fan stupidity, someone through a rock through a window of the home of NFL ref Pete Morelli. The number of adults who don't act like adults scares me. This is a prime example.

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Music quote of the day:

"Purple haze All in my brain
Lately things just don't seem the same
Acting funny but I don't know why
'Scuse me while I kiss the sky"

Jimi Hendrix - "Purple Haze"

It's not just any gameday for the Tigers, at least not for me. Tonight Memphis hosts Tennessee at FedEx Forum. Regardless of what Vol fans might say, this game is big to UT. Consider the following:

UT coach Bruce Pearl insists he wants Memphis on the schedule, just not in January. You & I both know he wants to play in Memphis to recruit. Why wouldn't he? Now try to swallow this quote: "I don't know what it does for recruiting. We're in the Southeastern Conference, you know. They're in Conference USA."

Has Pearl looked at the current Tigers? Has he seen who the committments for the future are? How many of his players would he trade for freshman Shawne Williams? Antonio Anderson? Oh, coach, in case you didn't notice there's a number four besides the name Memphis. I understand that is a foreign object at Tennessee & whatever directional school you came from before Knoxville. Don't you have a conversation to go tape with a recruit?

I fully expect it to be loud tonight when the Tigers play. I expect the crowd could be somewhat hostile. How will Pearl react? Or former White Station standout Dane Bradshaw? If their game at LSU is any indication, get ready.

The student section chants the name of Bradshaw, that we know for sure. What happened next is up for debate. Reports are Pearl raised Bradshaw's hand just before placing him in the game with 1:07 left to play. After sinking a three-pointer, some say Bradshaw gave the throat-slashing sign to fans. Others say he gave them the middle finger. Bradshaw denies both.

LSU coach John Brady said within earshot of several reporters after the game that Pearl needed to show some class. "Act like you've been there," he added. Sounds to me like Brady is dead-on. But he's the one being villified for speaking the obvious.

Was Bradshaw intimidated?

"Coming from Memphis, where you have life-threatening fans, I never heard anything too bad," Bradshaw said. "I'm not scared of a frat kid at LSU. I'm more scared of a gang-banger in Memphis."

What an embarrassing comment for both Bradshaw & UT. C'mon Tiger Tiger Blue Crew. You guys have your work cut out for you tonight.

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Yes, it is game likes this & stories like this that make me really miss my old show.

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I was 1-3 in my NFL picks last weekend. Another reason I don't gamble on sports!

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Meanwhile, several NFL teams are scrambling to fill their coaching vacancies:

Several websites insist Fresno State's Pat Hill is still in the mix for the Oakland job, although he could put an end to that rumor today if he announces he's staying with the Bulldogs. Louisville's Bobby Petrino is now being mentioned. Tampa Bay assistant coach Rod Marinelli has interviewed for the job three times & is believed to be the actual frontrunner.

It appears the New Orleans Saints will hire Dallas assistant Sean Payton. A press conference is scheduled for this afternoon.

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Music quote of the day:

"Sitting in the morning sun
I'll be sitting when the evening comes
Watching the ships roll in
Then I watch them roll away again
I'm sitting on the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
I'm just sitting on the dock of the bay
Wasting time"

Otis Redding - "Dock of the Bay"

I won't be able to update the blog again until Wednesday morning.

Thanks,
Forrest

My NFL playoff picks for the weekend:

Washington at Seattle: It has been 22 years since the Seahawks won a playoff game. As for the Redskins, wasn't it just a year ago folks were saying the pro game has passed Joe Gibbs? Washington has nothing to hang their heads over, but Seattle wins this one. (Bonus: Redskins coach Joe Gibbs: Three Super Bowl wins, one loss; Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren: One Super Bowl win, one loss)

New England at Denver: I hate the Broncos (I am a Raiders fan). But even with my dislike for Shanahan & company, I'll try to remain objective... The Patriots win. Okay, seriously for a moment. Jake Plummer & the Broncs are 8-0 this season at home, inlcuding a win over New England. Then look at Tom Brady & his stellar 10-0 postseason mark. This one should be fun! (Bonus: Patriots coach Bill Belichick: Three Super Bowl wins in the past four years; Broncos coach Mike Shanahan: Two Super Bowl wins)

Pittsburgh at Indianapolis: The Steelers have had two coaches in my lifetime... Chuck Knoll, now Bill Cowher. You gotta admire that. But Indy has dominated headlines this year. Can Peyton win at New England? Can the Colts go undefeated? When you talked NFL, the Colts dominated the discussion last fall. Add to it the tragic loss of coach Tony Dungy's son & Indy just might have most of America pulling for them. And don't we really want a Colts vs Pats matchup next week? I'll take Indianapolis in this one.

Carolina at Chicago: The collision of two tough defenses will happen when these teams meet. It was 20 years ago the Bears were cocky enough to do the Super Bowl Shuffle, but hey talk-the-talk if you can walk-the-walk, right? It's good this team didn't book any studio time to record a lame rap song, but I do think they can beat the Panthers.

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The hunt for head coach at New Orleans continues. Fired Packers coach Mike Sherman was interviewed Friday, fired Rams coach Mike Martz is talking to them this weekend. The New Orleans Times-Picayune confirms Fresno State's Pat Hill has been contacted, but there is no mention of Auburn's Tommy Tuberville.

Meanwhile, the scrambling has started to make sure the Superdome is ready next fall.

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John Thompson is out at South Carolina as co-defensive coordinator after taking a leave-of-absence, even missing the team's loss to Missouri in the Independence Bowl. School attorneys confirmed Thursday they were working on a buyout on the remaining two years on his contract.

That's too bad for Thompson. I really thought he had rebounded nicely after being fired too quickly as head coach at East Carolina. But that's the way college coaching goes, especially when working for Steve Spurrier. Thompson will reappear somewhere soon on the sidelines.

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CUSA today:

Houston was a top 25 team in mid-December. Now they are off to a 0-1 start in conference. The Cougars (9-4, 0-1) play at UCF (6-7. 0-1) at 7 p.m.

East Carolina (6-8, 0-1) makes their longest roadtrip of the season when they meet UTEP (8-5, 0-1) tonight at 8 p.m. Then again, UTEP will likely be the longest roadtrip of the season for CUSA teams that travel to El Paso.

UAB (11-3, 1-0) has won seven straight, the longest win streak in coach Mike Anderson's tenure with the Blazers. He'll likely get number eight tonight at Marshall (7-6, 1-0). Tipoff is at 6 p.m.

Southern Miss (7-9, 1-0) plays at Tulsa (5-9, 0-1) at 4:30 p.m.

Rice (7-7, 1-0) meets Tulane (4-9, 0-1) at 7 p.m.

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So that leaves us with no. 5 Memphis hosting SMU tonight at Fedex Forum. This will be the Mustangs second nationally ranked opponent in their last three outings. For those expectng a cakewalk, this team lost to then-no. 12 Oklahoma earlier this month, 50-47. Meanwhile, some Tigers fans were not happy with the 10-point win at ECU Wednesday. "Does Memphis take too many 3s?" has been a question asked over & over on messageboards & sportstalk radio. I remind you, the Tigers are 14-2 & fifth in the country... the wheels ain't falling off this bus.

Senior Rodney Carney has found consitency & is thrilling to watch. He needs just 34 points to move to 13th on CUSA's career scoring chart. Former Tiger Kelly Wise currently holds the slot. Rodney also needs eight more three-pointers to surpass former teammate Anthony Rice for the school record.

Tipoff is at 7 p.m. Join me at 5:30 p.m. for the Tiger Pregame Show on WMC-AM.

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How can you not like DeAngelo Williams? I read the story this morning about his workouts at the D1 Sports Training facility. Add his personality & character to his ability to carry a football & this guy is going to enjoy a nice pro football career.

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Music quote of the day:

"Take it easy, take it easy
Don't let the sound of your own wheels
Drive you crazy
Lighten up while you still can
Don't even try to understand
Just find a place to make your stand
And take it easy"

The Eagles - "Take It Easy"

An afternoon update

There are some interesting rumors floating around sportstalk radio & the internet today. Here goes:

- Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville will interview for the New Orleans Saints job. This I am being told this is a hot topic in a couple of SEC towns.

- Fresno State coach Pat Hill will interview for the Oakland Raiders job. Hill has already interviewed for the Houston Texans' head coach's office. It's also believed he'll talk with the powers-that-be with the Saints & St. Louis Rams. Hill is well aware his name is making the rounds. He released a statement Wednesday telling teams they have a 10-day window to talk to him. "Because that window does not meet the schedules of some of the NFL teams, I will not be interviewing with every team that has expressed an interest in me," Hill said. "There are, however, some teams that I have spoken with and will continue to have discussions with until that window closes. That window will not be extended, however, and if that means it will remove me from consideration for a head coaching position in the NFL, then so be it."

Great! I just realized it is Friday the 13th. Now I am not a real supersticious guy, but with all that has happened the last two weeks, should I venture outside? This morning we record Focus On Racing Radio, so there's no hiding in bed for the day.

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Here's an interesting article on 13s in sports. Is this just what the doctor ordered to cure your triskaidekaphobia?

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Rick Reilly of Sports Illustrated fame ticked off Dallas Cowboys fans earlier this week when he took off on Troy Aikman. Reilly was on ESPN Radio's Dan Patrick Show. "Just because you wear a star on your head, you're a Hall of Famer?" Reilly asked.

That's simply not true. The Cowboys have played in eight Super Bowls, won five, but only have five members in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Yes, I was just as surprised as this stat as you are. Mel Renfro was last in 10 years ago.

Three Cowboys have a shot this year at the Hall: Aikman, Michael Irvin & Rayfield Wright. Three from one team has happened before, as recently as 2000 when San Fransisco got Joe Montana, Ronnie Lott & Dave Wilcox in the HOF. The Steelers have 17, the Raiders stand at 12 & the Dolphins with eight.

However, if only two Cowboys make it this year, does it uncover some grand conspiracy? Or is it the 39-member selection committee deciding to allow the continuing legal woes of Irvin to go away. Which leads to the question, will that ever happen?

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Who knew all the woes of the Tennessee Titans could be solved by a group of reporters, talk show hosts & retired players? That's the plan with WTVF-TV in Nashville as the station introduces the group to discuss the Titans' problems during the station's sportscast each Sunday night at 10 p.m.

"It think it's going to be a heck of a show," station sports director Hope Hines told The Tennessean newspaper. "I told everyone I've invited, 'We're not coming in here to softball it.' It's going to be hard hitting, no holds barred. We're going to tell it like we see it and like we know it to be. I want to talk about what's wrong with the Titans and what needs to be done to get them out of this situation."

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"Today it was like, 'Wow.' It's like, I can't believe I'm doing this bad."

- Michelle Wie, after shooting a 79 in the first round of the PGA Sony Open, placing her next-to-last on the leaderboard.

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I cannot wait to see Glory Road. But as with any movie, remember, Hollywood sometimes stretches the truth or slightly distorts the facts. ESPN.com's Page 2 has a great "reel life" comparison to what really happened.

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Bush tells the pros no, instead opts for his senior year in college. Okay, it's not Reggie Bush... we already know the story there. Louisville's Michael Bush announced Thursday he'll return for the Cards '06 season. But Courier-Journal columnist Jerry Brewer describes the announcement as "cumbersome."

Interesting.

I am reminded of a year ago when DeAngelo Williams of Memphis told Tiger fans he would be back. The standing-room-only crowd at the athletic offices erupted in applause. The moment captured on radio & TV will live forever. It has become a tale of sorts for some fans to recount where they were when they heard DeAngelo was staying.

Why not the same for Louisville?

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For the first time in his three years as coach of Alabama football, Mike Shula has a vacancy on his coaching staff. Defensive ends coach Paul Randolph is now assistant head coach & defensive coordinator at Rice University, new Owls coach Todd Graham announced Thursday.

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Music quote of the day:

"Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future"

The Steve Miller Band - "Fly Like An Eagle"

Through all of the complaining & criticism on the postgame show last night of Memphis only beating ECU by 10 points, let's not let the fact the Tigers won on-the-road get lost in all of this.

The play of the game happened when Darius Washington dove on the floor to secure a loose ball, then called a timeout. Coach Cal & his teammates hugged him. The smile on Cal's face was a moment I will not soon forget. What just happened is what he's been preaching since he got here. And here was Darius, a kid who's been injured a good part of the season, making the play & possibly saving the game for his team.

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Gary Parrish of The Commercial Appeal has the line of the day, proving once again that the fence comment uttered by Mississippi's Coach "O" will live in infamy: "...the Tigers seemed willing to accept an offer to shoot open 3-pointers and launched one jumper after jumper as if Ed Orgeron had built a fence around the lane."

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Around CUSA:

Wasn't Houston in the top 25 just a few weeks ago? Someone needs to remind the Cougars as they open of conference play with a loss to Rice, 71-62.

UTEP snaps a three-game losing streak. The Miners beat SMU, 80-67.

Southern Miss scores a much-needed win over Tulane, 67-55.

Marshall beats UCF, 73-69.

UAB looks really good & Tulsa looks really bad in conference opener. Blazers win, 84-54.

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UCF athletic director Steve Orsini is being mentioned for the AD job at Georgia Tech. Dave Brain announced his retirement yesterday, as he battles Crohn's disease.

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It appears instant replay will stay in college football. It's been a topic of conversation this week at the American Football Coaches Association convention in Dallas. I can go with that, but let's make two changes:

1) a uniform policy for all conferences
2) allow a coach's challenge, like the NFL

Officials need to be trained & tested over instant replay as well. At times their appeared to be confusion on the sidelines in various games, giving you the feeling some refs weren't quote clear on what was reviewable or how it should be handled.

Coaches are being surveyed about instant replay, along with adding an exhibition game, an early signing period & a ban on Friday night play.

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Got any extra cash lying around? The Atlanta Braves are for sale. You could be the next Ted Turner.

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Music quote of the day:

"And I still hear the soft southern wind in the live oak trees
those Williams boys they still mean a lot to me, Hank and Tennessee
I guess we're gonna be what we're gonna be
So what do you do with good ole boys like me?"

Don Williams - "Good Ole Boys Like Me"

Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin is a finalist again for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And by the numbers he should be. Irvin is the Cowboys all-time leading receiver with 750 catches for almost 12,000 yards & 65 touchdowns in his career.

Think of what a story this could be. An outstanding wide receiver which conquered his personal demons will live in football history in Canton. Sounds nice, right?

Irvin has had his fair-share of second chances. You would think he would have learned from his mistakes after drug arrests in 1996, 2000 & 2001.

But Irvin's arrest in December for misdemeanor drug paraphanelia reminds us of his past & leads us to assume he hasn't learned his lesson. Oh, don't forget the allegations of jury tampering in his 1996 trial which came to light a month ago as well.

The 39-member HOF selection committee seems to only be paying attention to Irvin's on-field accomplishments, by him making the cut as one of the 15 finalists in a year where there are numerous worth candidates. Can Irvin clear the next hurdle when the committee chooses a maximum of six inductees on Feb. 4, the day before the Super Bowl?

That's anybody's guess.

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Yes, I am an Oakland Raiders fan. There wasn't much to cheer about in the 2005 season. So the HOF committee could really make the Raider nation smile by giving John Madden the nod next month.

Sure, Madden only has one Super Bowl ring, but his teams played in the AFC championship seven times in 10 years. Madden did this in an era when Don Shula, Tom Landry, Chuck Noll were in the midst of their own hall of fame careers. Heck, Madden coached against 10 of the 20 coaches residing in the HOF & retired with a winning record against all of them.

Let him in!

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Along with Irvin & Madden, other finalists include: Harry Carson, L.C. Greenwood, Russ Grimm, Claude Humphrey, Bob Kuechenberg, Art Monk, Warren Moon, Derrick Thomas, Thurman Thomas, Reggie White & Gary Zimmerman.

Where's Richard Dent? Kenny Stabler?

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CUSA news:

Conference play opens up in basketball for most teams tonight. Memphis (13-2) is the real deal with a no. 5 national ranking & wins over Gonzaga, UCLA & Alabama. UAB (10-3) is likely second-best & should be a postseason team, although the loss of Demarrio Eddins hurts. Houston (9-3) made a brief statement last month cracking the top 25 before South Alabama brought them back to earth.

That's your top three. The rest of the order of finish is anyone's guess. UCF (6-6) had a last-second loss to Kentucky, which we are finding out is not as good as years past, but could make a run. Maybe it will be UTEP (7-5) which is trying to solve personnel problems... or Marshall (6-6) which fell just short of the upset against top 25-ranked George Washington.

Tulsa (5-8), Southern Miss (6-9) & Tulane (4-8) will all fight for bottom-of-the-barrel in CUSA.

Tonight Memphis opens up CUSA action at ECU (6-7); Marshall visits UCF; Tulsa meets UAB; UTEP takes on SMU; crosstown rivals Houston & Rice meet as conference foes.

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Houston coach Art Briles quietly believed this could be a CUSA championship year for his Cougars. It didn't happen & changes are underway to his staff. Defensive coordinator Ron Harris, wide receivers coach Rodney Blackshear & strength & conditioning coach J.D. Berna are out. Alan Weddell has been hired as DC, while Jason Phillips moves from cornerbacks to his old job as receivers coach.

And reports are more changes are on the way.

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In the SEC, all I can say is wow! Who predicted Vanderbilt marching into Rupp Arena & beating Kentucky? Okay, admittedly this ain't your typical Wildcats team. But to keep beating that drum only takes away from Vandy's win. And that's not fair.

The much-anticipated return of Randolph Morris by the Kentucky faithful at least gave fans something to cheer about.

This could be a long season for Tubby.

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ESPN reports USC running back Lendale White will enter the NFL draft this year.

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In a desperate move to attract attention & even attract fans to its sport, the Indy Racing League has signed Gene Simmons of KISS to help promote the series. Simmons has also co-authored a song which is available on the IRL's website.

I don't know who I feel more sorry for: the IRL for having to rely on some old-time rock-and-roller or for Simmons because obviously he needs the cash to get involved.

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Music quote of the day (in honor of Gene Simmons);

"You show us everything you've got
You keep on dancin' and the room gets hot
You drive us wild, we'll drive you crazy
You say you wanna go for a spin
The party's just begun, we'll let you in
You drive us wild, we'll drive you crazy
You keep on shoutin', you keep on shoutin'

I wanna rock and roll all nite and party every day"

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See you on the radio today with the Tigers pregame show at 4:30 p.m.

Something I forgot to mention in my morning post

The Shield returns tonight for its fifth season. Its crude, rough & definitely the best cop show on TV. Let's hope this is not the final season.

It feels strange to be job hunting. I haven't had to do this in almost seven years. Sure, I keep a resume saved on my computer, but now it's different. I am obsessing over it. Is it too long, too short, too detailed, too vague?

Don't even ask about my demo CD. I put one together yesterday with a segment I co-hosted on Focus On Racing Radio, a few minutes of SportsCall & play-by-play.

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For those of you who found your way here via my website, thanks for stopping by. I promise the website will get better. My webmaster is doing a great job. However, I am holding him by not providing all of the content we need. I spent two hours last night writing my bio, which brought back some interesting memories in my almost 20-years in radio.

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What a crazy week in college basketball. There were so many upsets that the Tigers loss to Texas last week only cost them one spot in the rankings as Memphis slipped from fourth to fifth-place in the country.

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It appears Denver offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak is the frontrunner for the Houston Texans' job. The problem is the team has to wait until the Broncos' season is over before talking to him.

So in the meantime, Houston is parading coaches in-and-out the door to appear like they are looking for the best candidate. For example, Fresno State's Pat Hill was there yesterday.

When a head coach is named, there is sure to be a further shakeup on the Houston staff. Kippy Brown has been the receivers' coach there for four seasons & will hopefully have a shot at sticking around. He even interviewed last week for the job. I hope he lands on his feet. This former Tiger knows football. With stops at several NFL teams, hopefully a head coach's job is in his future.

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Former Melrose High standout Antonio Heffner is transferring from South Carolina to Tennessee State. A press release from the Gamecocks offered this quote from coach Steve Spurrier: "Antonio will transfer to Tennessee State, where, hopefully, he will be their starting quarterback in an offense more suited to his talents."

Heffner said he considered coming to Memphis, but decided against it because he would have to sit out a year under NCAA rules. That rule does not apply to Tennessee State since they compete in Division 1-AA.

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Conference USA notes:

UTEP football coach Mike Price is looking a for a few good wide receivers, as national signing day looms February 1.

UAB football coach Watson Brown is still looking for a defensive coordinator. It's been almost a month since he fired Wayne Bolt.

Marshall basketball coach Ron Jirsa says he's familiar with CUSA, although this is the Thundering Herd's first season in the conference.

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Coach "O" has ended his search for an offensive coordinator. I wrote on this blog yesterday he was set to talk to former Miami OC Dan Werner & former 'Canes line coach Art Kehoe. Well, it appears the two will be joining the Mississippi staff after being fired by Miami coach Larry Coker.

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The press release from ESPN tries to put a positive spin on the announcement, but anyway you cut it moving Stephen A. Smith from early evening to latenight is a desperate move to attract viewers. Starting Jan. 30, "Quite Frankly" will air at 10 pm CENTRAL on ESPN2 so he can "offer immediate reaction to the top sports stories of the day," according to the network.

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Say what you want about Kobe Bryant & the Lakers, the guy is playing like a man-on-fire here lately. Kobe scored 45 in LA's win over Indiana last night. He's the first player since Wilt Chamberlain to score at least 45 points in four-straight games.

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Former Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick is an idiot. His behavior & antics got him kicked off the Tech football team last week, so he makes a big deal about going to the NFL. When your image is in a major need of an overhaul, what should you do? Visit a children's home? Help little old ladies cross the street? It's a start.

But what does Vick do? He's arrested Monday after allegations he pointed a gun at three teenagers at a McDonalds in Suffolk, Va. A witness says the teens were taunting Vick, so he pointed a gun at them to scare them.

Maybe Vick should give Maurice Clarett a call. They could start their own gang consisting of talented athletes that screwup their careers & turn to a life of crime. Sounds like it would make a good movie-of-the-week.

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While I am no Cowboys fan, I have grown to respect Bill Parcells over the years. Some of the Dallas faithful may be growing impatient, but Parcells agreeing to a contract extension is a good thing.


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Music quote of the day:

"Ob-la-di ob-la-da life goes on bra,
Lala how the life goes on,
Obladi oblada life goes on bra,
Lalala how life goes on."

The Beatles - "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da"