My Corner of the World

2007-01-15T06:58:00.000-06:00

- "24" is back & last night's season premiere kept me up past my bedtime. I got a late start because I was stuck on the Pats comeback against the Chargers. Also, if you would rather not see a spoiler regarding the show, I suggest you stay away from the Drudge Report.

- Speaking of the Pats, how 'bout former Tiger Stephen Gostkowski kicking what would be the game-winning field goal. We knew watching him here in Memphis this kid would win big games one day in the NFL. Little did we know it would come in his ROOKIE season!

- Customer service is dying in some businesses out there. If you are on the front-lines out there in retail, you would be amazed at how something as simple as thank you can affect your business. One of my tricks is I will not conduct business whether it be ordering a burger or paying for a newspaper unless the clerk greets me. I am getting cranky in my old age.

- From a Swedish newspaper: A 20-year-old Swedish man could face up to five years in prison for stealing condoms while holidaying on the Thai island of Phuket.

"I was drunk and needed condoms," the man told Expresssen.

His new acquaintance agreed to wait at the bar while he left to take care of business. But when he got to a nearby 7-Eleven he was in such a rush that he neglected to go to the counter. Instead he stuffed the condoms, a toothbrush and some throat lozenges into his pocket and took off out the door.

"He could get five years in prison," police sergeant Adis Adisakyakam told Expressen.

- Slap Hillary is fun game to pass the time.

2007-01-02T09:51:00.000-06:00

Happy new year & welcome to 2007. Yes, I've already screwed up two checks by writing the wrong date. I should have 2007 committed to memory before March, though.

- - -

Hopefully 2007 will bring me more time to update this space. I like doing it. I see potential for things we can do here. Heck, at it's peak last year before my return to full-time employment the hits were growing. It's a great way to stay in touch, it's convenient & it's a creative outlet, too.

D-I-S-C-I-P-L-I-N-E.

- - -

What better day to return than when contraversy was sparked once again by the Memphis mayor. It seems Willie Herenton wants a new football stadium. It's an election year & it should be interesting to see how it plays out.

We had several guests on Memphis Morning News this morning on NewsRadio 600 WREC. You can go to our website & hear several interviews regarding the matter, including Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson & city councilman Jack Sammons.

- - -

2006-12-11T10:25:00.000-06:00

Wow, two months to the day since I last updated this thing. So much has happened in that timeframe. I will start updating again real soon. Call it my New Years resolution before it actually becomes 2007.

Until then, Go Tigers!

2006-10-11T16:04:00.000-05:00

I have been glued to my TV this afternoon over coverage of the small airplane which struck an apartment in NYC. I am now in shock as I read the plane was owned by Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle & he was killed in the accident.

Wow...

2006-10-09T07:18:00.000-05:00

It's back to work today to get a little rest! After rolling in off the roadtrip from Birmingham somewhere around 3:30 a.m. Sunday, I slept too late & never really got all 8-cylinders going for the day.

- - -

I do like short roadtrips, except for the last hour. Those miles take forever. Add to it I am not a coffee drinker & I no longer smoke, so I cannot rely on the caffeine or nicotine kick.

- - -

A 1-4 start for the Tiger football team is disappointing, frustrating & very surprising. I am still having a hard time trying to even write about it here. Please come by or listen to the Coach Tommy West Show tonight at 7 p.m. on NewsRadio 600 WREC.

2006-10-08T11:34:00.000-05:00

Man, it's a long drive from Birmingham to Memphis after a football loss. I made the decision earlier this week to drive down & back in one day. The anger & frustration after the game at least made it easier to stay awake, as I finally pulled into my drive a little after 3 a.m.

- - -

Instead of commenting on the game (or the aftermath) right now, I'll wait.

2006-10-03T06:49:00.000-05:00

Brian Davis wants to buy a NBA team. His college buddy Christian Laettner will co-own, along with others.. He has the Grizzlies in his sights.

Davis wants to keep team president Jerry West involved with the team. Davis told reporters he will offer "The Logo" a lifetime contract. Good move.

Davis says he won't move the team from Memphis, as he plans to make this home to his family. Again, sounds good & time will tell. I learned long ago never say never.

Pardon me if I proceed with cautious optimism. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is... but Davis says the right things & has done nothing for me (at least today) to question his credibility.

Davis & Laettner will invest $40 million apiece, plus be joined by two "major institutions," two high-net-worth individuals, plus add two or three local minority owners. Eventually, Davis wants to make a $500 million to $1 billion investment in the area surrounding FedEx Forum.

- - -

2006-10-02T06:24:00.000-05:00

I am hesitant to write much about the pending sale of the Memphis Grizzlies basketball team since the gritty details are not public yet. That happens this morning at 10 a.m.

It's been heavily rumored for months that a group headed by former Duke player Brian Davis was negotiating to purchase Michael Heisley's 70-percent share in the team. But long before those rumors, it was whispered long ago the Chicago businessman wanted out. And there were various things that happened which pointed to it as well.

Again, while trying to withold judgement until the final details are released, I find quite a bit disturbing about this story. The obvious red flag is the Commercial Appeal's report that the first casualty of the purchase would be team president Jerry West.

Ok, enough said, er, uh, typed. Listen to NewsRadio 600 WREC for all the details.

2006-10-01T09:27:00.000-05:00

Tennessee beat Memphis yesterday, 41-7... more on that in a moment.

- - -

From the CA: Anticipated roadway nightmare of game and fair averted

Huh? Ok, I cannot speak for anywhere else but Southern because that is where I sat in the same spot for nearly an hour (7:30 to 8:30 am). And to be fair the article claims that is where most of the problems were. And maybe the probs were isolated there & traffic can be deemed a success. But what I witnessed was chaos. The right lane was backed up as people wanted to turn right into the Coliseum parking lot. But folks driving in the left lane sped up to beat all the right lane traffic & then promptly cut-in... that's called impeding traffic, but nobody stopped it.

- - -

Also from the CA, Tennessee overwhelms toothless Tigers

Toothless Tigers? Ok, hard to argue with that one. What I will argue with are a couple of claims made on my postgame radio show yesterday afternoon.

1) The team & coaches gave up: I call BS on this one. I promise you that was a statement made from a fan that gave up by leaving at the end of the third quarter. The TD at 3:44 in the 4th wasn't from a team that gave up. I think this caller had confused exhaustion with giving up.

2) The Coach ain't worth the money he is paid: everytime a game is lost the first thing disgruntled fans do is point to the $$$. Here's where you are wasting time with that argument... what a coach is paid is irrelevant because you still expect the same result, right? And that would be wins, whether he makes $100,000 or multi-millions. And ultimately, high-priced coaches get their results or they don't keep their job.

3) Why aren't we recruiting (insert high school name here): perception is reality, whether it's the truth or not. NCAA coaches cannot specifically talk about who they are recruiting, so some disgruntled fans assume we just don't recruit them.

Finally, if you have questions about playcalling, recruiting, giving up, salaries, schemes, etc., Tommy West will talk to you about it. Yup, I guarantee it. I am yet to see the man run from one single question. His radio show is tomorrow night at 7 p.m. on NewsRadio 600 WREC. The number is 1-866-489-7043.

- - -

Ok, about the game itself... I am very disappointed. I was expecting it to be closer & more competitive. It seems after the bogus offsides call which negated an interception-returned-for-touchdown, things started spiralling downwards. Would things have been different had that not been called? Probably not. But you never know & BS calls shouldn't dictate the flow early in what was still a competitive football game.

Folks, let's be honest. Things are scary right now. Next Saturday's trip to UAB is as big as they come & Memphis hasn't beaten the Blazers since 1999. But the good news to all of this is there are eight games left to play & this season could take a positive turn. Fans are just down & worried because they did not see a glimmer of hope through yesterday's loss.

- - -

Just to totally change the subject, but one of the worst-kept secrets in the city has come to light: Michael Heisley is sharing his stake in the Memphis Grizzlies to a group led by Brian Davis.

Several news outlets have reported since the spring that a deal is imminent. Well, add the Commercial Appeal to the mix, as they quote sources in the NBA in this morning's edition.

2006-09-28T10:53:00.000-05:00

I guess the Memphis Flyer doesn't think I am a nice guy. Their best of Memphis edition is out & my old talk show "SportsCall" ranked third (tied with Chris Vernon) by the readers, although the show has been gone from the air for almost nine months. The Flyer writes, "National asshole Jim Rome edged out local nice guys Dave Woloshin, formerly of SportsCall, and Chris Vernon for second."

I co-hosted the show from September 2001 until its final airing on Dec. 29, 2005. As a matter of fact I did most of that final program solo.

Add "Try becoming a nice guy so I will get my name in a weekly newspaper" to my list of things to do in 2007.

- - -

Congrats to my current station NewsRadio 600 WREC for no. 1 as best AM station & co-worker Mike Fleming for best local radio talk show.

- - -

Two days from now the Tigers host UT. The weather will be perfect & the 11 a.m. start means less complications when dealing with Mid-South Fair traffic. The pregame show starts on WREC at 9 a.m.

- - -

On a trip to Memphis yesterday Gov. Phil Bredesen was asked about his reelection campaign for governor, crime, jobs... all the typical questions. I ended the short get-together by asking him a question he didn't expect. I asked Bredesen who he was pulling for in Saturday's football game between the Tigers & Vols... his media relations person quickly intervened with a nervous laugh telling him to be careful.

Bredesen gave the politically correct answer I expected, stating "He hopes it will be a good football game." I wonder if he'll take my suggestion of wearing a blue hat & orange shirt, just so fans of either school don't get mad?

- - -

UT atheltic director Mike Hamilton wants to limit the number of times Memphis & Tennessee play football in the future. A story in the Tennessean states Hamilton prefers two games over a 10-15 year period, not the current 10 games over 20 years.

Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson joined us on Memphis Morning News today on WREC. He said he was disappointed to hear that & will work to keep the series alive in both football & basketball.

- - -

2006-09-28T06:18:00.000-05:00

Terrell Owens says it's a big misunderstanding... he would never try to take his on life. His publicist smugly claims there's 25-million reasons for him to stay alive, in reference to his big-time contract with the Dallas Cowboys.

Jack Linstrom KZPS radio says the story is overblown as everybody tried to scoop everybody else. By Parcells press conference Wednesday, he calls it the biggest media circus he's seen since Jerry Jones bought the team and fired Tom Landry.

I believe this story is much ado about nothing. Someone, somewhere got his wires crossed. Owens is all about Owens. He's not going to stop that train from rolling.

BREAKING NEWS:

2006-09-27T08:20:00.000-05:00

8:15 a.m. - Fox News reports that KDFW-TV in Dallas says a police reports claims Terrell Owens told police he was trying to harm himself by taking prescription drugs. Owens is currently out with a broken finger. It was originally reported that Owens had an allergic reaction to pain killers he was taking for his injury.

Update 8:25 a.m. - Dallas police expected to hold a press conference; last official report says Owens still in the hospital recovering from "allergic reaction" to painkillers.

Update 8:34 a.m. - Star-Telegram.com reports: T.O. tried suicide

Update 9:30 a.m. - Dallas coach Bill Parcells to hold press conference today at 1 p.m.

Update 10:15 a.m. - Dallas police are doing damage control, stating there is no criminal investigation into this matter. According to the AP, Police Lt. Rick Watson said during a brief news conference that he could only confirm that paramedics called police to say they were taking Owens to the hospital. He said no more details would come from the police because no laws were broken.

2006-09-26T07:30:00.000-05:00

Even though I don't get a chance to update the blog as much as I would like, I do keep an eye on the site statistics. Dozens of searches for Mississippi football coach "Ed Orgeron" have led folks to stop by for a click or two.

Of course curiousity got the best of me wondering why the sudden interest in Orgeron. It seems there is an internet rumor stating the coach had a run-in with a neighbor. A quick search found the following:

Loser With Socks: Update on the Coach O rumor...

- - -

The changes made to the Memphis defense by Tommy West are intriguing. Will it mean a drastic turn-around for that side of the ball this weekend against UT? Probably not, but who knows. That's why you play the game, right? West reminded us on his radio show last night that he did not remove Joe Lee Dunn as defensive coordinator just because of the ECU loss... so add to it he did not remove JLD just because Tennessee was next on the schedule.

Our broadcast for Memphis vs UT starts Saturday morning at 9 a.m. on NewsRadio 600 WREC.

- - -

What they are writing:

Orlando Sentinel, on mid-week CUSA games: While Memphis Coach Tommy West bemoans the academic effect of traveling to and from mid-week games, he said he likes the games from a football perspective.

"We've played on every day of the week except Wednesday since I've been coaching," he said. "I don't really care what day we play on as long as we have ample time in-between to prepare and recover from the previous week. Academically it can be an issue at times, but I don't see a real effect from a football standpoint."

- - -

Vols coach Phillip Fulmer will be a guest Friday morning on Memphis Morning News on NewsRadio 600 WREC. I'll pass along a time later.

- - -

The rumor mill is churning out fears in Alabama that IF there is a change at the University of Miami this season, the 'Canes will come calling for Auburn's Tommy Tuberville.

- - -

Uh-oh: Conference USA announced Monday that the instant-replay official who handled Saturday's game between the University of Houston and Oklahoma State has been suspended for overturning a call that was not reviewable under the rules.

- - -

2006-09-13T15:02:00.000-05:00

I love days like this. It feels like fall outside. It's going to get warmer by the weekend, but today's temp gives me a taste of what's to come. Cooler temps & Tiger football... it's no wonder I love this time of year.

- - -

Speaking of the Tigers, they are on the road this Saturday vs. ECU. I still shake my head over the news from Monday that quarterback Will Hudgens broke his leg again. He's a tough kid & he'll bounce back.

There's no TV so you'll have to enjoy the game the ol' fashioned way: radio. C'mon, give us a listen. The pregame show starts at 4 p.m. on NewsRadio 600 WREC.

- - -

It seems everywhere I go I am asked when kickoff time for Memphis vs. Tennessee will be set. I'll tell you what the media was told Monday: expect it to be announced 12 days out. My calendar tells me that would be this Monday. If it happens at the press luncheon make sure to listen WREC news at 12:30 p.m. & 1 p.m. If they announce it, we'll have it.

- - -

I typically enjoy football bye weeks later in the season. When Memphis rests on Sept. 23 we will only be three games deep into the season. It comes at a good time considering they have the Vols the next weekend. I fully plan on being on a lake fishing with my camper nearby.

- - -

2006-09-05T10:30:00.000-05:00

I'm disappointed in myself. I let football season slip up with little or nothing on the blog. Could things be any crazier for me right now? Family, job(s), life...

Look, it's better than the alternative. I went through that earlier this year where I was begging to work. The unfortunate part is things I like to do take a backseat, like the blog.

Coaches teach discipline to players. Maybe I need to take a page out of that playbook.

- - -

One of the things I wanted to post last week were my predictions specifically for Memphis, CUSA & the SEC. Well, with week one in the books maybe it is too late now. And considering I had the Tigers beating Mississippi 24-21, maybe I should get out of the prognosticating game altogether.

Instead what I will do is try to give some weekly picks. It's all just for fun.

- - -

I have also compiled my list of hotseat coaches. I put it together before last weekend & nothing has really changed.

Air Force - Fisher DeBerry: He's made contraversial statements in recent years; add to it 4-7 last year & there could a change; retirement is a possibility, as he's 67 years old.
Arkansas - Houston Nutt: Many more nights like last Saturday's loss to USC & the Butch Davis rumors will start again; it seems all went downhill for Nutt after turning down the Nebraska job. I thought ESPN did do a nice job of sucking up to the Hawg fans during their telecast, as the announcers kept reminding us that the Razorbacks would be ok in SEC play... huh?
Georgia Tech - Chan Gailey: It's his fifth year & his team hung with Notre Dame Saturday; the question is can seven wins a season keep your job with the Yellow Jackets in a tough ACC? If the answer is no, say goodbye to Chan
Kentucky - Rich Brooks: Wasn't he fired last year?
Miami - Larry Coker: He sure didn't help his case losing to FSU last night. "He's a victim of freakin' talk shows," said Howard Schnellenberger, now at Florida Atlantic. "And what's that other thing? Glops or gloops or whatever it is." Ummm, blogs, maybe?
Michigan State - John L. Smith: His Spartans were 29 1/2 point favorites last weekend to Idaho; they won 27-17. Fans are quite grumpy after no bowls the past two years.
Michigan - Lloyd Carr: Fans think his offense is bland. Another 7-5 season, coupled with a loss to Ohio State, would be frowned upon.
Mississippi State - Sylvester Croom: I hear www.firesylvestercroom.com can be bought for $250. No word yet if they are passing the hat in Starkville.
Missouri - Gary Pinkel: A website asking for his termination is also $250. Geez, I am in the wrong business.
Texas A&M - Dennis Franchione: 16-19 in three seasons at College Station. He probably wishes he had left Tuscaloosa in a friendlier manner.
Tulane - Chris Scelfo: Hurricane Katrina gave Scelfo a reprieve in 2005, but he won't be so lucky this year. The problem for Tulane is if they send Scelfo packing, will anyone (worth a dime) take the job? It wasn't that long ago Tulane publicly flirted with dropping football. There's a huge vote-of-confidence for recruiting!
UAB - Watson Brown: It's life after Darrell Hackney.

In the larger scheme of things, this list means nothing. It's for entertainment purposes only, so don't email me in a hissy fit because your coach is on the list. There are so many things that determine whether a coach stays or goes, is fired or given a contract extension. Fan blogs, the media & message boards have little or no influence.

2006-08-20T09:46:00.000-05:00

Two weeks from today will be the start of the Memphis Tigers' football season. It will also be our debut on NewsRadio 600 WREC with the radio broadcast. I am very excited about both of these things.

First, I do not see the drastic drop as some have predicted by the Tigers this year, even without DeAngelo Williams (or even Stephen Gostkowski & Maurice Avery). It's going to take a lot of hard work to be tops in CUSA, but I don't believe they'll finish fifth in the east, as forecasted by the Associated Press.

After watching both scrimmages & numerous practices, I like what I see offensively. From what I have seen (keep in mind I am no football coach) transfer Martin Hankins is the starter come September 3rd against Mississippi. As of right now I would imagine Will Hudgens is second. But there is still a lot of time to practice before a starter has to be named.

Second, I could not be more excited about our broadcast season. You will notice some slight differences in the pregame show, but nothing drastic. All football pregame broadcasts will now be two hours (compared to previous years when the two-hour shows only happened for home games). Memphis will continue to have a game-day radio presentation that ranks up there with Alabama & many others.

- - -

A Commercial Appeal sportswriter told me last week I have been around basketball coach John Calipari too long... AFTER I referred to our first football opponent as "Mississippi."

- - -

Herd Insider Magazine, a magazine supporting Marshall, has listed it's "Don't miss" games of September involving Conference USA teams playing in & out of conference. You only have to glance at their week one picks to know the list is not complete. I have no problem with them saying Marshall vs. West Virginia is in their opinion the best game. It's only the sixth meeting between the two schools over the last 95 football seasons.

But no mention of Memphis vs. Mississippi? Not even a sentence? A little history lesson for our friends in Thundering Herd country: this is a rivalry game between two schools seperated by 70 miles or so. Oh, ESPN picked it up, too.

The mag does have Memphis vs. ECU as the conference game of the week Sept. 16, then the Tigers vs. UT as the best game on Sept. 30.

- - -

Around CUSA preseason football camps:

Jackson Clarion-Legder: Hull, Fletcher head improved running game during scrimmage

New Orleans Times-Picayune: Scelfo please with Wave scrimmage

Birmingham News: Blazers productive in final scrimmage

Orlando News-Sentinel: Smith, Moffett set pace in scrimmage

Charlotte Observer: Q&A With East Carolina football coach Skip Holtz

Huntington Herald-Dispatch: Herd back-up players shine

El Paso Times: Media day a hit with Miner fans

Tulsa World: Hurricane's progress no bolt from blue

Dallas Morning News: Play of SMU QBs worries Bennett

Houston Chronicle: Rice shows only basics on offense

Houston Chronicle: Art Briles vs. Dennis Franchione? Let's switch 'em

2006-08-17T10:58:00.000-05:00

Another anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley has come & gone... we all survived, as I knew we would. I don't believe most Memphians have as much respect or even like Elvis compared to the world-at-large. Thats because if you grew up here all you've heard your whole life is Elvis & Graceland. I can remember a stretch over two summers in the late 80s when I visited the King's home six times as we had various relatives travel in & out of town on vacations. Heck, I could have given the tour at one point.

I had the chance to visit with a small group of people yesterday that gathered for a memorial service in Elvis's honor. It was presented by local disc jockey George Klein at the University of Memphis. I had full access backstage to so many folks that were close to Presley. I didn't have time to interview each one.

But I did get a chance to speak with Mark James, who authored "Suspicious Minds," "Always On My Mind," & "Moody Blue." He called the event more of a celebration of Elvis & what he meant to music. By the way, "Suspicious Minds" is the greatest Elvis song ever, in case you wanted my opinion.

Before T.G. Sheppard was a country music star, he was a friend of the Elvis as a record rep for RCA. Sheppard shared with me a couple of short stories. It was good to meet him. I was familiar with his music when I was a kid & still listen to a song or two occassionally today. I got him to tell me a little bit about his radio days at WMC (my former radio station). He currently tours & does over 100 shows a year. Not a bad gig.

Elvis's nurse Marion Cocke was in the room; so was Jerry Phillips, son of Sam Phillips. It was quite a gathering & a neat feeling to be surrounded in a room with such history.

- - -

I wanted to write earlier this week about the Tiger football scrimmage I attended, but I just didn't have time until now. We're going to be ok on the offensive side of the ball. QB Martin Hankins is everything I was told to expect & then some. Hats off to Ridgeway product Will Hudgens, too. That's not to leave out Patrick Byrne. I will be interested to see what kind of reps he gets in the Saturday scrimmage after a lackluster performance Tuesday.

I am sure Patrick & Will feel they have something to prove after missing last year, both with a broken leg. Competition is good because it pushes you to be your best. That's something Coach West has tried to create each year in preseason camp at key positions.

Plus, with the stock of wide receivers Memphis has, there will be plenty of targets to throw to, no matter who is QB.

Please don't try to compare Joseph Doss to DeAngelo Williams! That is not fair. Doss is going to be a good runner. He's sneaky & has a move or two of his own.

- - -

The Highland Hundred Banquet last Friday night was very nice. It's not often I get to attend a Tiger-related event & I am not working or on-the-air. That night I got to be a fan & stand up clap to the fight song, cheer when the freshmen were announced & laugh out loud at Tommy's jokes.

2006-08-03T11:47:00.000-05:00

I heard Mississippi finally found their quarterback last night. He was wandering around the Memphis airport.

The Tigers vs. Rebels is a month away... you can hear the game on the new home for the Memphis Tigers: NewsRadio 600 WREC!

- - -

The doomsday scenario for voting today just ain't panning out... it took me longer to cast my ballot than it did to wait in line, since there was NO line around 10:30 this morning. I am hearing similar stories around Shelby County. Maybe everyone took advantage of early voting.

- - -

NewsRadio 600 WREC is going to offer great coverage of the election tonight. We start at 7 p.m. I hope you will listen.

- - -

I am riding in an elevator, it then stops. I prepare to exit, but cannot because of the stampede of folks trying to get on. Maybe it's just me but I let all riders exit the elevator before I step on... isn't that just common courtesy?

2006-08-02T05:57:00.000-05:00

Let's check out the coverage of yesterday's CUSA Media Day near Dallas...

From the Houston Chronicle: Kolb's Heisman chances are slim, but the UH quarterback is going along with the idea

From the Memphis Commercial Appeal: West confident heart of his Tigers team strong; Tulsa program back on track

From the El Paso Times: Teams have much to prove after last year's finish; Hundley to miss training camp in Socorro; Two Miners suspended for first game of '06 season

From the Biloxi Sun-Herald: They're as solid as a block

From the Jackson Clarion-Ledger: Patriarch Bower's goal still the same

From the Orlando Sentinel: They're not men of steel, but UCF, others bulk up on tougher opponents

From the Birmingham News: Any C-USA team could win title; Coach or run athletics? Brown has to decide

From the Huntington Herald-Dispatch: Alberts asks Marshall fans to be patient; O'Leary, UCF like favorites role

2006-08-01T18:39:00.000-05:00

I have noticed several folks have found this blog by searching "bill bellichick divorce." Yes, I know the last name is mispelled but that is how it is spelled to get these folks directed to this site, usually through a google search.

It's pretty weird since I don't think I have even mentioned this topic, much less the coach, even in a misspelled manner. And why are so many folks searching for details on this? Heck, I get a half-dozen hits a week on this phrase alone.

2006-07-31T06:37:00.000-05:00

Did you early vote? On some days the lines were long & the wait was long... but it's better than the alternative. I've already been laughed at for stating this, but when you stand in those long lines waiting to cast your vote, think for a moment of the millions around the world that would die for the same right.

---

Yippee... former Vice President Al Gore will be in town today signing his latest book. I gotta hand it to the guy for showing his face in a state he couldn't win... then again, he was pretty strong in Shelby County so he'll probably feel at home here..

---

It will be hot & humid when high school football teams across the state hit the fields later today. Ah, I can almost hear the clapping of shoulder pads. Football season is close, folks.

---

2006-07-30T17:43:00.000-05:00

In all my years of being on radio, TV or writing in newspapers, I have never received the feedback that I got this week after my picture appeared in the Commercial Appeal. Folks at work, church, on the street & in my email have all mentioned it. The good news out of all this is for the CA because obviously their readership is goind okay.

"So what were you doing looking over Mike Fratello's shoulder?," is the question I am asked. That picture was taken before the NBA draft. The Grizz were working out players at FedEx Forum & the media showed up to talk to Fratello & company. While TV cameras hustled for position I decided the best thing for me to do was loop around Mike & hook my arm towards the front for the best sounding audion.

It worked. Little did I know I was on candid camera!

---

You'll probably laugh, but when I found out CMT was going to run a Hee Haw marathon this weekend I was pretty excited. The unfortunate part is I just realized they are running the same 6-7 episodes over & over. Too bad.

---

Conference USA's media day happens Tuesday in Dallas. There's a pretty good chance Tommy West will join us on Memphis Morning News on WREC Wednesday morning at 7:10 a.m.

2006-07-26T09:36:00.000-05:00

- Thank goodness football season is almost here. The SEC Media Days start today, CUSA is next week. Is that pigskin I smell?

- I laughed when I read the letters to the editor earlier this week in the CA... all of these informed letter writers were complaining about the candidates stating in their radio & TV ads that they "approve this message." I laughed out loud at the Editor's Note: Campaign reform passed by Congress in 2002 included a "stand by your ad" provision that requires an "I approve this message" statement. The intent of the provision was to discourage negative campaigning by forcing candidates to associate themselves with their attacks. My reply would have not been as nice: Quit spending time writing letters that complain & spend more time paying attention to the news. You might learn something.

- Here's an amazing fact for you: I am yet to get a speeding ticket when travelling through Oakland, Tenn. Then again, I don't speed when I drive through there. Same thing for Germantown & Collierville, too. Funny how that works.

- The headline on DeadSpin.com: Danica Patrick now set to not win races for a different team all together. Ok, that is pretty good, maybe even better than my line calling her the Anna Kournikova of motorsports. She's staying in open wheel taking a seat with Andretti-Green Racing. There are several NASCAR teams which made a mistake not luring her away from the IRL. Would she ever win a race? Who cares, there are seveal drivers right now that drive every weekend in Nextel Cup that will never win a race... but Danica would generate a lot of publicity for whoever hired her.

- Have you early voted yet?

2006-07-25T09:40:00.000-05:00

- Even at 4 in the morning, the yield sign is still considered an option by most Memphis drivers. I am glad my breaks work.

- The wheels of government move slow... part of the reason is the inability to start meetings on time. Noon usually means 12:15 or even 12:30 for some bodies. Don't even get me started on press conferences.

- Memphis football coach Tommy West is surprised his Tigers are chosen third in CUSA's east division. While TW cannot say it, I can: Memphis will be a better football team this year. What? How can you say that? DeAngelo is gone! Maurice Avery is gone! This is a rebuilding year! The Tigers will be fine. TW & staff finally have the program where it can endure losses of key players & survive. Just look at last year when you lose your top 2 quarterbacks.

- I need to go early vote... have you?

- The Grizzlies are hosting a press conference today with Jerry West, Mike Fratello, Rudy Gay, Alexander Johnson & Kyle Lowery. I wonder if Jerry will talk about the article in the California paper last week declaring this is his final season with Memphis?

- I glanced at the site stats last night & was amazed at the traffic that came through in the three weeks I did not update. It made feel kinda bad, but I got over it. Seriously, I appreciate all of you who come here. The emails are nice, too.

- 40 days until Tiger football kicks off. Please remember the new home for Memphis football & basketball is NewsRadio 600 WREC.

2006-07-24T08:45:00.000-05:00

Wow, three weeks since my last update. That's way too long to go between postings, especially when you consider traffic to the blog was steady throughout the spring & early summer. I haven't checked out the statistics lately so I am sure they have dropped off. That's my fault...

I am deciding a direction to take with the blog. The daily sports show prep I was posting is not as relevant anymore since I am no longer doing a sports show. Then again the blog will take a serious turn back to sports when college football season arrives. And it's very, very close.

I've thought about using this space to share observations on my new area of covering news along with sports for WREC. As a relative newcomer to the news scene in the city it's interesting to see some of the things I have witnessed for the last six weeks.

Let's see which direction this blog heads... it should be a fun ride.

---

I could have been a movie critic... I have seen three movies in the last six weeks. That's really strange for me considering the last movie I saw at a movie theater was Christmas 2004. Also, consider the following better late than never since these three movies are past their prime at the boxoffice:

Cars - highly recommend for the kids, plus adults will like it, too; this was Abby's first movie & I enjoyed her wide eyes & eating popcorn more than the movie itself; being a race fan, this movie was pretty neat.

Click - a 2006 version of "It's a Wonderful Life," except not as good; I was expecting a total Adam Sandler comedy experience & instead I got an emotional roller coaster in the second half of the movie.

Superman Returns - I loved it! Why did so many people not like this? Kevin Spacey does a great job as Lex Luthor.

---

I am dying for football season to get here. CUSA's media days will happen next week in Dallas & I will miss it. It's a mistake to hold it there & I think the powers-that-be will realize that when the attendance drops. It belongs in Memphis so the media day can be held in conjunction with the two day of events the Liberty Bowl always planned. The Liberty Bowl is a great partner for CUSA & this whole event will be missed here.

---

One of the greatest rock and roll albums of all time is Zeppelin I... I was in a music mood on my 4 a.m. ride to work this morning, so it was cranked in my ol' speakers as I cruised on I-240. "How Many More Times" is the best cut on the CD & is one of the top five Zep songs ever.

2006-07-01T15:06:00.000-05:00

The President of the United States visited Memphis Friday, bringing with him the Prime Minister of Japan. It seems his foreign guest is a huge Elvis fan, so their first stop was Graceland. They made a surprise trip to the National Civil Rights Museum, then capped the visit off with BBQ from the Rendezvous.

WREC was the radio pool reporter & I was chosen for the task. This allowed me closer access to the event in terms of riding in the Presidential caravan & getting a close glimpse of everything that happened.

It was a once in a lifetime opportunity for a local news reporter. I remembered to bring along my digital camera. Unfortunately, the batteries died about midway through the trip. But here is a little of what I experienced:

Air Force one arrived promptly at 10 a.m. at the Tennessee Air National Guard off Democrat Road. What a beauty it is. See it up close was one of the most exciting parts of the day for me.

None of us knew from which direction she would land. But at 9:50 a.m. or so I knew the arrival was imminent as the skies surrounding Memphis International Airport had grown very quiet.

As I prepared to do a live report at the top of the hour on WREC, I looked up & AF1 was rolling towards us. It was an awesome site to see this big bird of steel. When I was told pool reporters were to go out & stand under the wing to await the exit of the President, I was like a kid at Christmas!

---

There's no long & drawn out process with the President's arrival. If it says 10 a.m. in the itinerary, you can count on it. The sound of camera shutters are loud & somewhat distracting. The President does his obligatory wave, then chats with local officials. I wish I could have eavesdropped on what George W & Mayor Willie Herenton talked about over their brief handshake.
Again, there's a tight schedule to adhere to, so it's off to the Presidential limo (which was cool to see up close) & a looooong caravan to Graceland. But the ride goes back pretty quick when you don't have to worry about Memphis drivers or stoplights.

---

The President, Laura & Japanese PM (along with their traveling party) got a private tour by Priscilla & Lisa Marie. We were taken to the backdoor of Graceland where you would typically exit the Jungle Room. Then somehow the entire media crew (nation, international & local) crammed into a viewing area. That's where the Japanese PM did his Elvis impersonation & even serenaded Lisa Marie.

After that photo op, we were pushed back outside. Cameras & photogs were allowed to follow Bush into the old raquetball court which is now a huge trophy room. The rest of us were ushered back around to the front of Graceland to a viewing area on the north side of the lawn. Then the rest of the media caught up. But as soon as they were in place they asked those of us who missed the trophy room to come to the back of the mansion & have a seat. As you have figured out by now, you do a lot of standing & waiting when part of the press pool. Then at a moment's notice you are required to run to catch the story or hop in the media van. I highly recommend tennis shoes to anyone aspiring to have this as a daily job.

---

Now back at the front lawn of Graceland, Priscilla & Lisa Marie are escorted out by their bodyguard. Some photogs are asked not to take pictures, although I am not sure why. I guess I got lucky. It's good to see both of them still very involved with the promotion of Elvis & Graceland.

Ah, now back to the waiting game. Did the front door just open? What's taking so long? Is the President going to speak? All questions being thrown out by the traveling media to Josh Gatlin of the White House press office. Josh deals with most of these folks every day of his life. I am sure he gets tired of the same questions over & over. However, I am a local guy & I need a story. Sure, I was the only person in Memphis radio doing live updates traveling with the President, but I needed some audio. I saw I had an opportunity when the President was walking towards our area. Thankfully I had asked Josh prior to this if I could kneel inside the roped off area where my digital recorder would be able to pick up a few comments. His reply was a quick, "Sure, go ahead."

When the President, First Lady & Japanese Prime Minister arrived to share a few words, I was no more than 10-feet away from the trio. I got one picture & then my camera died...
Just a couple of observations: the President is thinner than he looks on TV & Laura looks younger in person.

---

It's then downtown & my live report at noon talks of how we are heading to the Rendezvous for lunch. Then our caravan turns left & flys past Beale Street. Where are we going? Ah, of course... the National Civil Rights Museum. It was not on the itinerary, but obviously scheduled in advance because, 1) secret service requires it, 2) Dr. Benjamin Hooks was the guide.

By the time our press van arrived the President & Prime Minister were on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in the exact spot where Dr. Martin Luther King was gunned down many years ago. We could not hear what was being said on the ground, but everyone's faces told the story.

---

I was embarrassed for my city when we turned around to walk back to Main where our press van was parked. Hanging from the downtown Memphis College of Art building was a hastily painted sign simply stating "F#$% Bush."

I have no problem with signs of protest or such. We saw plenty of that outside of Graceland. Some saying "Get out of Iraq" or "Give Peace a Chance" or something similar. But a large public display of the "F" word was tacky & uncalled for. I would have said the same thing had Bill Clinton been the President.

There were children around. There were dozens of members of the nation & Japanese press. Sure, they have probably seen these types of immature signs before... I was just hoping my hometown was better than that.

Wouldn't the word "Peace" spoken louder?

---

Lunch at the Rendezvous was a neat event. They allowed the media to stand up stairs & look down at the festivities. I immediately noticed Karl Rove & Tony Snow in the mix. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist was working the scene; so was U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr.

We were then escorted to the basement for our own lunch. It was interesting to see most of the Japanese media guzzling beer with their lunch while the U.S. media stuck to Coke & sweet tea.

---

The caravan left downtown & we were back near the airport in only 10 minutes. Our press van was near the back of the convoy. By the time we arrived, parked & exited the vehicle, the President & Laura were already on board Air Force One. As I gave my 2 p.m. live report on the radio the jet was several hundred yards away from the hangar.

At 2:10 p.m., as I started my SUV Air Force One roared into the sky, departing to the north, turning slightly to the east, then disappeared.

2006-06-30T06:03:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Rodney Carney & Shawne Williams for being drafted back-to-back in the first round of the NBA draft. They are both good guys & will hopefully find success in their professional careers.

I still remember the day Rodney was signed. Since his name was not well known & he wasn't on top of all the "expert" lists, some locally laughed & even criticized the kid. After all, since he wasn't recruited or signed by any of the big boys, he must be no good, right?

Carney proved them wrong.

The day he signed I called the Indianapolis newspaper & spoke to the prep writer. He told me Rodney would be a great addition, calling him a diamond in the rough. Boy was he right.

Rodney is where he is at today because he was a four-year guy. He listened to his coaches. He overcame adversity.

It's a shame Darius Washington didn't hang around at least another season. The kid went undrafted Wednesday night & cannot return to the Tigers because he hired an agent to represent him earlier this week.

---

Here's what's being written about Carney:

76ers trade down to take Memphis star

76ers trade down to get Memphis' Carney

Carney a quick learner?

Carney hopes to bring excitement to Sixers

---

I wish I had time to write more, because there is so much going on.

- I think Jerry West made some great moves for the Grizzlies in the draft.

- We'll have the various University of Memphis coaches joining us next week on Memphis Morning News as WREC will officially become the new home of the Tigers. Athletic director R.C. Johnson will join us Monday to start the week. I'll try to add a list & times to the blog this weekend or first thing Monday morning.

- Busy day today. I'm serving as the radio pool reporter for the President's visit to Graceland with the Japanese Prime Minister.

2006-06-27T12:19:00.000-05:00

Waki Williams, formerly of the University of Memphis, worked out for the Grizzlies this morning. It's the day before the draft & the Grizz will choose 24th tomorrow night unless they find a way to trade up. Maybe it will happen, maybe not... Jerry West did say the only player that was "untouchable" was Pau Gasol. Otherwise, he's ready to make whatever moves are necessary to help the team, even if it means a trade that is unpopular.

---

2006-06-25T12:32:00.000-05:00

Some say, "if ain't broke, don't fix it." But if the NCAA can find a way to make even more money off of its basketball tournament, it'll happen sooner or later.

NCAA to Weigh Expanding Basketball Tourney

---

2006-06-23T07:57:00.000-05:00

I want to pass along the sad news that Steve Butler's wife passed away unexpectedly yesterday. Many of you know Steve from his many years on WRVR & have hopefully followed him to WREC, where he is now part of our morning show. I've only worked with the guy for a week, but I have found him to be a true professional.

WREC has set up a messageboard on its website where listeners can pass along their condolences to Steve & his family. Click here if you wish to add your own to the list.

Folks, you never know when it's your time & the gig is up... always tell your family you love them, kiss your kids & live everyday to the fullest.

2006-06-19T07:03:00.000-05:00

Whew, I can finally breathe a little. It's day three for me with WREC & I am finally finding my groove.

Thursday & Friday were spent familiarizing myself with the equipment & the morning show format... then a whirlwind trip to Atlanta for a quick family deal... then back in the saddle today & they actually turned me loose on-the-air.

As soon as I get settled & comfortable with my routine, I will try to deliver the daily updates again.

---

2006-06-14T08:04:00.000-05:00

Is Dwayne Wade's performance last night for the Miami Heat too little too late in their quest for the NBA championship? Wade's 42-point, 13 rebound performance was much needed for a team that was in jeopardy of being swept had it not been for last night's 98-96 win over Dallas.

Hats off to the ol' veteran Gary Payton, too. His jumper with nine seconds to play will be talked about a long time by Miami fans.

---

Darren Rovell writes on ESPN.com that NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. doesn't own the rights to his own name. Nope, instead stepmom Theresa owns it. I predict a lawsuit over this. Or maybe Dale Jr. could just get the ultimate revenge to her & just change his name!

---

The good news is as each hour passes, the better Ben Roethlisberger gets after being injured in a motorcycle accident Monday. The more I read, the luckier I believe the Steelers quarterback to be for not being more seriously injured.

It's also reopened the debate: should a star football player be riding a motorcycle? Helmet-less? Add to it, should a team, let's say the Steelers, have any right to dictate to their star QB what he can & cannot do?

Although there was no specific language forbidding his motorcycle riding, the Steelers warned Big Ben in writing in 2005 he could jeopardize portions of his contract if he continued to ride. Not only did the letter serve notice to Roethlisberger, but it is said it also put Pittsburgh on firm legal ground should the quarterback injure himself & the team decided to recover a portion of his signing bonus or even change his annual salary.

Police have also said Roethlisberger was operating the motorcycle without the proper state-issued license.

---

While on the subject of athletes not using their head, former Duke standout J.J. Reddick was arrested early Tuesday morning & charged with DUI. Maybe he was improving his street cred so he will be taken higher in the NBA draft later this month.

---

I've got a family member in the hospital, so this update is a little shorter than normal today. Before I leave I want to say thanks to all of you again for the calls & the emails over my new job. I start tomorrow & I am very excited to get back to work & start counting down the days to our first Tiger football pregame show!

2006-06-13T06:46:00.000-05:00

I had lunch with my new boss yesterday at T.J. Mulligans. The place was packed with folks there to watch the U.S.A.'s opening game against the Czech Republic. Or maybe they were there to enjoy the tots.

I watched the game... I tried to get into it... I told myself maybe I have never given soccer a fair chance... after all, I don't allow my two-year old to tell me she doesn't like something unless she tries it. So I watched it.

Sorry, I just don't get it.

My patriotism & love for my country had me rooting for the Red, White & Blue, but that was about it. My eyes kept moving to a second TV in the placing showing a game in the College Baseball World Series.

I read dozens of newspaper columnists everyday. I am sick of them either apologizing for the fact most Americans don't care for soccer or preaching to us how stupid we are because we don't care for soccer.

I love football. I'm talking American football. High school, college, NFL, pee wee... it is a great game. No apologies here.

---

This is not going to be a soccer-bashing day for me. Instead, I saw something on TV last night that made about as much sense as watching a 0-0 tie between two countries I have never heard of... it was the Rock, Paper, Scissors Championship on A&E. After some research I have found there are numerous websites dedicated to the game we used as kids to turn our buddies arms black & blue.

From A&E's website: You probably played rock, paper, scissors when you were a kid, but we bet you never played it for $50,000. That's the big prize that awaits the winner in the Rock Paper Scissors Championship. Bud Light sponsored local competitions in bars throughout the country to find the best players, who advanced to the exciting national finals in Las Vegas. This special captures all the excitement of the sport, focusing on both the intensity and the insanity as players are eliminated and a victor is crowned. But this isn't just a blood sport, it's also high comedy as the program reveals the history of the game, the finer points of strategy and you the viewer can become a better rock paper scissors player. Dave Attel hosts.

I turned it off last night as I am trying to get myself in practice of going to bed early for my new job. Ummm, yes, I did set my DVR to record it.

---

I am not sure if I posted my NBA championship prediction, but I felt from the beginning Dallas would win in six. Holding a 2-0 advantage over Miami, could the Mavericks make it a sweep? I doubt it. The Mavs are giving Shaq fits out there, leaving him unable to take over a game. Dwayne Wade is shooting just 38-percent from the floor & is still looking for his game in the most important seven-game series in his young career.

---

Since I have spent most of my adult life making a living from my voice, I do things to take care of it. I don't go to extremes of using gargling with lemon juice or other home remedies, but then again I don't spend my free time screaming "Freebird" at rock concerts or yodeling in the mountains.

You would think professional athletes would know better than to ride motorcycles without helmets. While some may not use it properly, you need your noggin' to play almost any sport (insert soccer joke here).

The latest example is Super Bowl winning QB Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He collided with a car yesterday, breaking his nose & jaw, leaving him in serious but stable condition. He wasn't wearing a helmet. Witnesses say 62-year old Martha Fleishman made a left turn in her Chrysler New Yorker & struck Big Ben's black 2005 Suzuki.

Would Roethlisberger ever take one step onto a football field without a helmet? Of course not, with the like of some of the monsters which try to chase him down. So what makes him think he can avoid injury from a car?

Then again, he comes from a long line of athletes that have gotten hurt on a motorcycle:

2006 - Houston return specialist Jerome Mathis injured his hands along with numerous scrapes & bruises, causing him to miss some offseason work.

2005 - Cleveland tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. sustained internal injuries & damage to his right shoulder & right knee, forcing him to miss the season.

2004 - New York Jets cornerback Jamie Henderson missed the entire season while he rehabbed from injuries suffered in an April wreck.

2003 - IRL driver Dario Franchitti broke his back in a motorcycle accident & missed several races, including the Indianapolis 500. Then again, he had Ashley Judd by his side to help him recover.

2003 - Chicago Bulls guard Jason Williams crashed his new motorcycle into a light pole, fracturing his pelvis, tearing knee ligaments & damaging nerves in his left leg.

There's more on this list. Click here to read it all.

---

Phil Stukenborg writes in today's Commercial Appeal, University of Memphis football coach Tommy West has a new recruiting pitch: Come to the UofM, and he'll guarantee an opportunity to play on Sunday. Well, at least he can make that promise this season.

The Tigers had a second Sunday game announced by ESPN Monday. The Nov. 4 matchup against CUSA foe Southern Miss has been moved to Nov. 5 & will be shown on the Worldwide Leader in Sports.

Initial reaction was, "Hey, that's up against the NFL!" Upon further review, it will be a night game & will compete against only one professional game. Granted, it's New England versus Indy, but hey, maybe the Pats & Colts will be fighting for cellar-dweller in the AFC by that point in the season.

Ok, maybe not.

Look, ESPN is going to stick someone in that slot so it might as well be Memphis. Believe it or not, there are some folks who don't care much for the pros that might just watch the Black & Blue Bowl. I don't expect local attendance to be hurt either, especially if Memphis is playing well at that point in the season.

This is a good situation for the Tigers. Add the Mississippi game on Sept. 3 (a Sunday) on ESPN, the UT game, also on ESPN, plus a couple of CSTV game, that's not too bad at all.

---

Speaking of Memphis football, nice article today in the Jackson Sun on Tommy West & the Tigers' growing "footprint" in west Tennessee.

---

Miami punches its ticket to Omaha for the College Baseball World Series after beating Mississippi yesterday, 14-9, in game three of the super regional in Oxford. The Rebels were denied their first trip to to the CWS since 1972.

Does this free up Rebs coach Mike Bianco to talk to LSU about their coaching vacancy? Tigers AD Skip Bertman interviewed Vandy coach TIm Corbin for the position left vacant when Smoke Lavale resigned last week.

---

Internet speculation has been running rampant on the status Brent Schaeffer, the expected starting quarterback for the University of Mississippi football team this fall. His mom tells the Clarion-Ledger newspaper that all is well with her son & he will enroll July 3 for the second semester.

Rebels coach Ed Orgeron said last week that Schaeffer was delayed arriving in Oxford because he had yet to graduate from the College of the Sequoias.

If he makes it, Schaeffer will be a junior. He started three games as a freshman at UT in 2004, but was eventually suspended, then transferred after an off-season arrest.

---

We've all heard of Arena Football, but I must admit Arena Racing USA is new to me. It seems NASCAR team owner Joe Gibbs is investing in the sport. His driver Denny Hamlin of the no. 11 FedEx car is an Arena Racing alum.

The series features half-scale stock car-shaped cars with a 61-inch wheelbase. The cars weigh 725 pounds & come equipped with 390cc Honda engines racing on a one-tenth mile track.

---

Major League Baseball suspended relief pitcher Jason Grimsley for 50 games yesterday. Federal agents searched his home last week & allegations came to light he had been receiving packages of HGH at his house. Grimsley was released by the Diamonbacks last week. There is speculation this suspension will prompt an end to his career.

---

Bob Huggins officially signed his contract Friday to become head basketball coach at Kansas State. He'll receive a guaranteed compensation of $800k his first three years, with additional money coming from shoe, radio & TV contracts. It's also laced with the usual incentives for wins, sellouts & completing the contract.

KSU can terminate Huggins' new deal if he is convicted of any criminal offense involving fraud, a felony or an act that causes harm to the school's reputation, although it does not discuss specifics or Huggins' past (remember the DUI?).

It sure would be fun to see KSU versus Memphis on the schedule sometime in the near future. Cal versus Huggins again... that's a made for TV event if there ever was one.

---

2006-06-12T16:52:00.000-05:00

As many of you know, things got all turned upside down for me last December when I learned my radio home of almost seven years was switching formats. My goal was to go where the Tigers go, which happened when Tigers Sports Properties signed me as pregame/postgame/coaches shows hosts for 2006-07. Still, I needed the fulltime gig to pay the rent.

I looked inside the market & outside as well. There are some really good guys (and gals) in various markets out there & I believe I made some friends. Heck, it was a learning experience. I have had only two fulltime radio jobs in the last 12 years. I was pretty rusty at interviewing. Although I've been doing this almost 20 years, I walked into various PD & GM offices with first-timer butterflies.

Two offers outside of Memphis came my way. But it would mean relocating to a strange place & leaving the Tigers after seven seasons. After long hours of thinking, working numbers & praying, staying home was the obvious choice.

I put out a couple of feelers at a couple of radio station in the area. However, there was one I targeted & one that I really wanted to work for. Their programming & committment to local sports & now the University of Memphis made perfect sense.

On June 15 I will join WREC-AM as a sports anchor. It also gives me the opportunity to participate in other projects as well which will take me back to my roots in news.

It makes perfect sense... WREC is home to Tigers football & basketball... WREC is home to the Tommy West Show & John Calipari Show...WREC is now home to me, too.

Thanks to all of you who have sent emails or made calls of support. I have made so many good friends out there. That's part of what makes my job so much fun.

2006-06-11T09:53:00.000-05:00

Hey, look! It's a weekend update!

---

The Mavericks are predicting they'll face a Shaq attack tonight in Game 2 of the NBA finals.

---

With the additions of DeAngelo Williams & Keyshawn Johnson, the Dallas Morning News calls the Carolina Panthers the best NFL team on paper. Rick Gosselin writes, An unstable running back situation was settled with the selection of NCAA rushing champion DeAngelo Williams in the first round of the draft. The Panthers also signed wideout Keyshawn Johnson in free agency to give quarterback Jake Delhomme a possession receiver.

Indy, Pittsburgh, Seattle & Miami round out his top 5. The Raiders, Jets & Texans are at the bottom.

---

Open wheel racing vs. NASCAR is a debate that has raged for years. NASCAR is not only the top motorsport in the U.S., but one of the top sports overall when you consider ticket sales, merchandise sales & TV numbers.

Still, it doesn't take much work to find a newspaper columnist out there that sings the praises of open wheel racing as more exciting & better personalities. The latest example comes from the Ft. Worth Star Telegram where Jennifer Floyd Engel offers, IRL is a sleeping beauty that needs a little Kiss.

She writes, To say the Indy Racing League is better than NASCAR is like saying a Kincaid's burger is better than a Mc-whatever. Obviously. Duh. Of course.

Part of her reasoning as to why she believes the IRL is so cool is because a handful of Hollywood stars show up. Yeah, that'll get the fans excited. The other thing she says is lacking is the number of cars. Now she's on to something.

The problem with open wheel racing in the U.S. right now is the split between CART & the IRL. The average race fan got confused by it when it happened. Why try to keep up with who was racing where? If the two series can merge there will then be more than enough quality cars to complete a full field for any race. Competition will improve & numbers will increase.

That doesn't necessarily mean NASCAR will then fall from its no. 1 spot.

---

Meanwhile, NASCAR is not without its own contraversy. Larry Woody of the Tennessean is the latest to weigh in on the so-called BushWhackers = that would be Nextel Cup drivers stepping down & dominating the Busch series.

---

The Memphis Grizzlies aren't expected to spend any money to improve their basketball team until something happens with the possible sale of Michael Heisley's ownership in the team. That could all be resolved by next month. Meanwhile, it must be noted the Grizz already have the seventh highest payroll in the NBA... how much do you have to spend to win ONE playoff game?

---

The Arizona Diamondbacks say they'll withhold the rest of Jason Grimsley's salary after it came to light earlier this week he's been busted for steroid use. "This guy did no less than steal from us," team managing general partner Ken Kendrick said Saturday night.

The Diamondbacks released the relief pitcher Wednesday, a day after federal agents searched his home & it was reported an investigation into Grimsley started in April.

2006-06-08T08:18:00.000-05:00

In case you missed the post last week, I have removed restrictions on leaving a comment. You no longer have to be a registered user of blogger.com to voice your opinion. Just look for the comments link at the end of each daily post.

---

Quaterback Cannon Smith has told the Commercial Appeal he wants to be a Tiger. The son of FedEx found Fred Smith chose Memphis over offers from Mississippi & Tulane.

This is big news for several reasons. The last name is one of the obvious. But another to consider is the presitge factor. The son of one of the city's most prominent businessmen chose to stay home. Why? Because he likes what he sees at Memphis.

---

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is proof if you spend money, you can make money in the NBA. At times I have been critical of his antics, but there is no arguing he is the reason for part of the success at Dallas. His enthusiasm & support has been contagious amongst fans in the city & only adds to the anticipation leading up to game one tonight against Miami for the championship.

---

Here's something odd: despite being on probation, TCU's track team is competing this week in the NCAA Outdoor Championship Meet. Why? Because the NCAA ruled the team could still compete in individual competitions, a first for the governing organization. It's part of the NCAA trying to be more student-athlete friendly, however, some coaches at the meet are upset over the Horned Frogs participation.

---

Unfortunate injuries & sometimes playing through pain: those are my memories of Steve McNair's career as a Tennessee Titan. I've often wondered what the guy could have achieved had he been healthier. Then again, that's football.

McNair has been traded to Baltimore. Yes, the Titans sent their most recognizable player since Eddie George to the enemy. Their reasons are long & even some maybe valid. But the average fan doesn't care about contracts & salary caps & such... they just know McNair is now a Raven, thanks to the Titans.

I still find it hard to believe that it has been six years since the Titans lost to St. Louis in Super Bowl XXXIV. McNair brought his team back to life in the second half. I can still vividly see Kevin Dyson snagging a McNair pass as the clock drained. He was tackled at the one-yard line... time expired... the Titans lost to the Rams, 23-16.

---

Memphis basketball fans are paying attention to Darius Washington & his quest for a career in the NBA. He is writing a diary at collegehoops.com as he participates this week in workouts in Orlando.

He writes, I’ve been really busy since I decided to enter the draft. I was really lucky to be able to spend a week with Coach Lucas in Houston who I really admire and then got to spend a couple weeks at the IMG Academy in Bradenton. Doing everything from practicing drills, shooting, lifting, reviewing tape, listening to my trainers and learning as much as I can before the draft. I am happy to have my family close because at times it can be stressful. I am just trying to keep my head on straight and focus on the coming weeks. At the end of the day I am like anyone else entering the draft—I have to prove myself and show everyone that I am willing to do more than the next guy to make it.

Darius must decide by June 18 whether to stay in the draft or return to Memphis. I wish him the best of luck no matter what his final decision is... he will always be a Tiger.

---

2006-06-07T08:37:00.000-05:00

Believe it or not, this space was updated yesterday. It was only late last night I realized my daily posting was not there. Instead, it was lost in cyberspace somewhere, never to be seen or heard from again. Yikes!

Over the coming weeks you are going to notice some slight changes in the blog. The purpose of this thing was to keep me in practice of the typical daily show prep I was doing when hosting the afternoon show at WMC. But I also found I like doing this because sometimes I find stories that may interest a couple of you out there that you might not necessarily find or read.

The good news for me is I start a new job next week with a local radio station & I am very excited. I will be able to share with you the details in the next couple of days. As I stated above, there will be slight changes here, but as of today I intend to keep this thing up-and-running.

Tell a friend about the blog. Traffic has slowed somewhat now that college basketball season is over. I expect it to surge when August rolls around & football is imminent. While the majority of readers are right here in Memphis, there are also regular visitors from Tulsa, L.A., Mobile & Chicago. That's pretty neat!

Next week it is back to work & I cannot wait. It's also less than three months from the start of the Memphis Tigers football season & the very first Coach Tommy West Radio Show.

---

With a dozen or so other newspapers, I read the Dallas Morning News almost everyday. That town is psyched over the Mavericks shot at the NBA championship. The newspaper's coverage, as it should be, is excellent. Man, it just makes me wonder if Memphis would have the same electricity if the Grizzlies ever made it that far? After reading Geoff Calkins' column in Sunday's Commercial Appeal, I really wonder what the future holds for the Grizz.

---

Sales of Danica Patrick merchandise are as strong as ever. The IRL driver's popularity remains strong, despite not winning a race yet. However, the media circus that follows is comparable to what some stars see in NASCAR.

Autographs, diecast cars & other memrobilia are for sale each race. No, they do not sell lifesize dolls of Danica.

---

Here's what Major League Baseball needs: another steroid contraversy.

It seems in April federal agents busted Arizona reliever Jason Grimsley receiving a shipment of human growth hormones (HGH), agents claim his 12th shipment. This happened just months after he was a teammate of Rafael Palmeiro at Baltimore, who served a 10-day suspension for steroids. We all remember that story.

"There's definitely something that has been taken away (from the fans)," Grimsley told a Baltimore Sun reporter after the Palmeiro affair. "But there are steps being made and things being done to fix that. I hope the fans see that. I hope the public see that. And I think the people in Major League Baseball offices and the people in Capitol Hill see the efforts that are being made to change things."

An affidavit filed in Federal Court says Grimsley was at first cooperative with investigators after they busted him. He admitted using HGH & even said amphetamine use was running rampant in most dugouts. Also on Tuesday, special federal agents, including the IRS, search Grimsley's Phoeniz home in search of records & other information.

---

Johnny Drennen has a story he can tell his grandkids one day: the night he belted a solo homerun against 'The Rocket.'

Drennen wasn't even born when Roger Clemens started his career 23 seasons ago. The 19-year old centerfielder for the Lake County Captains ripped one last night, as Clemens made a start for single 'A' Lexington as he prepares his return to the Majors.

"I threw him a split that didn't split, and he really hit it," Clemens said after the game.

---

Congratulations to former Southaven High pitcher Brae Wright & former Houston High catcher Kelly Edmundson. They were the only local players taken in the first 18 rounds of yesterday's draft.

Wright is now a senior left-hander at Oklahoma State. He was selected in the sixth round by the Milwaukee Brewers. Edmundson is a senior catcher at Tennessee & was selected in the 11th round by the Cleveland Indians.

---

Panthers Huddle weighs in on the addition of former Memphis running back DeAngelo Williams to the Carolina roster. On a post yesterday, 'Zod' wrote, All in all is it very clear that the Carolina Panthers landed a great bargain with their late first round pick. He should at least contribute immediately and spell Deshaun Foster, and at best he could win the starting job come September. Either way, the Panthers are better off.

---

USA Today's Jon Saraceno offers this interesting commentary on Michelle Wie. He's dead-on when he writes, "If her ultimate goal is to become the world's finest female golfer, she must first learn how to win, how to compete, against the best of her gender."

---

Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick says Kyle Boller is the team's starting quarterback, while the team continues its quest to aquire Steve McNair. "Kyle Boller is our starting quarterback. That’s the only approach you can take. You prepare yourself for that because that’s the way it is right now," Billick told reporters.

Notice he finished with the phrase 'right now.' Welcome to coach-speak 101... do you really think the Ravens are going to spend the money to get McNair & then sit him on the bench? But what the coach did was make a safe statement, in case something falls through & the Titans QB doesn't join their squad.

---

Speaking of the Titans & McNair, the QB has not returned to offseason workouts yet, although an arbitrator ruled last week he's full within his rights to do so if he wishes.

Up next are Organized Team Activity, something Titans coach Jeff Fisher says "it doesn't make sense" to put McNair on the field if he's eventually going to leave the team. However, the NFL Player's association general counsel Richard Bethelsen warns that the Titans need to proceed carefully. "If they are not allowing him to participate with the team, they are breaching his contract. That was the (grievance) ruling. In that case, we would bring it back before the arbitrator and say, 'They are defying your order.' How is that any different than saying he can't be there?"

---

The NBA Pre-Draft Camp is underway in Orlando. NBA.com has the Tigers' Darius Washington as a 'player to watch' this week. "Recent reports have Washington staying in the draft regardless of how he plays this week, despite not being viewed as a first-round pick. More of a scorer than a distributor, he’ll need to show more point guard skills to improve his stock. Teammates Rodney Carney and Shawne Williams are here as well, but will only take part in the physical testing."

---

2006-06-05T08:02:00.000-05:00

If you are an NBA fan, how exited are you over the Dallas/Miami championship? I admit I am just a passive fan, however, I do find the upcoming best-of-seven intriguing.

The Mavs' Dirk Nowitzki has a chance to capture a ring... Shaq has a chance to get ANOTHER ring, this time with the Heat, not to mention internet rumors of his retirement, should Miami win it all.

Could this be the Mavericks' year? After all, they were proclaimed dead at one point in Saturday night's game against Phoenix, but somehow overcame a double-digit deficit to win the NBA's Western Conference.

In 1988 Dallas was one win away from the Finals... they lost... to the Lakers... coached by Pat Riley... who now coaches Miami... ah, the circle of NBA life.

---

Tennessee Titans GM Flyd Reese said Sunday if quarterback Steve McNair showed up for workouts today, he would be welcomed. Well, that's good to hear, especially since an arbitrator ruled last week the team was wrong in their lockout against McNair earlier in the spring over worries he would hurt himself & they would be left on the hook for a fat contract.

Meanwhile, McNair's future is pretty cloudy. It's almost certain he will play this fall, but where is the question. It's doubtful the Titans will keep him, unless a new contract can be negotiated. So does 'Mac' head to Baltimore & become a Raven? They have made it no secret they want him.

---

LSU's 'Smoke' Laval resigned as head baseball coach Sunday. Now, the university's AD, who just happens to be Skip Bertman, must find a replacement. I fully expect Oxford will be his first phone call. After all, Mike Bianco has done a tremendous job with the Rebels' baseball program; add to it he played for Bertman at LSU, then coached with him, it's a natural fit.

Now back to Laval... did he resign or was he forced to quit? Several reports describe Bertman as dancing around the subject when asked. The Tigers failed to make the NCAA tournament for the first time in almost 20 years, not something that set well in Baton Rouge.

Laval was Bertman's chosen successor. The have a relationship dating back almost 22 years. In his five seasons, 'Smoke' steered LSU to two College World Series appearances. However, his team lost the NCAA Regional last year. Add to it the shortcomings this year, & Laval has become the latest victim of college athletics 'What have you done for me today?'

Along with Bianco, USC coach Ray Tanner & Jim Wells at Alabama are also being mentioned. Oh, even Bertman himself hasn't ruled out the possibility of returning to the helm of the Tigers baseball program.

---

Think about this stat for a moment: the Atlanta Braves had not been swept in a four-game homestand since 1995 until this weekend. It happened 11 years ago against Philadlephia; it happened this weekend against Arizona.

For years we have proclaimed the Braves dead at the beginning of a season only to see them come to life. Maybe it all finally caught up with them this year. The bullpen has blown 12 of 25 save opportunities; two starters sport ERAs over 6.00; hitting is lagging, Chipper ain't Chipper & injuries have played a part as well.

---

Life without Albert Pujols didn't start out too bad for the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday, as the beat the Cubs, 9-6. Pujols was moved to the 15-day DL after an injury Saturday. Enter Jim Edmonds, unable to play centerfield because of an abdominal injury. However, he could play first in relief of Albert. In the process, Edmonds goes 3-for-3 with an RBI double in the fifth & a run-scoring single in the sixth. So much for the slump he had been in before the game.

What about Albert? The strained oblique muscle will sideline him for the month at least (some say it will come closer to six weeks). That's a shame. Pujols has been MLB's feel good story this season. While we all watched Barry Bonds chase of the Babe like we watch a sideshow at the circus, we all were also watching Pujols hit homer after homer, without the ego, drama & dislike which seems to follow the slugger from San Fransisco.

The good news for fans of the rest of the teams in the NL Central, especially Cincinnati & Houston (soon to have Clemens back), is this leaves the division wide open if those teams can take advantage of the situation.

---

2006-06-01T08:02:00.000-05:00

So goes Dirk, so goes the Mavericks it seems. Then again, you would expect no less when Nowitzki is one of the best in the NBA. He had an off-night in Game 4, but I don't expect a repeat performance when he squares off with Phoenix tonight in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals.

Then again, Dirk has four other teammates on the floor with him at any given time during the game. If he has another off-night, it's up to someone else to pick up their game, something that did not happen in Tuesday night's loss.

---

Meanwhile, Detroit stays alive a little while longer in the Eastern Conference finals beating Miami last night, 91-78. The Heat still lead the series, 3-2.

---

Open-wheel racing legends Mario Andretti & Al Unser Jr. have told Texas Motorspeedway 'no thanks' in regards to racing their IRL event June 10. Both drivers came out of retirement to compete in the Indy 500, but say they would not have the proper time to prepare for the Lone Star state event.

---

What's really going on behind the scenes with the Big East conference? It's reported how great things are after an impressive West Virginia football team win in the Sugar Bowl, followed by a spectacular basketball season. All should be well, right?

Instead officials seemed shocked earlier this week when the Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte, N.C., said if Navy becomes bowl eligible, they will meet an ACC opponent on Dec. 30 at Bank of America Stadium, bumping whoever finishes third in the Big East.

The West Virginia Gazzette reported yesterday that BE commish Mike Tranghese said, "Originally we made a deal with the Houston Bowl to take our No. 3 team. Well, when we didn’t give our No. 3 to [the Meineke Car Care Bowl], they came back and said if we didn’t, they may go to the open market."

In the meantime, the Houston Bowl is circling the drain, with the Big 12 trying its best to keep the game alive all while Navy is in negotiation in Charlotte, leaving the Big East on the outside looking in.

"We were blindsided by that," Tranghese is reported as saying.

---

It's official: Roger Clemens is back in Major League Baseball in a Houston Astros uniform. It's his 23rd season playing professionally.

Wow.

"He we go again," Clemens told reporters yesterday before embarking on a minor league tour which begins today in Lexington, Ky. It's the first stop in a three-week, three-city swing through the minors he hopes will culminate in his first start with the Astros on June 22 at Minute Maid Park against the Minnesota Twins.

Clemens will receive $12.6 million for a little over three months of work. Nice work, if you can get it * he can... after all, the Astros, Yankees, Rangers & Red Sox all competed for his services.

In the end Clemens said it was his Houston teammates that made him put on the Astros uniform one more time. I guess they were all able to bind despite Clemens not travelling with the team unless he was scheduled to pitch.

That's what bother the baseball purists the most. It's not the high salary, dictating terms of his contract or missing half of the season... but bring up the travel deal & they pretty opinionated.

John Brasier in today's Anderson Independent-Mail writes:

Clemens’ special treatment teeters over the edge of a slippery slope. If Clemens can stay home when his team is playing, why shouldn’t other star pitchers be able to do the same thing?

Shouldn’t Curt Schilling and Pedro Martinez get the same consideration if they wanted it? Greg Maddux and John Smoltz should too, but they wouldn’t want to give up the free airfare and luxury accommodations while touring the nation’s top golf courses.

What if young guns such as Dontrelle Willis and Johan Santana decided to make limited travel a negotiating point? Some team would be willing to agree, whether it’s good business or not.

What’s next, star catchers demanding contracts that guarantee them regular days off?

---

An arbitrator ruled in favor of Titans quarterback Steve McNair Wednesday, saying Tennessee cannot continue to ban him from team property for training. I would expect something to happen quick with McNair. He's a $24 million liability on the NFL salary cap, so a release or trade could happen.

A statement from Titans general counsel Steve Underwood said it appeared arbitrator John Feerick leaned more heavily on circumstances "unique and special" to Tennessee state law than on the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL & the players' association.

Feerick also ruled that McNair was not eligible to be compensated for missed workouts.

The Titans denied McNair access to their training facility earlier this spring after contract renegotiation talks came to a halt. The team was concerned that if something happened to McNair on their property they would be liable to pay his entire contract.

---

Tennessee Volunteers football coach Phillip Fulmer blames distractions for his team's 5-6 season last year, the Vols first losing season in 17 years. He also blames himself, including a quarterback shuffle which divided the team.

Surprisingly, Fulmer also said at this week's SEC Spring Meeting in Destin that he waited too long to make changes to his offensive staff. Coordinator Randy Sanders resigned, then recievers coach Pat Washington & line coach Jimmy Ray Stephens were both fired.

Sanders' exit opened the door for the return of former Mississippi coach David Cutcliffe.

Fulmer has won 77% of his games in 14 years at the helm of the Vols. Not bad. But consider this: since 2000 he's 2-8 against Georgia's Mark Richt, Tommy Tuberville of Auburn, & Steve Spurrier, first at Florida, now with South Carolina; oh, he's 0-1 against newcomer Urban Meyer now with the Gators.

---

As I read several stories on Ed Orgeron awaiting word if quarterback Brent Schaeffer has graduated from a California junior college so he can come to Oxford, I started humming the tune to Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers "The Waiting." Think Coach O knows the words?

---

For the past few seasons, I thought the biggest goofball in NASCAR was Kurt Busch - until his brother came along. Kyle, much like brother Kurt, could do himself a lot of favors by taking a few anger management classes. Or sit & talk with whoever finally got to Tony Stewart when his temper put his job in jeopardy with Joe Gibbs.

The latest fiasco involving a Busch boy happened when lil' Kyle through a safety device at Kasey Mears' passing car. The two were involved in a wreck that tossed Busch from the field. Today, Busch is short $50,000 & 25 cup points for his temper tantrum; car owner Rick Hendrick also lost 25 championship points.

NASCAR placed Kyle on probation until the end of the season. I hope they have zero tolerance with him. Then again I hope they have zero tolerance for cheating crew chief Chad Knauss, too. Time will tell in both cases.

---

Memphis Tigers quaterback signee Matt Malouf is participating this week in the Mississippi-Alabama HS All Star Game in Mobile, Ala. After being quizzed by the Mobile paper as to why he chose Memphis over Mississippi, he said: "Memphis has been (recruiting) me since day one. They offered me a scholarship early and they stayed with me the whole way. They were the school that seemed like they wanted me the most. ... I really like the coaching staff and their (offensive) system. I love the spread offense and its the offense that fits me the best, I believe. I like the coaches and the players there. I'm looking forward to getting there."

---

Mike Bianchi writes in today's Orlando Sentinel regarding George O'Leary's heft salary increase at UCF: It's hard to believe there's actually a clause in UCF Coach George O'Leary's new contract that will pay him an extra $50,000 if he wins six games. Excuse me? If you're a college football coach who makes more than a million bucks a year, you should give back $50,000 for going 6-6. Who was UCF's chief negotiator on this contract -- former AD Steve Orsini or Santa Claus?

---

Former Memphis standout Rodney Carney is drawing attention from the Orlando Magic.

---

Memphis is fourth in the nation when it comes to folks eating at fast food restaurants. Birmingham, Louisville & Austin were the only cities that ranked higher. Wait a minute... I cannot stand losing to Louisville in anything! I off to have a Big Mac!

---

2006-05-31T08:04:00.000-05:00

Wow, just when I thought the NBA's Western Conference final was over, the Mavs get Suns burned last night, losing 106-86. It's the first real blowout loss for Dallas in their 14 playoff games this year.

These things have a way of working out; some coaches would say it's good to get it out of your system. If I were the Mavericks I would just make sure I take care of the Suns in game six... don't give Phoenix a chance at a full seven=game series.

---

With the Detroit Pistons facing elimination by Miami in the Eastern Conference final, it makes you wonder if they wish they still had Larry Brown around. Center Ben Wallace criticized coach Flip Saunders for spending too much time working on offense, with Saunders firing back, "We all know how Ben gets at times."

Tayshaun Prince wants to know why Lindsey Hunter is not guarding the Heat's Dwayne Wade, to which Saunders pointed the finger back at Prince, saying "Because Tay wasn't scoring."

In a way I find this all amusing. After winning the championship in 2004, then making it to game seven of the finals a year ago, they couldn't wait to run Brown out of town. Don't get me wrong, Brown's name being tied to other job openings while knee-deep in the playoffs did him no good. But in the end he made it clear he wanted to stay in Detroit. But players & upper management made it clear Brown wasn't needed for their success to continue.

In the meantime, Brown's misery with the New York Knicks continues. Remember, this was supposed to be his dream job. The New York Daily News reports this morning that Brown says, "I feel like a dead man walking."

---

Major League Baseball has been abuzz over the last 24 hours as teams competing in the Roger Clemens lottery feel a decision by The Rocket is imminent. The Texas Rangers know they are no longer in the running. Any hopes of him wearing those Yankee pinstripes are probably over as well.

The Houston Chronicle reports Houston Astros owner Drayton McLane negotiated with Clemens' agents (so he needs more than one?) late into last night, then boarded a jet in St. Louis at 7 a.m. this morning to return to Houston leaving many to believe he's finalizing the deal.

McLane told reporters it's too early to speculate whether there will be a press conference called today. Instead he said, "Just sit tight."

---

It's hard to believe it's been nearly four years since Adelphia filed chapter 11 bankruptcy, then missed a payment & was removed as the name of the Coliseum the Tennessee Titans call home in Nashville. I still slip up every now-and-then & call the stadium by it's old name.

It seems the Titans are close to finding another naming-rights partnet for their home. An agreement could be reached soon with Louisiana-Pacific Corporation.

Shall we call the Titans new home the Lou-Pac?

---

Not only did Dutch investigators clear cyclist Lance Armstrong of any doping allegations this morning, they blamed authorities with misconduct & recommended an investigation into their actions. The 132-page report dealt with allegations from Armstrong's 1999 Tour de France competition.

---

The Steve Spurrier Show made an appearance at yesterday's SEC spring meeting in Destin. As usual, Darth Visor was full of opinions & ready to share.

His Gamecocks' wins over Tennessee, Arkansas & Florida last season: "Truly a miracle stretch for us."

Did he receive a break or two from the officials? "You guys never heard me complaining about the refereeing, did you? It was beautiful. I couldn't believe it. It was different. I don't know if I should say that. I hope the refs don't say, 'We're going to pay him back.' We got some good calls. The other team dropped passes, fumbled in the end zone and did all the good stuff for us."

Working the crowd like part politician, part David Letterman, Spurrier gave his opinion on UT women's basketball coach Pat Summitt & her new big contract. Oh, he also took a shot or two at the Vols' Phil Fulmer as well. Are you surprised? Read the whole thing at the Tennessean.com by clicking here.

---

In other SEC meeting news, some coaches are complaining about academics getting in the way of their sports. (That was just a joke, folks.)

The Academic Progress Rate was discussed with some coaches feeling it's not a good idea. The system is tied to graduation rates with points earned or subtracted based on general graduation rates which are determined by, among other things, athletes leaving a program early to enter pro sports & athletes transferring from one school to the next.

Auburn had the highest rate of all SEC football programs & coach Tommy Tuberville is all smiles because it helps recruiting. It also helps his high score factors into an system that helps Auburn's basketball program, which numbers aren't so high.

===

The NCAA has added the coach's challenge to their instant replay rule. This was needed for the sport & it will help the game's replay look closer to what we see in the NFL. A coach will now be allowed to throw one flag a game asking for a challenge, as long as they have a timeout. If they lose the challenge, they lose the timeout.

Booth officials will also retain the right to review any play if he feels the officials on the field got it wrong.

In the meantime, the instant replay debate has re-entered Major League Baseball after a debate over whether Cinci's Ryan Freel stroked a ninth-inning homerun against the Cubbies Monday.

---

Minor League Baseball umpires have agreed to end their strike by ratifying a new contract & receiving a slight raise at all levels. They are expected to return to work by June 12.

---

Former Mississippi basketball coach Rod Barnes has landed as an assistant on the staff of new Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel. Barnes was fired from the Rebels in March after another disappointing season in Oxford.

---

2006-05-30T22:46:00.000-05:00

A little history for you... This blog has been around for almost 18 mos. I toyed with it most of 2005, then blew it up & started over when things came to an end at WMC. I wanted to stay in practice of doing daily showprep by reading numerous websites. Through this blog I share with you what I find.

Most visitors are from the Memphis area, but I am surprised at how many people from around the US, even the world find their way to my little ol' blog by searching Yahoo! or Google for my name or many other terms. Some days traffic is pretty consistent, others they trickle in.

One of the things I would like to see more of is user posting in the comments sectin. To make it easier on the average reader I have changed it to where anybody can post. No longer do you have to be a blogger member to leave a comment. There is word verification you have to type in before posting (this stops the bots), but other than that is is pretty painless. So take time & leave a comment or two.

For those of you who try to be cute or are drive-by posters trying to slip one past, don't worry... I still have access to the delete key.

---

2006-05-30T08:18:00.000-05:00

Sports announcers long for calling historic moments. Of course some moments are bigger than others, but for Dave Flemming, his call of Barry Bonds stroking homerrun no. 715 & bypassing Babe Ruth was surely one he wanted for the archives.

The hit was up & away, but then... nothing... at least from Flemming's microphone.

Conspiracy theories are flying all throughout the Bay area. Was it an accident? An act of terrorism? The curse of the Bambino?

Flemming wants answers... flagship station KNBR wants answers...

I think I'll just sit back & be glad it didn't happen to me.

---

The Dallas Mavericks can win the Western Conference Finals tonight if they beat Phoenix. The Mavs hold a three-game edge over the Suns in the best-of-seven & history tells us teams have only given up such an advantage eight times in NBA history.

---

The Detroit Pistons would also have to make history as they are now down in their series to Miami, 3-1, after last night's loss, 89-78.

---

The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel will meet today & vote on whether to keep college basketball's airborne timeout rule. The meeting will take place via conference call.

There was once a time when a player falling out of bounds or leaping to grab a loose ball & then calling timeout to retain possession was worthy of a standing ovation & instant replay on TV. Not anymore. You see it happen several times each game it seems.

The rationale for the change, according to the committee's recommendation: "Often the player has already committed a violation before the timeout is granted. This play is happening too frequently in the game today."

---

The SEC is starting their annual spring meeting today in Destin, Fla. Ron Higgins writes in today's Commercial Appeal: Football coaches will talk about a change in instant replay for the upcoming season, in which coaches will have a chance to challenge one officiating decision per game. Last year during the first year of instant replay, an instant replay official in the press box made all the decisions whether to stop a game to review a play. Also, football coaches will discuss an NCAA proposal on measures designed to shorten how much time it takes to play a game. As it stands now, most games that are televised run about 3 hours, 15 minutes or slightly longer.

---

In college baseball's World Series, the University of Mississippi will host Bethune-Cookman Friday night at 7 p.m. CUSA power Tulane will also be in Oxford to face South Alabama Friday afternoon.

Despite missing their conference tournament, Mississippi State is in as a no. 3 seed & will face Elon Friday in a regional site at Clemson.

Conference USA's Southern Miss makes their fourth-straight regional, as the Golden Eagles will travel to Tuscaloosa & face Troy in first-round action.

---

2006-05-29T09:58:00.000-05:00

Happy Memorial Day. While enjoying our BBQ, burgers & cold drinks, let's not forget the purpose of this day & why we should remember those that gave our country the ultimate sacrifice.

God Bless America.

---

Race fans love the doubleheader of the Indy 500, then NASCAR's Coca Cola 600. Ok, in 2006 they probably care more about the NASCAR race, but yesterday was pretty exciting.

I felt in the early laps of the race that Dan Wheldon was about to repeat as Indianapolis 500 champion. Well, I was wrong. In the end Sam Hornish Jr. had to battle Marco Andretti for the win. Even more amazing was Marco's legendary father Mario was competitive & in the mix late in the race.

It's an old racing cliche' that finishing second just means you were the first one to lose. Marco's disappointment in the post-race surely backs up that point, although the kid is just 19-years old & made a statement on the track yesterday that he is going to be competitive at Indy for years to come.

Media darling Danica Patrick finished eighth, four spots lower than her 2005 finish, although the experts say she raced a better race yesterday compared to last year.

Meanwhile, Kasey Kahne wins the marathon NASCAR race, otherwise known as the Coca Cola 600. The win puts an end to a five-race win streak at LMS owned by Jimmie Johnson.

---

The Dallas Mavericks are just two wins away from the NBA Finals after beating the Suns yesterday in the Western Conference finals, 95-88.

---

Congrats to Memphis Tigers baseball coach Darron Schoenrock & the amazing turn-around this season for the team. The Tigers' season ended Saturday losing to Rice in the CUSA tournament in Houston. CUSA newcomer & consistent college baseball power Rice went on to win the tournament & will be a host site for the NCAA Regionals later this week.

Memphis finishes the 2006 campaign 32-28, an 18-game improvement over last season. Coach Rock is doing exactly what he promised with this team & 2007 could shape up to be a magical season for Tiger baseball.

---

As mentioned above, CUSA's Rice was selected Sunday as a host site for the NCAA tournament's regionals, along with five SEC schools: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky & Mississippi. Other regional sites are defending national champion Texas, Clemson, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Virginia, Cal State Fullerton, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon State & Pepperdine.

---

Jeff Maggert used some crafty putting on the back nine to pull away from the pack & win the 2006 FESJC at Southwind.

---

Pat Dooley wrote in Saturday's Gainesville Sun: Indiana hired a cheater. And they knew there were issues with the NCAA when they hired the cheater. I guess it could be worse. They could have hired a coach without a degree (see N.C. State) or one with a track record of not graduating players (see Kansas State).

---

Tigers in the NBA Draft:

Magic will take a look at Memphis' Carney, Orlando Sentinel

---

In regards to slugger Barry Bonds busting through the Babe's homerun record yesterday, Jeff Schultze of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes:

Barry Bonds hit his 715th home run Sunday. But every overblown ESPN news break-in couldn’t drown out the sad reality of the moment. It was as awkward as it was historical. Some wanted to watch. Most wanted to cover their eyes.

This wasn’t a player punctuating greatness. This was the most vilified sports star we’ve ever seen affirming his place among the five darkest moments in baseball history.

Count them. Like plagues:

1) Eight members of the Chicago White Sox are banned for conspiring to throw the 1919 World Series.
2) Pete Rose, the game’s greatest hitter, agrees to a lifetime ban for betting — on baseball.
3) Baseball cancels the 1994 World Series, not because of natural disaster but rather mutant labor negotiators.
4) Congress holds steroid hearings. Among the Murderers Row giving testimony: Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro and Jose Canseco — who ironically turns out to be baseball’s shining light.
5) Bonds passes the great Ruth and closes in on the great Hank Aaron. But he’s the poster child of the steroid era, and his baggage and personality have led him to become the sport’s greatest pox instead of ambassador.

---

Ricky Williams became the highest paid running back in the CFL yesterday when he signed a deal to play for Toronto. Williams will sit out the 2006 NFL season after a fourth violation of the league's drug policy.

---

2006-05-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

It's official: Shawne Williams in one-and-done with the Memphis Tigers, as ESPN.com reports this morning he has hired Happy Walters of Immortal Sports.

Coach John Calipari has urged Williams all along to consider all options, meaning if he really needed to look close at the NBA. Cal calls Williams the surprise of the draft & I agree completely.

This could mean as many as three Tigers from this year's Elite Eight team could be drafted next month. Sophomore Darius Washington is expected to remain draft eligible & senior Rodney Carney could get a shot as well.

---

Ok, I am really confused over this boxing match set this fall for Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton to challenge former heavyweight champ Joe Frazier. Action News 5 reported Tuesday night the so-called fight would benefit Lemoyne-Owen College. Last night, the same TV station reported the event would benefit the Shelby County drug court.

Huh?

One would assume such a chartiy event would require careful planning & such... but according to the Commercial Appeal, Lemoyne-Owen board chairman Robert Lipscomb knew nothing of the fundraiser until seeing it on TV! Now, a special assistant to the mayor says erroneous reports threaten to derail the event.

Huh?

My initial reaction when hearing of the boxing match Tuesday night was that of embarrassment. I was embarrassed for the city of Memphis, the office of mayor & even Joe Frazier. But after thinking about it, I had a change of heart. The fundraiser was just that... a fundraiser for a local college in need of help. Boxing fans could come out & shake hands with a former champ. Win-win, right?

But as is the norm for politics in this city, it all takes a turn for the bizarre & it ain't over yet. Herenton antagonist & former talk show host Thaddeus Matthews has made an offer on his blog to fight the mayor.

Does this happen in other cities?

---

Steve Nash & the Suns take game 1 of the NBA Western Conference finals from Dallas, 121-118.

---

Grizzlies majority owner Michael Heisley says no coaching changes are expected on the Memphis bench, leaving head coach Mike Fratello safe for another season.

---

The Memphis Tigers face elimination today in the CUSA baseball tournament at Houston, after losing to Southern Miss last night, 6-2. The Tigers face UAB this afternoon at 12:30 p.m.

Other results:

Rice 9, UAB 3
East Carolina 4, Tulane 2
Houston 9, Marshall 1

---

2006-05-24T08:49:00.000-05:00

To answer the emails, no, my post last night about Herenton vs. Frazier was not a joke. Click here to read the entire story at Action News 5's website.

The Memphis mayor is doing it raise money for Lemoyne-Owen College. Something tells me he could have raised even more money had he auctioned off the chance for a taxpayer to get in the ring & go one-on-one. Or maybe the media.

---

The fake news website WTF-TV.com has struck again, this time fooling the Drudge Report & SI.com's Scorecard Daily with a bogus story on Barry Bonds.

This reminds me of a couple of practical jokes I pulled on Dave Woloshin when we did afternoons on WMC-AM. The first was a fake news story I put together on an ESPN.com template telling a story how Chicago Cubs manager Dusty Baker had quit & even slugged the team's GM. Wolo is a huge Cubs fan & after his initial shock, he caught on to my prank before we ever hit the airwaves.

My second prank happened just last year on April Fool's Day & it did make it on-the-air. Using the same mock ESPN.com template, I created a story stating Al Davis had told an Oakland radio station that he was moving the Raiders. Memphis & San Antonio were his top two choices, but he really preferred Memphis because of Tigers' running back DeAngelo Williams.

Some of you may have heard it when this story made it on our show. It was all I could do not to laugh & give it all away.

This is something I have done for years, sometimes just to see if the listeners are paying attention. I almost got punched 10 years ago when I had some folks in Cleveland, Miss., convinced Gene Hackman was building an amusement park there.

Ah, the good old days.

---

All I've got to say about Albert Pujols is I am glad he is a St. Louis Cardinal. "I don't want to be the next Barry Bonds, I want to be Albert Pujols and that's it," Pujols told reporters after his team beat the Giants last night & watched Bonds stay stuck another day at 714 career homers. By the way, Pujols stroked his 23rd of the season last night.

---

The Miami Heat take game one from Detroit in the NBA's Eastern Conference finals. Shaq's on a mission. Internet rumors say the big man might retire if Miami wins it all. I doubt it.

---

My AI predition: Birmingham's Taylor Hicks wins tonight. My second prediction: UAB will have to use him as halftime entertainment this football season or next just to get folks into the stadium, just like they did with Rueben Studdard a couple of years ago.

---

2006-05-23T22:27:00.000-05:00

Action News 5 reported on their 10 p.m. newscast tonight that Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton will fight fomer heavyweight champ Joe Frazier this fall in the Peabody to benefit Lemoyne-Owen College.

No word yet if Jerry Lawler is on the undercard.

---

Fox 13 reported earlier tonight that Christian Laettner and Brian Davis arte moving closer to a deal to buy Michael Heisley's portion of the Memphis Grizzlies. The two were spotted at FedEx Forum last month & the subject of an opinion piece by Commercial Appeal sports columnist Geoff Calkins.

---

2006-05-23T08:22:00.000-05:00

The Mavericks needed overtime to beat the Spurs last night, but with their win it sets up a Western Finals many were hoping for: Dirk vs. Nash.

---

Knicks coach Larry Brown surprised more than a few folks when he showed up Monday at the team's training center to work out four prospective draft picks. Many believe Brown is on the way out in New York after reports surfaced last week his contract would be bought out.

---

NBA commish David Stern is very wise & does a great job running his league. Further proof of this happened yesterday when New Orleans was awarded the 2008 All Star Game. It's seen as part of the healing process to the Big Easy's local sports scene which was devestated (like the rest of the region) by Hurricane Katrina last summer.

Does this indicate the NBA will persuade George Shinn to not move his team to the midwest? Probably not... instead, it's the politically correct thing for Stern to do. Add to it, the party scene in February each year is pretty good in New Orleans. The players will enjoy it; their wifes and/or girlfriends will enjoy it; the fans will enjoy it. It's a win-win-win situation.

---

Pat Summitt has become the first women's college basketball coach to receive a contract worth over a million annually. Tennessee gave her a raise to $1.125 million & extended her contract through 2011-12 season.

---

Tough times right now for Texas basketball coach Rick Barnes. Four of his top five players have left the program & now sophomore reserve Mike Williams is packing his bags, saying he might transfer to Louisville, Cincinatti or Birmingham Southern. The strong rumor floating around is he will be a Bearcat soon.

The good news for Barnes is Damion James committed to Texas Monday. Listed on most experts' top 20 lists, James originally signed with Oklahoma, but was released after Kelvin Sampson left to take the Indiana job.

---

Writing in today's Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, Jennifer Floyd Engel offers the following suggestions to improve the image of professional golf:

1. Allow golfers to wear shorts. Nobody wants to see guys dressed like Brooks Brothers associates sweating around in dress casual for 18 holes.

2. Let fans cheer. If golf wants to be a spectator sport, let fans act like fans. This nonsense about absolute silence is silly. Can you imagine officials shushing basketball fans before free throws?

While I can't really argue with her first suggestion, should no. 2 ever be adopted it would turn the game into a real-life version of the fans in Happy Gilmore. If she wants us to take the cheering fans idea seriously, why not also add intro music when the golfer is announced?

My suggestions:

Tiger Woods - Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger."
John Daly - Hank Williams Jr.'s "Whiskey Bent & Hellbound"
Phil Mickelson - Aretha Franklin's "Respect"

This list could go on & on...

---

Troubled Tennessee Titans cornerback Pacman Jones is working on his image by speaking to a Nashville area boys/girls club. It's always great when an athlete takes time out of his busy schedule to talk to the kids; it's a pure shame when an athlete uses kids to create positive publicity & to sway public opinion.

---

Is Mississippi State baseball coach Ron Polk on the hotseat?

---

It's no secret I am a huge fan of the show "24" on Fox. It's one of only a handful of shows I never miss.

Laet night was the season finale & it took an interesting twist at the end. I won't say more in case there is someone reading this who recorded it, but hasn't watched it yet.

Since the conclusion of the show last night, I have glanced at a couple of messageboards & blogs to see the reaction. Most folks say it's the best season yet (I disagree, Season One is still the best); but some folks are complaining because the writers are asking us to suspend belief to make their plots work.

Huh? Isn't that what TV or movies are all about? Whether it's CSI, Superman or even Desperate Housewives, there has to be a certain level of fantasyland to keep us entertained. Otherwise, it's just life & I don't see that getting great ratings on a consistent basis.

---

2006-05-22T08:24:00.000-05:00

On the local sports scenes, this is one of my favorite weeks of the year: the FedEx St. Jude Classic!

---

LeBron James is everything we were promised... maybe more. Detroit tossed his Cavaliers yesterday from the NBA playoffs by smothering King James in a defensive style the Pistons are well known for. But give this kid some tools to work with & he'll continue to be a force to be reckoned with in seasons to come.

---

Prayers go out to the family of Mississippi Valley State assistant basketball coach Cecil Dowell. He was killed in a one-car accident Saturday night near Como, Miss. Dowell was a native of Arlington & played basketball for the University of Mississippi in the early 1980s. He was in his first year on James Green's staff at the Valley.

---

A Q & A with Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer:

Q - Lets say that Foster does go down this year, at a critical point in the season (lets say around week 13). Do you think that Williams can come and make a difference? And if so how much of a difference?
Go Gordon (24), Matthews, NC 5/19/06

A - DeAngelo Williams (of Memphis) will make some difference whenever he's inserted. Good or bad? Hard to say. He could be fumble-prone. He could be wonderful. But he's going to get playing time. As Dan Henning said this week to Charlotte Touchdown Club, he looks like "Mighty Mouse" -- small but strong -- and he's going to get some carries right away when Foster needs a break.
Scott Fowler 5/19/06

---

When the NCAA purchased the NIT last summer, I made the prediction then that expansion of the NCAA men's basketball tournament wasn't too far behind. After all, there's no one that can sue them since they now own the NIT. More teams means more money... more money means a happier NCAA. Get the picture?

The rumblings of expansion started at the ACC's spring meetings last week. League members Maryland & Florida State feel shafted after being left out by the selection committee in March.

Will we see a tournament field of 80? How about more play-in games? I say leave it alone. The old saying, "If ain't broke, don't fix it," seems to apply.

Heck, if you feel you need to expand the field just follow the plan offered by Bobby Knight several years ago: just add a few extra rounds & let'em all play. After all, if that is not the plan, someone gets left out each year & that team & its fans get mad. But I can solve that problem.

Just win.

---

Former St. Louis Cardinals standout Ozzie Smith fired a shot at Tony La Russa in yesterday's St. Louis Post-Dispatch... today, the Cards' skipper fires back.

---

Surgeons warned this morning Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro has a long recovery ahead of him, following six hours of surgery yesterday to repair his broken leg. The colt's chances of survival are 50-50, an increase from what was originally stated. The good news is the horse is standing & even showing interest in the ladies.

---

2006-05-19T08:18:00.000-05:00

I've had more response in my email box to American Idol comments than I ever had for sports content... should I change the format of the blog? Just kidding.

Have a great weekend. I'll have a full blog report on Monday.

2006-05-17T14:06:00.000-05:00

Conference USA's athletic directors have unanimously chosen Memphis as the site of their 2007 men's basketball tournament. Next year's women's tourney will be at Tulsa.

CUSA's board of directors is expected to approve the measure next month.

2006-05-17T08:40:00.000-05:00

I enjoy watching American Idol as much as the next guy, but there are some folks who take it too seriously. Along with messageboards filled with juvenile rantings over the contestants, there are the usual fan websites & even one called DialIdol which gives viewers the ability to easily vote for their favorite singer multiple times.

When it would be announced that 47 million folks voted, I often wondered how many of those were multiple voters. I would assume most folks are like me: they'll watch the show if they get a chance, but would never pick up a phone to vote (no matter how good looking Katherine McPhee is!).

I hate to sound like the rest of the kooks that claim football is fixed, NASCAR is fixed, etc. But I do wonder about the legitimate results of AI.

---

It took seven hours yesterday for the NFL Players Union & reps of the Tennessee Titans to present their respective sides in the ongoing dispute over Steve McNair & his use of team facilities during the offseason. It could be weeks before the arbitrator makes his decision.

Regardless of the politics behind the scenes of this dispute, there is hardly a way the Titans can emerge from this unharmed, even if they win their case. After all, it was the team that agreed to the contract that they are now wanting to re-work.

McNair will likely be in a Baltimore uniform this fall.

---

L.A. Lakers star Kobe Bryant will try his hand at being a studio analyst on TNT tonight. The invite comes after he got upset over comments by Charles Barkley in the Lakers game 7 playoff loss to Phoenix. Barkley claimed Kobe was selfish by not shotting the ball: "I think he stopped shooting so he could say, 'Those guys didn't help me.' "

Bryant used the 2006 method of responding to smacktalk by sending Barkley 20 text messages disagreeing with him.

---

It seems everyone is taking shots at NASCAR lately. The big debate in 2006 has been the so-called "BuschWhackers" in the Busch series. (For those that don't know, a "BuschWhacker" is term some apply to Cup drivers who also drive a Busch car.)

Now with more Saturday night races on the schedule that ever before, local tracks scattered around the country say that's hurting their attendance. But driver-turned TV analyst Darrell Waltrip tells Larry Woody of The Tennessean, "TV represents competition, certainly, but competition is part of any business, and you have to learn to deal with it. Track promoters have to be creative. There used to be a time when they could just open the gates and sell tickets. Those days are over."

---

Memphis basketball coach John Calipari was adamant last year that the new & weakened Conference USA needed only 14 conference games each season... and at least for one year he got his wish. But Cal tells Gary Parrish in the Commercial Appeal, "There was some talk about keeping it at 14 games, but I think what's happened is that it's just so hard for some of these schools to get non-conference games. I understand what some of these other schools are going through, so it's hard for me to sit there and argue with them ... even though I did because it could hurt me. But I'm fine with it, and we'll be fine."

It seems there was a five-hour debate over the issue yesterday as the conference's spring meeting continues in Destin, Fla. The NCAA is allowing schools 29 regular season games & there was concern from some schools in the league that they would have a hard time attracting opponents or afford to pay for buy games.

---

Guard Brandon Patterson, forward Mike Smith & center Marquis Young will not return to the Mississippi basketball team next season. The three asked for & were granted releases by new head coach Andy Kennedy.

---

2006-05-16T08:47:00.000-05:00

It's quite fascinating to observe the off-season of college sports. No, I am not talking about from a coach's perspective or even that of the student-athlete. I am talking of the fan point-of-view.

Various college messageboards are littered with talk ranging from favorite country music song to thoughts on the 2012 recruiting class. Sure, there is still discussion & logical debate, but it's nothing compared to in-season for football or basketball.

Now let's bring talk radio into the mix. I've always been of the opinion there is always something to talk about. It's how you present it to your audience which determines if it's a hot topic or not. I never feared the summer months & doing my job.

I say all this to share with you a portion of the Paul Finebaum Show I heard while travelling home from Atlanta yesterday. It seems Alabama coach Mike Shula has allegedly switched Catholic churches after being hounded for autographs. It came to light after Sports Illustrated made a brief mention of it, crediting the Greg Larson Show in Jacksonville, Fla.

So add the ingredients of Finebaum, Alabama football & talk radio... there was never a dull moment & Finebaum worked it like a master, even questioning why the Tuscaloosa News sat on the story. It was definitely entertaining the hour-or-so I carried the signal.

When listening to such topics I often ask myself what I would do in a similar situation (if I still had a show). Let's just say it was Memphis coach Tommy West... is this even news? Is it worth spending hours talking about? Probably not... but in Alabama in the middle of May it was talk of Crimson Tide football & that was all that mattered to them.

---

In the meantime, I am sure the hot button item on Atlanta radio yesterday afternoon was University of Georgia president Michael Adams stating his objection to the phrase, "world's largest outdoor cocktail party," used in reference to the Bulldogs annual showdown against Florida. He has asked CBS not to use it during the broadcast this fall.

---

"This thing, it's like you're chasing two ghosts, you know. It's, like, it's crazy. I can imagine what Roger Maris (who broke Ruth's single-season record in 1961) went through. Babe Ruth, I think, just kind of hovers over people a lot. I just go home and sleep now. I don't work out or train. I'm just exhausted all the time. I'm just tired, always tired. I've never been like this before." - Barry Bonds, on chasing the Babe's homerun record. Bonds failed again last night to hit no. 714, but the Giants did beat Houston, 10-1.

---

An arbitrator will hear the case today involving the situation between the Tennessee Titans & Steve McNair, which has kept the quarterbacck locked out of preseason workouts at Baptist Sports Park in Nashville. The players union is asking that McNair be allowed to workout or be released. The Titans want to renegotiate McNair's hefty contract before allowing him on the premises.

Meanwhile, the Titans are in limbo over who their QB is for the fall & training camp is less that two months away.

---

I've felt for awhile that the FESJC would eventually one day be held at Spring Creek Ranch, just north of Collierville. A story by Phil Stukenborg in today's Commercial Appeal only strengthens that belief.

Several things have to happen to make it feasible, & I am not just talking to the golf course itself. Parking & inadequate roads to handle the thousands that will show up come to mind everytime I drive by, so any move I believe is still years away.

---

While I was gone, CBS Sportsline's Dennis Dodd released his list of hot-seat ratings for every college football coach in Division 1A ball. No surprise, but Kentucky's Rich Brooks earned a 5, the highest ranking given, which means win now or you are outta there. Then again, I thought the same thing about Brooks last year. I guess predicting football at in Lexington is tougher than it looks.

Of local interest, Tigers' coach Tommy West was one of 33 total coaches to get a 0, meaning he can't be touched; Mississippi's Ed Orgeron gets a 1, equating very safe; down the road in Starkville, Mississippi State's Sylvester Croom draws a 2, safe & solid; Tennessee's Phillip Fulmer drew a 2.5, still in the safe category.

Click here for the complete list.

---

"Here is what you need to understand about coach (Alabama coach Paul 'Bear') Bryant. He had his weaknesses. He was a bit of a drunk in the offseason. He liked the ladies a little too randomly. A lot of the rich Alabamians with whom he ran -- and invested -- were of the coarse Snopesian stripe. But his foibles were private, and his virtues were public ones." - as written by former New York Times executive editor Howell Raines in his new book which reflects on his career, which included a stint in Birmingham. Raines was fired from the NYT in the wake of the Jayson Blair scandal.

---

Maybe I was wrong about Memphis standout Shawne Williams... maybe he will go pro. Only time will tell. If I was wrong, it's not the first time & it won't be my last.

---

The expansion of the ACC seems to be a hit, at least financially.

---

2006-05-10T08:05:00.000-05:00

Delmon Young should consider himself lucky... lucky that his suspension for throwing a bat at a minor league baseball umpire is only 50 games... lucky he didn't hurt the ump... lucky he will be allowed back in a kids game where he has a bright future.

In case you missed it, Young is a Tampa Bay prospect playing his AAA ball with Durham. On April 26 he was ejected in the first inning after taking a called third strike. He lingered in the batter's box, walked away, then turned & threw his bat end over end at the umpire, hitting him in the chest.

Something tells me there are probably some out there trying to find a way to justify his actions. "Are you proud of everything you did when you were young," they'll say when calling sportstalk shows.

No, I did a lot of stupid (some immature) things when I was young & in most cases I paid the appropriate price for each of them. The price Young is paying here is appropriate.

---

This incident reminds me we are nearing the 10th anniversary of the infamous Roberto Alomar spitting incident. It was Oct. 1, 1996, that umpire John Hirschbeck called a strike on Alomar of the Baltimore Orioles. I remember the TV footage well. There was no doubt about it, the second baseman spit in the ump's face.

Alomar was only suspended five games, umpires threatened to strike with MLB's postseason looming... it seems so tame compared to throwing a bat!

Unfortunately for Alomar, he tried to justify his actions & it turned many fans against him. He said Hirshbeck had changed since the death his son, who had been suffering from a rare brain disease.

Eventually, this story took a turn which gives it an almost Hollywood-eque ending. Alomar & Hirschbeck became close friends... Alomar, along with brother Sandy, began collecting autographed jerseys for auctions to benefit Hirschbeck's charity... sometimes unfortunate things happen as part of a bigger plan for us.

Speaking at his retirement in 2005, Alomar said, "We are now great friends. We have done some things with charity. God put us maybe in this situation for something. But I think people who know me, people who have had the chance to be with me on the same team, know what kind of person I am. Anything I ever did wrong, I would confront it and now it is OK."

---

Barry Bonds can rest easy at night: John Rocker has come to his defense!

"They’re basically just ganging up on him," Rocker said. "You can accuse him, and people who have never done steroids call themselves experts and say, ‘I know Barry did this, I know Barry did that.’ You can be as big and strong as you want, but you still have to hit them. You can walk into any gym in America and see these beefed-up, steroided-up guys and they’re not hitting 500 home runs."

---

The chair of the U.S. House Committee on Government Reform has sent a letter to MLB & it's players union saying there is "congressional concern" over the chance the league's drug testing policy could revert back to rules in 2005. It seems if a new contract is not in place by Aug. 1, the union has the option of ending the current & stiffer policy when the collective bargaining agreement expires.

---

The latest college bowl game has been announced. Birmingham will host the CUSA vs. Big East event Dec. 23 at Legion Field. Oh, this is also an ESPN-owned game, just like bowls in Hawaii, Las Vegas & Ft. Worth.

---

Here's something that will make you realize you're getting old quickly: ESPN's Chris Berman turns 51 today. "He could ... go ... all ... the ... way!"

---

If the CFL's Toronto Argonauts decide to drug test Ricky Williams, does that derail his chances of playing this year? Heck, he's SUSPENDED from the NFL so the bigger question is should Miami give him an ok to go play north of the border?

---

2006-05-09T22:28:00.000-05:00

This is the first time today I have been able to post on the blog. I have no idea what the problem was, but it was frustrating as I had a full morning update to post. It's too late for it now.

Thanks for stopping by. See you Wednesday!

2006-05-08T10:33:00.000-05:00

Unfortunately, the contraversy of Terrell Owens has grown bigger than the game of football itself. Whether it was by accident or design is debateable. Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells thinks he's found the solution... just don't talk about T.O.

Just two days after fielding 35 questions regarding the contraversial wide receiver,
Parcells told reporters Sunday that Owens talk is off limits until the start of training camp.

The zipped lip may stop Parcells from talking about Terrell, but that will be about it. This should be one lively summer for sportstalk radio in Dallas. Let's be honest, that's the way T.O. wants it, too.

---

Since I am writing about someone who likes attention, let's bring up Green Bay QB Brett Favre. Now that we know for sure, or are pretty sure, or at least believe Favre is back with the Pack this fall, he's already opening up debate for 2007, after telling us last month this was it: "I know I said that [in the offseason]...I hope you guys will respect me. I'm going to play this year, give it my best and not talk about it."

Brett, I want you to stay in the league as long as you want to stay or someone is willing to hire you. I just believe fans are growing tired of the mini-soap opera that has to take place each season.

---

The New York Post reports Fox Sports is strongly considering Pam Oliver or Jeanne Zelasko to host its Sunday NFL pregame show.

---

Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns easily wins the 2006 NBA MVP award.

---

According to the Houston Chronicle, USOC officials are in Houston today discussing the city as a potential site for the 2016 Olympic games.

---

"I'll be the first to admit that we had a lot more exposure over the last five or six years given to us that's sort of out line compared to what we've won and how we've run. I'm obvious to that — I'm not an idiot. So its good to get into Victory Lane every once in a while to back up the exposure and the hype." - Dale Earnhardt Jr., after winning Saturday night's Nextel Cup race at Richmond.

I am not sure who loves this guy more: the fans or the media. When Junior finally took the lead in the waning laps, you could clearly hear on TV the thunderous cheers & applause over the roar of the engines. After taking the checkered flag, several members of the Fox TV crew proclaimed Junior was back & this was likely the start of a big run for him.

Maybe so...

Maybe not...

Here's a glance at a handful of headlines from various newspaper websites around the country:

Late Victory Adds to Earnhardt's Legacy

Earnhardt Jr. serves notice that he's a contender for NASCAR title

‘Little E' win just what Nextel Cup needs

I was a big fan of Junior's old man, Dale Earnhardt. I hope "Little E" can live up to all the expectations. In the meantime I stand by a comment I made last November on Westwood One's Focus On Racing Radio: the heir-apparent to the NASCAR throne is Tony Stewart. He has two championships in four seasons; he's a bit of a bad boy; he knows what to say & do to get noticed.

If Dale Jr. wants to keep it in the family, a Cup championship in 2006 would be a good first step.

---

At first I thought it was a joke when I heard the IRL was considering holding a race in the PARKING LOT of Dodgers Stadium. Then I read where Dodgers' team officials have stopped talks with the racing league because the race would not make financial sense.

---

I give fans of the Philadelphia an "A" for effort, plus extra points for creativity after Frisco slugger Barry Bonds trip to the city I thought was known for brotherly love.

Fans holding posters of an asterisk speckled the stands over the weekend, but that has happened in other ballparks. Three guys dressed as juice boxes - that's a classic; others wore Bonds-like jerseys, sporting his no. 25 with the name "Roids" on the back.

Bonds did leave Philly with something to smile about: he stroked no. 713 to the upper deck Sunday, moving within one of tying Babe Ruth for second on the homerun list. Lost in this fact is the Giants lost... again... for the fourth time in-a-row.

---

Bloggin on DeAngelo:

(Carolina QB Jake) Delhomme will not be nervous around the Panthers' newest first-round draft choice, DeAngelo Williams. But he will be happy to have him in the backfield. Delhomme talked to reserve quarterback Stefan LeFors about Williams. LeFors played against Williams when the former was at Louisville and the latter was at Memphis. LeFors gave the rookie good reviews. - Tom Sorenson, Charlotte.com

---

2006-05-06T18:25:00.000-05:00

The blog will return... Have a great weekend!

2006-05-04T08:53:00.000-05:00

What would you do if you were Memphis Grizzlies' bossman Jerry West? Owner Michael Heisley? Coach Mike Fratello?

The Commercial Appeal mentioned this morning the team could be losing millions; consistent fan attendance is a problem; of course, it's well documented how poorly they performed in the offseason.

The team is clearly better than it was just five years ago. The fans I have spoken with are upset over losing to the Dallas Mavericks, but even more upset over what they felt was a lack of urgency from some of the Grizz stars. As one guy told me, "I told an usher after game 4 I deserved my money back, and she replied, 'Everyone here deserves it.'"

2006-05-03T10:37:00.000-05:00

"I was shocked how they played us and the confidence they had," Memphis Grizzlies guard Bobby Jackson said. "They were arrogant, and that's how you have to be. They had that mentality of 'I'm going in the arena and beat their [expletive].' We didn't have that." - Mavs' arrogance impressed Memphis' Jackson, Dallas Morning News

---

Steve McNair's grievance with the Tennessee Titans will be heard by an arbitrator May 16. If the ruling goes in the QB's favor, the team would have to allow McNair to work out at their facility or release him. Meanwhile, rumors continue to swirl of a possible McNair-to-Baltimore trade, although the team will likely watch the situation closely & try to pick him up if he becomes a free agent.

---

And while the Titans are fighting to keep McNair out of workouts, they are asking Pacman Jones to please show up. However, the cornerback's agent has told him to stay away for awhile.

Pacman has been a source of contraversy his entire time with Tennessee. In recent weeks he was at a gas station in the middle of the night when gunshots were fired. That came just days after Nashville police named Jones as an "aquaintance" of one of nine people arrested for drug trafficking.

Keep in mind neither of these two things are illegal & maybe the guy is just really unlucky. But his agent is only adding fuel to the fire because he wants to avoid a "media frenzy." Or maybe it's the wrath of some teammates not cool with the negative publicity he brings.

"If I thought it was practical for Pac to be there, he would be there," agent Michael Huyghue told The Tennessean. "But if I didn't remove him I think we probably could have reached some kind of real problem, so I just thought it makes sense if we kind of build some space and let tensions die down. I think if he comes back now, people are not just sitting in a three-point stance ready to jump on him."

---

Police are investigating Lakers center Kwame Brown for sexual assault. No charges have been filed & Brown has issued a statement proclaiming his innocence.

---

Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel writes today on how in the ongoing Kobe vs. Shaq debate, Bryant is now winning on the court, but not in the delivery room: At least Shaq got one win over Kobe this week. Monday, Kobe's wife and Shaq's wife both gave birth to girls. Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant was born at 2:03 a.m. PDT in California. Six minutes earlier, Mearah Sanaa O'Neal was born in Florida. Although this can't be confirmed, it is believed that little Mearah would have been born even earlier, but she had to sit in the birthing canal with three fouls.

---

The Raleigh News-Observer has a running count of days in N.C. State's search for a head basketball coach. How many have turned them down now? Three? Four? I have lost count. The latest name on Lee Fowler's list is Detroit Pistons assistant coach (plus, former Memphis Grizzlies coach) Sidney Lowe. Of course he was part of the 1983 title team of the Wolfpack.

Lowe doesn't have his bachelor's degree, something the university requires of its head coach. But Lowe says he will soon have it from, "a very credible university."

---

Ricky Williams' agent says his client is open to playing in the Canadian Football League while serving his suspension in the NFL for violating the league's substance abuse policy... again.

Is there a Mexico football league? After all, Mexican President Vicente Fox is expected to sign a bill that would legalize the use of nearly every drug or narcotic sold by the Mexican cartels.

---

Finally, I saw this quote somewhere recently & I have no idea who to attribute it to... but it sure applies in so many situations. Read it & think about it.

"The worst part of being lied to is knowing you aren't worth the truth."

2006-05-02T08:39:00.000-05:00

So pro golfer John Daly has lost $50-60 mllion in gambling, according to his autobiography to be released Monday. Just add this to the list of demons which seem to chase the guy.

I've always found Daly entertaining, wandering around a golf course with a cigarette in one hand & Diet Coke in the other. Despite not quite living up to fan expectations after winning two majors early in his career, he has remained a gallery favorite, especially at the FESJC. Just follow the roar of the crowd at TPC Southwind & there would be Daly. If he made the cut on Friday, you could expect a larger crowd to be there for tee off Saturday.

Let's face it, we've all been pulling for the guy to win... not just at golf, but at life.

An amusing Daly story at the FESJC happened in 2002. After two rounds he was -4 or -5 & was looking to match his top 5 finish at the tournament a year earlier. But disaster struck on Saturday & Daly shot a 79. Ouch.

I remember arriving at the TPC Sunday morning expecting to catch the last six or so holes of Big John, but a final score had already been posted. I asked around what had happened. It seems Daly was pretty disgusted with his game so he played his final round in less than two hours. When asked by a reporter before he started the round what he expected that day, he replied that he expected to be poolside at his Arkansas home after lunch. I believe Daly's prediction came true.

Hopefully his wife Sherrie has been a positive influence in his life, although she has had well documented legal problems of her own.

Even with all his troubles, Daly is very active in fundraising for various charities through his John Daly Foundation. He has an upcoming celebrity pro-am in June at Cottonwoods Golf Course in Tunica.

---

Is the city's patience wearing thin with the Grizzlies? After last night's embarrassing loss to Dallas, the Grizz are now 0-12 in NBA playoff history. I have been hesitant to jump on the bash Jerry West bandwagon, because I look at where the team was when he got here. But you would think after three-straight trips to the postseason you would luck into one win.

Until this year, there had been some grumbling amongst Tiger fans over their lack of postseason success. It will be interesting to listen to sports talk radio today & see what the verdict is on the Grizzlies.

Meanwhile, here's what's being written:

Mavs have a rout to the second round, 102-76

No struggle for Mavs this time

Sweep success

These Mavs exhibited their killer instinct

---

The Houston Chronicle reports the Astros are ready to fork over some mighty big bucks to lure Roger Clemens back. The two sides are expected to meet today & rumors are the contract would be a prorated equivalent of the $18 million they paid him last season.

---

2006-05-01T09:04:00.000-05:00

Grizzlies in the playoffs:

No time like now for Mavs

Mission impossible?

Grizzlies can make one last stand at FedExForum

---

Titans QB Steve McNair heading to Baltimore?

---

DeAngelo Williams draft news:

Is top pick another Steve Smith?
Their positions are different, but the Panthers believe the rookie running back brings the same kind of game-breaking ability Smith does. That's why the Panthers used the 27th overall pick on Williams, who will team with DeShaun Foster and Eric Shelton at running back. Foster is a back who can run inside and outside and the team believes Shelton can be effective in short-yardage and goal-line situations. But Williams might be different than any running back in franchise history. He's a flashy runner with breakaway speed who has the potential to be a consistent home-run threat.

Jersey number has meaning for Williams
"That's the number I wore in high school," Williams said at Bank of America Stadium. "I wore 34 in high school mainly because of Ricky Williams and what he did in college, when he played for Texas. Being in Arkansas, there were only two schools you'd ever see, Texas and Arkansas."

2006-04-29T15:36:00.000-05:00

DeAngelo Williams was just drafted 1st round no. 27 by the Carolia Panthers.

2006-04-29T08:29:00.000-05:00

DeAngelo Williams in today's NFL draft:

Bob Holt, Arkansas Democrat-Gazzette - 2006 NFL DRAFT : Made in Arkansas
DeAngelo Williams, a running back from Wynne who rushed for 6, 026 yards at the University of Memphis, is projected as a first-round pick in many mock drafts. If Williams goes in the first round of today’s draft, he’ll join Camden’s Shawn Andrews and Van Buren’s Matt Jones as small-town Arkansas guys who were first-round picks the previous two years.

Scott Loftis, Arkansas Democrat-Gazzette - Second Thoughts
"I’ll still continue to eat at Wendy’s, Burger King and McDonald’s. That’s not an endorsement. It’s just the way I eat." Running back DeAngelo Williams on how playing in the NFL will affect his life

Alan Schmadtke, Orlando Sentinel - White, Bush could go in first round
DeAngelo Williams might be the biggest beneficiary of Lendale White's slide. Blessed with downfield vision and balance, Williams logged nearly 8,000 all-purpose yards at Memphis. And he's approaching the draft as if he's trailing in a race. "I'm not one of those guys that's looking back. I turned my rear-view mirror off a long time ago," he said. "I'm chasing."

Zach McMillin, The Commercial Appeal - DeAngelo's day has finally arrived
Sandra Hill, the woman who gave DeAngelo Williams his smile and charisma, has become something of an NFL Draft fanatic over the last three months, and she has her own opinion about where her son will be picked in today's first round. Hill says it's going to be the Indianapolis Colts trading up to take Williams, who set numerous school, conference and NCAA rushing records in his four years at the University of Memphis.

---

The Houston Texans will choose NC State defensive end Mario Williams as the no. 1 draft pick later today. He's already signed a 6-year deal worth $54 million. The move leaves many shocked, including members of the team, that the front office would pass on USC's Reggie Bush & Texas QB Vince Young.

---

The last time the Tennessee Titans had such an early pick in the draft, they took a chance on a young QB out of Alcorn State named Steve McNair. That was 1995 & I believe that worked out pretty well for the team. Today, the Titans are expected to spend their no. 3 pick on another quarterback: Vince Young.

---

Grizzlies in the playoffs:

Giveaways hurting Griz

Griz tired of 0-10 talk, but only a win stops it

---

NASCAR driver & owner Michael Waltrip says he has talked to Dale Jarrett about joining his team next year when they debut the Toyota Camry in the Nextel Cup Series. What? No more DJ in the UPS commercials?! That would be disappointing. Then again, Jarrett needs to go somewhere he can win & it appears Robert Yates Racing ain't the place for him. But is an upstart team something a driver in the twilight of his career should really fool with?

---

2006-04-27T08:22:00.000-05:00

There could be a steroid contraversy coming soon to a college near you. The Dallas Morning News reports that among NCAA athletes who reported taking anabolic steroids, over 24-percent believe their coach knows what's going on. Almost 18-percent said the steroids came from a coach, trainer or team physician.

The entire report on substance abuse with college athletes can be found at NCAA.org.

Hey, at least the NCAA has their priorities. Tomorrow the organization will hear appeals from from Bradley University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, the University of Illinois-Champaign & the University of North Dakota over their use of mascots the NCAA believes to be offensive.

---

Meanwhile, the NCAA Division I Board of Directors will consider legislation today allowing 6-6 football teams to be bowl-eligible starting this season.

According to the NCAA website, other action items expected from the Board include:

Consideration of legislation defining season-length parameters for men’s and women’s basketball (and elimination of the “two-in-four rule”).

Approval of emergency legislation from the Working Group to Review Initial-Eligibility Trends that fortifies the validity of prospective student-athletes’ academic credentials and establishes a process by which to ferret out academic fraud in nontraditional high schools (that is, the so-called “diploma mills”).

Possible determination of the appropriate cut points in the APR under which teams become subject to the historically based penalties in the academic-reform structure.

Possible elimination of the subdivision labels in football (advocates for this have long believed the I-AA and I-AAA labels that apply only to football have been inappropriately used by media and others to label entire athletics programs).

---

Grizzlies in the playoffs (AKA Will they ever win a postseason game?):

Bear down: Mavs beat Grizzlies easily, 94-79

Memphis' clock strikes 12 during Mbenga time

Grizzlies still perfect as they lose once again

---

What's being written about DeAngelo Williams:

Randy Covitz, Kansas City Star - Memphis’ Williams has put up numbers like another No. 20
Williams, a compact, 5-foot-9, 214-pound whirlwind expected to be a late first-round pick in Saturday’s NFL draft, conjures up images of Hall of Famer Barry Sanders, with his thick build and ability to start, stop, dash, dart and change directions, sometimes all on one play.

The Lakeland Ledger - Dolphins Might Add RB to Draft Wish List
Coach Nick Saban declined to comment Wednesday on how the suspension (of Ricky Williams) alters the Dolphins' draft priorities. But they don't consider (Ronnie) Brown a workhorse running back, and with Sammy Morris and Travis Minor behind him on the depth chart, the position needs an upgrade. Running back prospects Miami might consider in Round 1 are LenDale White of Southern California, DeAngelo Williams of Memphis and Laurence Maroney of Minnesota.

Kent Somers, The Arizona Republic - Still talent at RB after Bush
After Houston takes Reggie Bush with the first pick in this weekend's draft, you could probably mow the yard, wash the car and take a good nap before the next running back is chosen. But that chasm between Bush and the rest of the field doesn't mean there is a dearth of talent at the position. There are a handful of running backs worthy of being selected in the first round. Minnesota's Laurence Maroney is fast enough to run outside, can change speeds and is a good blocker. DeAngelo Williams of Memphis is quick and has great moves. Joseph Addai was never a featured back at Louisiana State, but he has made a steady rise up the draft boards over the past few months.

Connor Byrne, RealFootball365.com - Walker, Williams would solidify Denver's offense
In the event that the Denver Broncos do add wide receiver Javon Walker before this weekend's draft, they can shift their focus away from the receiver position in Round One, and turn their attention to the running back position. Denver has the No. 15 overall pick on Saturday, so they'll be in peak position to select DeAngelo Williams, formerly of Memphis. The Broncos already have the 5-11, faster than lighting third-year man Tatum Bell, but Shanahan likes to employ two back sets, as he did when Anderson was with the team. Williams is by no means a bruising back like Anderson, but he'd be splendid in Denver's system, which seems to magically produce 1,000 yard backs year in and year out. During his career at Memphis, Williams emerged as one of the preeminent backs in the country. Williams stands only 5-9, but he makes up for it with his great running skills, the ability to block and be a receiver from the backfield. He's scarily similar to the 5-11 Bell, who is actually one pound lighter than the 214 pound Williams. If USC star Reggie Bush wasn't in the upcoming draft, it would be Williams hogging most of the spotlight at the running back position.

---

The Houston Bowl appears to be in big trouble. It was revealed last week the bowl still owes Iowa State & TCU over half of their payout. Today, officials are meeting with various conference heads in Orlando to discuss the bowl's future.

---

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has polled 10 presidents of BCS universities & all but one would consider a "plus-one" model for college football, meaning a championship game would be played one week after the major BCS bowls are played.

---

After being turned down by TV commentator Steve Lavin Wednesday, N.C. State was ready to turn to West Virginia's John Beilein as their next head coach. That is until Beilein issued a statement saying, "It has never been my philosophy to comment on job openings at other schools, but the speculation today about me accepting another head coaching job is erroneous. I am flattered by the interest and recognition that the basketball program has received. I will be the coach at West Virginia next season."

---

2006-04-26T17:28:00.000-05:00

Afternoon update:

Here's something to chew on. I've heard many Tiger fans say, "Well, if Cal leaves we can always find a good coach with the money we've been paying him."

Not true.

Poor N.C. State has had a third coach tell them thanks, but no thanks. Steve Lavin is the latest to turn down the Wolfpack. With a contract speculated somewhere around 2-million being floated around, why can they not find a coach? What's wrong with this situation?

2006-04-26T09:36:00.000-05:00

No, I am not surprised nor do I really blame Darius Washington & Shawne Williams for testing the NBA draft waters. Do I think the two Tigers standouts need at least another year in the college ranks? Absolutely.

So there reignites the debate: if the opportunity is there, do you take the money & run or do you further improve your skills to better you draft chances in the future?

That's tough to answer & we can debate it all day long. I'm a proponent of a kid staying in college as long as possible & my reasons are numerous. However, I cannot judge a young man for taking a chance to immediately change his family's life.

The date to withdraw is June 18, 10 days before the draft. A player is then eligible to return to his college team if he didn't hire an agent or do anything to taint his amateur status.

My prediction: Darius is gone, but Shawne will be back in a Memphis uniform next season.

---

Grizzlies in the playoffs:

Memphis has a not-to-do list for Game 2

Jones' team dinner suggests a cohesion that subdue Dallas

Win tonight is crucial for Griz's future

Business Pulse results: Cost of Grizzlies games keeping some fans away

---

Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s no. 8 Budweiser Chevy will sport a black paint scheme, reminiscent of his late father's famous no. 3, this weekend in Talledega. It's to honor his father's induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.

---

Texas & Arkansas will resume their football rivalry in 2008, according to several reports.

---

I feel sorry for sportstalk show hosts across the country... why? It appears Brett Favre will return to the Green Bay Packers, according to the team's website. As a now-former sports host, I always found there were two topics that could stir the pot: should Pete Rose be in the Hall & should Favre retire. You could stir heated emotions on both sides of the issue.

The 36-year old QB is going to give it at least one more try. Last season he threw a career-high 29 interceptions. His fault? Sure, some of them. But he needs more tools around him to win again. Brett may not be in his prime, but he should have another playoff run in him. He just needs some help.

---

Remember the Whizzinator, a device used to beat drug tests? Minnesota Vikings running back Onterrio Smith was busted with one a year ago, then failed a drug test later in the spring which resulted in a one-year suspension.

A source close to Smith says the NFL has informed him he will NOT be reinstated next month, which could mean he didn't fulfill all mandatory obligations under the NFL's treatment plan.

---

Ricky Williams has let down his teammates again. Are you surprised? The Dolphins running back lost his appeal yesterday over his fourth violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy. He will miss the entire 2006 season, including the playoffs.

---

The Tennessean newspaper in Nashville asked 50 questions of Matt Leinart, Vince Young & Jay Cutler. Click here & you will know more about these guys than you really wanted.

---

2006-04-25T10:13:00.000-05:00

"With the commitment that we have here, why can't we do special things here? Why can't we be in the top 25? Why can't we be one of the elite programs in the country? I asked the players that: Why not us?" - new SMU basketball coach Matt Doherty, speaking to media yesterday after he was officially announced as the Mustangs new basketball coach.

I am cautiously optimistic this is a good move for SMU. It's time schools around CUSA step up & improve their basketball programs. With UAB hiring former Indiana coach Mike Davis, maybe CUSA basketball will follow the lead of football. After all, CUSA football is known for George O'Leary at UCF, Mike Price at UTEP & even Tommy West at Memphis.

See the similarities? O'Leary had his problems emerge when he accepted the Notre Dame job, Price made a mistake or two right after taking the Alabama job. Both have received second chances & have been pretty successful.

Maybe that is the natural step for CUSA basketball. Former party hopper Larry Eustachy has just dismantled Southern Miss in hopes of rebuilding; Davis never had the support of the Hoosiers faithful, but the Blazer fans will be there if he provides an up-tempo game, similar to that of former coach Mike Anderson. And Doherty, a former national coach of the year, now has the chance to improve SMU in a league fighting for respect.

---

Could former Rebels basketball coach Rod Barnes soon call Knoxville home? UT coach Bruce Pearl is considering Barnes & Bob Sundvold to replace Scott Edgar, now head coach at Southeast Missouri.

---

Grizzlies in postseason...

Grizzlies' Jackson a king-sized problem

Gasol knows he has to play better than Game 1

Will drama behind scene have effect on Grizzlies?

---

The NFL Players Association will hear the case of Titans QB Steve McNair.

---

Determining a national champion in college football shouldn't be difficult. The BCS is doing a little PR this week selling the idea of the fifth game which is supposed to open opportunities for football teams residing in non-BCS conferences. The fifth game will also be hosted at the same site which will host the national title game.

---

2006-04-24T09:04:00.000-05:00

Thanks for all the emails as the blog has not been updated for nine days. Last week was pretty busy for an unemployed guy! The job search continues & I hope to any day have news on that front. A slight back problem I have been dealing with for a couple of months made it difficult to sit in front of my computer last week, but doctors are working to fix it.

2006-04-15T13:04:00.000-05:00

Wow, what a week. Memphis coach John Calipari keeps Tiger fans happy electing to stay put here instead of trekking to N.C. State. Meanwhile, Tigers football coach Tommy West receives a slight raise & extension & that spurs the debate over whether he's worth the money or not. Finally, the death of Logan Young went from a murder investigation to an accidental death. Maybe I watch way too much CSI or Law & Order, but I just feel there is more to this story.

---

It seems SMU has officially interviewed Texas assistant basketball coach Rodney Terry for the vacant head coach's position. It's also being reported that "informal" talks have been held with ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla. Jimmy Tubbs was fired last week for alleged NCAA violations.

---

New UAB basketball coach Mike Davis has announced his staff.

---

As someone on the outside looking in at the resignation this week of Melrose High School football coach Chester Flowers Jr., I can't help but feel sorry for the first-year coach of the Golden Wildcats. He led the team to the State 4A championship game, finishing with a 13-2 record. He was at the helm of a storied program which has amazing fan support.

But somewhere along the way it sounds like the job became too much of a headache, so he walked.

"Some are going to think I'm out of my mind to just walk away like this, but I've discussed it with my family and my pastor and they support me in my decision, and that's all that matters," Flowers told the Commercial Appeal. "I want to do things that are more gratifying to the soul, like going to St. Jude (Children's Research Hospital) and visiting sick children and going to nursing homes and visiting the elderly."

Those are all admirable things, but so is teaching young men the game of football & the game of life. I know, it's why I coached youth league baseball many years ago. It was gratifying & it served a positive purpose, similar to what coach Flowers I am sure was doing at Melrose. But then it sounds like it turned into a job with too many headaches, too much stress & no room for satisfying the needs of young men.

---

Pop quiz: What college athletic department had the largest profit in 2005? USC you say? No. Florida? Again, no, but you are getting warmer. The University of Georgia turned a $23.9-million PROFIT last year! All I can say is wow.

---

A poll released today indicates a majority of Californians believe slugger Barry Bonds has used steriods. A Field Poll says 58-percent point the finger at Bonds, with the number jumping to 68-percent if the respondent also claimed to be a fan of baseball.

---

The big question in New York is will Larry Brown return to the Knicks? The coach was at his Connecticut home yesterday resting after spending a day in a hospital for a stomach ailment. Add this to the rest of the turmoil that is the New York Knicks right now & if I were the 65-year old Brown, I would take a walk... hasta la vista, baby.

For the record, Brown's agent says he will be back next season.

---

Broadcasting 101: every mic is hot (turned on) & should always be treated as such. If not, you'll sooner or later say something that at the least will embarrass you... at worst, it could cost you your job. Look, it's happened to me... I've heard it happen to Jack Buck, Joe Buck & even Pat Summerall.

Years ago I was doing color on a high school football game. During what he assumed was a lengthy halftime break, the play-by-play guy flipped our headset receiver to a competing station so we could get a score of another local high school's football game. We started listening to the newby they had behind a mic & couldn't help but laugh. But I was the one who opened my big mouth & said, "Wow, he is awful!"

Looking at his stopwatch, the PBP guy flipped back, thinking we were about to return to the air. But when we hit our station all we could hear was the crowd mic. It seems we had been on-the-air for about 60 seconds... yes, our entire conversation was out there. It was embarrassing, but at least there were no "f" bombs or anything similar offered.

Oh, to top it off, our studio producer who was not smart enough to cover the entire break was smart enough to edit our aircheck tape, so we had no physical proof of what occurred. But there were plenty of earwitnesses that let us know.

I go through this whole story after reading this one which caught a pair of NY Mets TV announcers with a conversation they had no idea they were sharing every viewer.

---

Happy Easter, everyone.

2006-04-13T14:24:00.000-05:00

It was announced at a press conference this afternoon that Memphis businessman Logan Young died from blunt force trauma to the head, believed to have occurred when he fell down the stairs at his home earlier this week.

This is an amazing turnaround from reports which surfaced Tuesday that his death was a homicide investigation & he could only be identified through dental records & fingerprints, which led us to believe it was a nasty crime scene.

2006-04-12T11:13:00.000-05:00

So what are the bloggers writing about Cal's decision to stay at Memphis?

The Sports World According to Dub - Apparently, NCSU's pursuit of men's basketball coach John Calipari has ended as reports are coming out that Calipari will decline the coaching job. Evidently Calipari's not a fan of sweet tea and BBQ after all. (My note: obviously the author has never had Memphis BBQ or sweet tea; ours beats theirs any day of the week.)

Rick Bozich - John Calipari is reportedly out of the NC State job. Smart move by Cal. If you can dominate C-USA, why would you want to dine on any scraps left by Coach K and Roy Williams? I know NC State is talking major money, but who wants to be the third fish in a two-fish tank? (My note: yes, this is the same Bozich that writes for the Courier-Journal; which begs the question, why does a published journalist need a blog to publish?)

Unknown Column - Say what you will about John Calipari, and plenty has been said about the guy, both good and bad, but he made a wise decision in turning down bigger bucks from North Carolina State to stay at Memphis. Yeah, this may come as a surprise to some folks who believe the ACC is hallowed and sacred, but Calipari isn't dumb. The Tigers are huge in Memphis. Hell, before the Grizzlies arrived, they were the biggest - and, really, only - show in town. The city loves the team and they play in an NBA arena. With more seasons like the one recently completed, Calipari could be king in Memphis. (My note: even with the Grizz in town, the Tigers are still the biggest; last month was a prime example. Now if the Grizzlies make a little noise in the NBA playoffs, their fever will catch, too.)

StateFans Nation - With that comes the conclusion of the John Calipari 2006 Contract Renegotiation Tour Ultimately, the guy ended up being the slimeball that so many people warned us that he was. We don’t express these sentiments out of frustration for Calipari’s rejection of NC State. We say this because of they way that all of this went down. We also hope that our leaders at NC State take advantage of the opportunity to publicly call out Calipari for his behavior during the conversations - what the hell do you have to lose? (My note: hey, you win some, you lose some... you lost. Get over it!)

T.J.'s Take - John Calipari? "No thanks." Rick Barnes? "Nahh."
0 for 2. That's what NC State is batting so far in this contest of a coaching search. Well...perhaps we should make that 0 for 3, because afterall, they had a good coach that they let get away and move out west. But my question is this. Why is NC State having such a hard time filling this vacancy? Could what we, who are close to the situation have suspected for some time, actually be true? Could NC State be as irrelevant in college basketball as most Duke and UNC fans would have you believe? (My note: go hire Bobby Knight & get it over with.)

2006-04-12T07:53:00.000-05:00

Two stories have thrust Memphis into the national spotlight over the last 24 hours. The first actually started Sunday when North Carolina State made a trip to Memphis to lure away Tigers basketball coach John Calipari.

As they story was building, word came yesterday morning that businessman Logan Young was found dead at his Memphis home. As the day wore on, we learned of details from the scene which led confirmed it was a murder investigation.

This morning we wake up with the good news that Coach Cal is staying in Memphis. Add to it the sad news that Young's son is being questioned in his father's death.

---

Thanks to my friends Wayne & Lee at WNSP-FM in Mobile, Ala., for having me on this morning to talk about these two stories.

---

I was asked Sunday night what I thought Cal would do. I had just arrived back in town after tending to a family matter in Atlanta, so I was out-of-the-loop, so to speak. Heck, I had just missed the Memphis Tigers spring football game; little did I know basketball was still making headlines.

All along I thought Cal would stay. Memphis has Final Four talent on board next year & Cal has spent many seasons trying to get the program to this point. When Memphis agreed to sweeten his contract here, I think it became an easy choice for him to stay.

I am not saying there weren't some times during this whole process that Tigers fans shouldn't have been nervous. Anytime someone wants your coach, proceed cautiously. Sometimes they make an offer you can't refuse. But right now, Cal is good for the university & the university is good for Cal.

---

What's being written about Calipari:

Ken Tysian, Charlotte Observer - Calipari won't join Pack
John Calipari apparently will accept a raise and stay at Memphis instead of accepting an offer to coach basketball at N.C. State, a source close to the Memphis athletics program said Tuesday.

Chip Alexander & Caulton Tudor, Raleigh News-Observer - Calipari spurns State
Those with knowledge of the search say Texas coach Rick Barnes and Calipari were far and away the Pack's top two targets. Now that both have rejected NCSU's entreaties, Wolfpack athletics director Lee Fowler may next contact LSU coach John Brady, who guided the Tigers to the Final Four this year.

---

One raise & contract extension came from the University of Memphis yesterday with little drama. Football coach Tommy West received an extension through 2010 along with an unspecified raise putting him somewhere between his old salary of $800,000 & $1 million.

The new deal also means more money for assistants. I fully believe a huge part of Tommy's success comes from little turnover at key positions on his staff.

---

Southern Mississippi is still committed to improvements to their facilities, even in Hurrican Katrina has altered the plan slightly.

Athletic director Richard Giannini tells the Clarion-Ledger construction could start on some projects this fall, with much-needed improvements finished at the football stadium & basketball coliseum by 2008.

Not only did Katrina delay the start, it has sent construction costs skyrocketing as everyone around the region is rebuilding in the hurricane's aftermath.

---

What's in a name? For former boxing great Muhammad Ali it's $50 million. Ali sold 80-percent of marketing rights to his name & likeness to a marketing firm CKX, the same company which holds rights to American Idol & the name of Elvis Presley.

---

2006-04-11T17:51:00.000-05:00

Evening update...

As I expected, it appears Coach Cal will be staying put in Memphis. If it hasn't happened already, an announcement should come tonight or in the morning. I was told it could happen this evening so it would make deadline for newspapers tomorrow.

Now that this appears to be coming to an end, I think it is interesting how coaching searches are vastly different today than just a few years ago before the internet. Fans can connect immediately with other fans; the fans & the media can track airplanes & then speculate on who is on them; numerous blogs can provide insight or additional info to what the mainstream media is offering.

---

Traffic here has been triple what it normally is. For those of you new to the site, please come by again & tell other folks about it. I try to update every day. Also, feel free to post a comment or drop me an email at forrest@forrestgoodman.com.

---

All the news so far this week really gives me the itch to fire up an internet radio show. What do you think?

2006-04-11T10:08:00.000-05:00

BREAKING NEWS: Alabama booster Logan Young found dead this morning

---

Wow, the spike in traffic here at the ol' blog has been amazing the last 24 hours. Everyone wants to know what Calipari is doing, where is he going & will he stay at Memphis.

I've tried to asnwer every email I have received, but in case I missed you, I don't much more than you do about what's happening. But what little extra I know leads me to believe John Calipari will be coaching the Memphis Tigers next season. Plus, I think all of this will be settled in the next 24 hours.

---

In the meantime, here's what folks are saying:

Jim Young, Greensboro News-Record - Calipari makes day trip to N.C. State
"I can't imagine, with that interest, him coming to Raleigh and seeing something that would cause him to change his mind," said Butch Wilson, of Burlington, a member of the Wolfpack Club's board of directors. While Calipari likely visited the RBC Center and the Dail Basketball Complex when he came to N.C. State, he left behind an athletics director and boosters in Memphis who were feverishly trying to come up with a compensation package to match any offer from the Wolfpack.

Randy Rosetta, The Advocate - Brady on N.C. State short list
ESPN.com writer Andy Katz wrote Monday that if the Wolfpack’s pursuit of Memphis coach John Calipari falls through, then N.C. State would “turn to LSU’s John Brady.”
On www.newsobserver.com, the Web site of the Raleigh News and Observer, veteran sportswriter and columnist Carlton Tudor lists Brady as a candidate on the Wolfpack’s “wide radar screen” should Calipari turn down N.C. State’s overtures.
Brady and LSU Athletic Director Skip Bertman were unavailable for comment Monday.

Ken Tysiac, Charlotte Observer - Calipari still on Pack's radar
A source close to Calipari told the Observer he expects Calipari to accept the N.C. State job if N.C. State and Memphis make similar offers. The Observer has been unable to confirm reports N.C. State offered Calipari close to $2 million a year. Craig Fenech, Calipari's New Jersey-based agent, declined to comment.

Andrew Jones, Wilmington Star-News - After ‘due diligence,’ N.C. State comfortable with Memphis coach
John Calipari has been offered the job at N.C. State, a source very close to the situation told the 'Star-News' late Monday night, but sources close to N.C. State were unaware of Calipari’s decision by the time the 'Star-News' went to press.
According to published reports, State extended an offer on Monday, reportedly worth $1.7 million annually, and Calipari would receive money from a trust fund, which hasn’t been finalized. According to sources, school officials have given “due diligence at the highest level possible” in their efforts to dig into Calipari’s controversial background. While they have acknowledged the last few days their respect for Calipari as a coach, they wanted assurance that his suspect reputation was more fiction than reality.

---

Virginia Commonwealth coach Jeff Capel will likely be announced as the new head coach at Oklahoma later today.

---

New SMU athletic director Steve Orisini isn't on the job yet in Dallas, but he's very much involved in looking for the school's next basketball coach. Orisini will take vacation from his current post at UCF to work with SMU retiring AD Jim Copeland & university president Gerald Turner to find a replacement for Jimmy Tubbs, who was fired last week.

---

Larry Eustachy wants to shake up his Golden Eagles roster. "We could sign as many as nine guys," Eustachy told the Clarion-Ledger. "My goal is not just to be an upper tier program in Conference USA behind Memphis. My goal is to be a conference champion like Memphis. We want to win. That's a must. We have to do that."

---

Sunday's national rating for The Masters earned a 9.0, compared to the NASCAR race at Texas which garnered a 4.8. What's confusing the experts is viewership for both events was down compared to 2005, with The Masters taking a 13-percent hit. Then again, some guy named Tiger Woods was in the hunt last year on the final day. It's amazing the difference one guy makes.

---

I was watching a show last night on Spike TV called Pros vs. Joes, a reality show which seems to pit regular guys against retired pro players. I didn't catch much of it, but what I saw was pretty funny. These guys had to try to tackle Herschel Walker in a one-on-one drill. It was quite entertaining watching guys, who all looked to be in good shape, just bounce of Walker.

The show will be repeated this weekend on Spike TV, so the DVR is set so I can check the whole thing out.

---

Matt Leinart is working out for the Tennessee Titans today in Nashville. Have you packed your bags yet, Steve McNair?

---

Speaking of McNair, teammate & NFL union players rep Peter Sirmon sides with McNair on the issues right now dividing the quarterback & his employer. The Titans refused to allow McNair to go through team workouts last week since his future is in question with the team as they sort out his contract.

---

Former Titans running back Eddie George interviewed with ESPN yesterday. He's trying to land a job with the network starting this fall.

---

Following Vice President Dick Cheney's hunting mishap in February, I must admit I found this headline entertaining in today's New York Daily News, in regards to Cheney throwing out the first pitch in today's Nationals game against the Mets: Duck! Cheney gets 1st pitch

---

Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw donated his four Super Bowl rings, College Football Hall of Fame & Pro Football Hall of Fame rings,his Hall of Fame bust, four miniature replica Super Bowl trophies & a helmet & jersey from one of his Super Bowl victories to Louisiana Tech. They will put them on display on campus.

"I don't need [these things] to remind me of anything," Bradshaw said. "I played in those games, and that's all the memories I need. All of this memorabilia represents blood, sweat and tears throughout my career, and it's nice to know that there is now a permanent home for it."

2006-04-10T14:15:00.000-05:00

As the Basketball Turns...

Gary Parrish, Commercial Appeal - Tigers try to sweeten the pot for Calipari

NBCSports.com - Wolfpack trying to hire Calipari

The Memphis Flyer - Should He Stay Or Should He Go Now?

---

2006-04-10T09:03:00.000-05:00

It's Monday morning & as far as I know Memphis still has a basketball coach. However, the Calipari-to-N.C. State rumors are out there. Here's the latest:

David Glenn, David Glenn's ACC Journal - NCSU Offer "Overwhelms" Calipari
"He (Cal) used the word 'overwhelming,'" the source said. "He said, going into the meeting, he was just going to listen. He came out and said he doesn't think there's any way Memphis can afford to pay the kind of money N.C. State is offering."

Jim Young, Greensboro News-Record - N.C. State pursues Calipari
Unless N.C. State athletics director Lee Fowler and university Chancellor James Oblinger suddenly decided to visit Graceland or Beale Street, it became clear Sunday that the Wolfpack is very interested in University of Memphis basketball coach John Calipari.

John DeLong, Winston-Salem Journal - Wolfpack officials are waiting for Calipari's decision on job offer

---

N.C. State started heavy pursuit of Cal after being turned down by Texas coach Rick Barnes last week. It's reported Barnes will receive a raise in his new contract with the Longhorns, taking him from $1.3 million to $1.8 million.

---

If I was Tennessee Titans QB Steve McNair, my bags would already be packed & my house for sale... I can think of at least six teams right off the top of my head that could use him at quarterback.

---

Larry Woody of The Tennessean writes today of later start times for NASCAR races, thanks to TV. I see I am not the only one who has noticed that just a couple or three seasons ago I could walk in & watch the pre-race show right after church. Thanks to TV, I can come home, eat lunch, put my two-year old down for a nap & just about slip into a napping state myself before the green flag drops.

But I am not complaining. It's the price of success. TV dictating what a sports leagues does or does not do is nothing new. That comes with mult-million dollar contracts.

There was one fact by Woody that was very revealing at the end of his column: NASCAR's TV ratings trail only the NFL's among pro sports. The telecast of the Nextel Cup race at Bristol last month went up against the UConn-George Mason NCAA Tourney thriller and the race drew one million more viewers nationally. Fox's 2½ hours of coverage of a rainout at Atlanta (driver interviews, taped segments, commentary, etc.) drew higher ratings that day than the NBA game on ABC and PGA tournament on NBC.

I used to upset folks when I would say on my old show that NASCAR was now the no. 2 sport in the country. Guess I was pretty close.

---

Remember how we all used to make fun of Phil Mickelson? Lefty picked up his second Masters title in three years yesterday. And some folks are predicting a golf grand slam this season. Stay tuned...

---

2006-04-06T08:04:00.000-05:00

A drop in attendance has the Memphis Grizzlies scratching their heads. The team is currently 26th in the NBA after finishing 19th last season. Memphis is 43-32 & on the verge of their third-straight playoff appearance.

---

It appears SMU basketball coach Jimmy Tubbs in on his way out. He's in the second year of a four-year contract, but met extensively with his AD yesterday to discuss the specifics of an ongoing NCAA investigation into his program. Any SMU coach can be terminated without compensation if it is proven he or she knowling committed a NCAA violation.

A decision on Tubbs is expected by Friday.

---

I have been told UAB is close to announcing Mike Davis as their new head basketball coach. Two unrelated sources told me yesterday a deal was close & a press conference could happen today or Friday. Today's Birmingham News reports an offer is close for the former Indiana coach, although UAB officials did interview Florida assistant head coach Anthony Grant on Wednesday.

---

The Mississippi basketball program lost an assistant basketball coach & a signee all in one day. First, coach Tracy Dildy surprised the administration yesterday after announcing he is leaving the program. Dildy was a finalist for the top spot, after serving as an assistant on former coach Rod Barnes staff. He was retained by new coach Andy Kennedy last week.

It was also learned yesterday that signee Eric Bozeman has been released from his letter-of-intent, after his father said the Rebels were no longer in his son's nest interest.

---

South Carolina basketball coach Dave Odom released a statement yesterday removing his name from the list of candidates for coach at N.C. State or any other university. "I have not nor do I expect to have any contact with any other university about any coaching vacancy. I have no interest in leaving the University of South Carolina. I am totally committed to focusing all of my attention and energies on the continued development of our team and program."
---

Those six arrested Mississippi State football players I mentioned here earlier this week have been suspended by coach Sylvester Croom & will miss Saturday's Maroon & White game. The six, all freshmen, are accused of assaulting an off-duty police officer in a fight last Saturday night at a Starkville business.

At least one eyewitness claims the football players were trying to break up a fight between two females.

---

University of Georgia football coach Mark Richt has become a proponent of an on-campus, alcohol-free nightclub.

---

Minor league baseball will start tonight, with or without their striking umpires. The Association of Minor League Umpires voted on the move last month over what the group call "noneconomic & economic issues."

The association's president has a dire prediction: "They're jeopardizing the players on the field and putting a less-quality product on the field for the fan. The talent and speed of the game is so high, particularly at the Triple-A level, that it's going to be hard to maintain those high expectations and standards without us. I think there's going to be disapproval, by managers, players and fans. It's a real shame."

The replacements will consist of retired professional umps & collegiate umps. Something tells me most fans won't even notice a difference.

---

High school standout Michael Beasley may not be a lock to head to Kansas State after all. Beasley's mother tells the Charlotte Observer, "Michael's thing is Dalonte (Hill) left and he thinks they're throwing him out behind him. He feels like he's been tossed out on his head. If Charlotte throws in the towel because Dalonte left, that says to me, `Do they really honestly deserve him?' I think Charlotte should recruit him, keep being there for him. Michael loves that school. Don't turn your back on him."

Although he committed to the 49ers at the age of 15, it was assumed by many Beasley would follow Hill, who left Charlotte to join the staff of Bob Huggins last week. Beasley's mother was quick to point out her son is not part of a package deal.

---

Here's a good story on Will Bogan, who committed to Coach Cal & the Tigers last year. He's just a junior & this was actually his first year of playing high school basketball, but he's been named the Southeast Missouri Player of the Year & helped lead Bell City to the Class 1 state championship game.

---

Former baseball star Dwight Gooden is behind bars for violating his probation. The judge offered him the following deal: serve a year-and-a-day for the violation or reinstate probation, but if he violated it again, it would mean serving the full five-year sentence. Gooden, who admits an addiction to cocaine, opted to take no chances & just serve the current sentence.

Gooden will likely spend only seven months of so because he will get credit for time already served. The former Mets pitcher found himself in hot water last August when he ran from police. When he was caught, he failed a drug & alochol test & was taken into custody for breaking the rules of his probation.

---

Did anybody watch the Barry Bonds reality show on ESPN2? According the numbers, it appears I am not the only one who missed it.

---

The IOC has told baseball to clean up its act for alleged doping if it wants reinstatement to the Olympics. Baseball was removed from the games set for 2012 in London. Baseball can apply in 2009 for participation in the 2016 event. IOC president Joacques Rogue says progress has been made in cleaing up the sport, but not to the point where the "Olympic family would accept it."

---

Pro golfer Tom Lehman was unhurt after a 26-year old thug decided to use Lehman's courtesy car for target practice. Lehman is at Augusta this week for the Masters. He was on his way to the airport earlier this week to pick up his son when he heard a loud pop. A bullet hole was found in his 2006 Escalade. Troy Willis Smith was charged with the shooting, after being arrested for a seperate charge Tuesday night.

2006-04-04T08:16:00.000-05:00

University of Memphis basketball coach John Calipari has been the center of attention now for three job openings. First it was Indiana, then Oklahoma, now N.C. State. Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson told the Commercial Appeal Monday that a new contract, including pay raises for assistants, was coming.

---

Is N.C. State a better job than Memphis? Rick Barnes' name is tossed around, so is it better than Texas? Is it worth Jay Wright leaving Villanova?

Steve DeShazo, Fredricksburg Free Lance-Star - Schools in need of coaches likely to eye Larranaga
George Mason coach Jim Larranaga has said he is happy in Fairfax and has agreed in principle with athletic director Tom O'Connor on a raise, but has not signed a contract extension. Meanwhile, his name has begun to pop up in rumors about coaching vacancies at N.C. State and elsewhere.

Andrew Jones, Wilmington Star-News - Wolfpack zeroes in on Barnes
State’s first choice is Texas coach Rick Barnes, who has led the Longhorns to the NCAA Tournament in each of his eight seasons at the helm and built the program into national prominence. Barnes told the Austin American-Statesman on Sunday he wasn’t "thinking" about the N.C. State job. Sources close to Barnes have said he’s quite content and happy in Texas, but if there’s a job that could lure him away N.C. State would fit the description. While Barnes is clearly State’s top candidate, the school has a list that extends beyond Barnes. Miami coach Frank Haith has ties to North Carolina and would be a possible long-term solution. Haith, 38, is from Burlington and graduated from Elon. He understands the passion of ACC basketball fans and described his hiring by Miami two years ago a "blessing." Haith inherited a struggling program at Miami. But the Hurricanes have gone 16-13 and 18-16, making the NIT both seasons. Haith, however, said on Monday he hasn’t been contacted by N.C. State.

Ken Tysiac, Charlotte Observer - AD Fowler keeps mum on possible candidates
If (Lee) Fowler has wooed Texas' Rick Barnes or Memphis' John Calipari, considered the frontrunners by N.C. State fans, he hasn't done it in an official capacity. Texas senior associate athletics director for communications Nick Voinis said Monday night Barnes has not been contacted by N.C. State. Memphis spokesman Lamar Chance said Monday afternoon that to his knowledge, N.C. State hasn't asked permission to talk to Calipari. Barnes, who is from Hickory, said last month before an NCAA tournament game that he was happy at Texas and had no interest in coaching in the ACC. Calipari has been the subject of speculation for the Indiana and Oklahoma jobs. According to Chance, Calipari has said he will listen to overtures from other schools but isn't looking to leave as long as Memphis remains committed to having a top-10 program.

---

UAB is set to talk to former Indiana coach Mike Davis today. Florida associate head coach Anthony Grant is also rumored to be on UAB's list.

---

Monday night's national championship game between Florida & UCLA seemed a bit anti-climatic after the way numerous storylines played out during the month of March. Congrats to Florida on their win, although something tells me basketball is not in danger of replacing football in Gator country.

---

Former Green Bay tight end Mark Chmura called Brett Favre selfish & hypocritical on a Sunday radio, while discussing whether the quarterback might retire from the Packers.

"People who don't think that it's all about him are fooling themselves. With a quote like, 'What are they going to do, cut me?' It's all about him. ... He's a selfish guy. He's a very selfish guy."

Chmura also stated Favre did not call him or show any support when Chmura was accused of sexual assault in April of 2000, then aquitted at trial 10 months later.

---

The agent for Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair says his client's days are numbered with the team after McNair was refused entrance to workouts at Baptist Sports Park in Nashville. Of course this all stems from McNair's contract situation where he is expected to receive $9 million this season, plus have a drastic affect on the Titans' salary cap, unless a contract can be restructured.

We all know there is little or no loyalty from the Titans after the whole Eddie George affair. Then again, should there be? The NFL is a business. There is little loyalty among most players. If McNair really wanted to work things out, don't you think he would restructure his contract? Then again, it was the Titans who agreed to it so they should pay.

See, tough questions with no easy answers.

Meanwhile, the Titans are spending time in Los Angeles with USC standout QB Matt Leinart.

---

The Memphis Grizzlies aren't just working on postseason eligibility, but also on homecourt advantage in the first round.

---

Is Cincinnati point guard Devan Downey interested in following Andy Kennedy to Mississippi? Downey says he is looking at his options since interim coach Kennedy left the Bearcats last week for Oxford, while Mick Cronin comes to Cinci as the new head coach.

---

Six Mississippi State football players pleaded not guilty in court Monday to charges of assualting an off-duty police officer over the weekend at a Starkville bar. Five teammates, all freshmen, were arrested Sunday including defensive backs Keith Fitzhugh & Derek Pegues, offensive tackle Michael Gates & defensive linemen Charles Burns & Quinton Wesley. Freshman QB Tray Rutland was arrested Monday. Each is free on $25,000 bond.

---

Barry Bonds claims a fan tossed a syringe at him Monday in the Giants' opening day loss at San Diego, 6-1. The syringe did not contain a needle & Bonds says he picked it up & carried it off the field in his glove.

---

One sporting event on my list of attending sometime is The Masters. As golf's prestigious event approaches, it is reported scalped badges for yesterday's practice round were fetching $125... for a ticket originally priced at $35. A couple of weekend badges were on Ebay last week for $6500.

---

2006-04-03T09:01:00.000-05:00

I learn something new everyday. So far on this Monday it's up to two. Actually, it's one new thing & the second is probably something new, but I just forgot.

I did not know Terrell Owens middle name is Eldorado. That's a fact you can never forget. The one I am pretty sure I knew, but just forgot, was Owens' hometown is Alexander City, Ala.

All of this comes to mind after reading the Dallas Morning News & their continuing coverage of TO signing with the Cowboys.

---

The city of San Antonio is definitely on the list of most-wanted by the NFL & Major League Baseball. Florida Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria confirmed Sunday that talks with the city as the new home of his team are serious. Several city officials will be with Loria today when the Marlins open up their regular season against Houston.

---

NFL Pro Day:

Jim Wyatt, The Tennessean - Leinart: Questions about arm thrown out
The Titans were there mainly to see quarterback Matt Leinart, who at the end of the sun-drenched day gave himself a passing grade, but was less than satisfied. "I thought I could have done better, but I am happy with what I showed. I think I answered some questions about my arm strength and moving around and throwing and stuff," Leinart said. "It's been a long day, but I think I did well. This feels like a big burden has been lifted off my shoulders. I still have a few workouts now, and then the draft is the next step."

---

Several mock NFL drafts are floating around. The latest I read over the weekend had Deangelo Williams of Memphis going late in the first round to Carolina. Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports writes, Moving Thomas Davis to linebacker shored up that spot. Another safety would seem to be the pressing choice here, but Williams would be too tempting to pass up. A safety and tight end can be chosen in later rounds. There are no guarantees with DeShaun Foster's health, and the team doesn't seem to be sold on Eric Shelton. Circumstance – not talent – is going to push Williams down the draft board. To get him this late would be a steal.

---

Congrats to the Memphis baseball Tigers for winning 2-of-3 on the road against nationally ranked Southern Miss.

---

The Grizzlies snap a 3-game losing streak, beating Atlanta 98-87.

---

Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal says the NBA holds him to different standards compared to other big men & he points his finger directly at league senior VP Stu Jackson. "They need to be consistent in how they call the game, and it all starts at the top. When you got a guy like Stu Jackson running stuff, then it's obvious why the refs are the way they are," O'Neal said of Jackson, who has three times after the fact charged O'Neal with flagrants that weren't called. When asked if there was an agenda, he answered, "Looks like it to me. All they did was flop and the refs fell for it. They make the rules up and then they don't follow them. We all know it's a double-standard; I just wish they wouldn't make it so obvious."

---

Coaching rumors:

Rob Daniels & Jim Young, Greensboro News-Record - Wanted: Personable winner to lead Pack
Sources close to the athletics program said N.C. State, which paid Herb Sendek $800,000 per year, may make overtures to Calipari, Rick Barnes of Texas and West Virginia’s John Beilein.None of them is certain to be interested. Calipari’s program is clearly the best in the downscaled Conference USA, and he has four years remaining on a contract paying an annual average of $1.5 million. He was reportedly linked to the Indiana job before Kelvin Sampson’s hire.

Scott Fowler, Knight Ridder News Service - Wolfpack's next coach must be winner
Memphis coach John Calipari may be a target. Calipari is too slick for me, but he might play well in Raleigh given Chuck Amato's success with the red faithful. My dark horse candidate is Wichita State coach Mark Turgeon, who has done a very good job in a very tough place.

David Teel, Hampton Roads Daily Press - Sendek, N.C. State share blame for separation
The question for ACC fans is, who replaces Sendek? The Raleigh News & Observer mentioned Texas' Rick Barnes and Memphis' John Calipari, but each is much better-positioned to win in his current job.

(If you would like a good chuckle, read the second letter-to-the-editor at this link; the author would make a good talk radio clone spouting off things she has heard, but has no idea if they are true or not. You can say what you want about Coach Cal, but inspiring "zero loyalty," as the author claims proves most people open their mouths (or wirte) before taking the time to research the topic.)

---

Let's not forget their is a basketball championship game on the tube tonight. Florida faces UCLA to put an end to the 2006 edition of March Madness. It's still one of the greatest sporting events held each year, but I slowly lost interest as my bracket was shot after rounds 1 & 2, the Tigers lost in the Elite Eight, then George Mason's Cinderella run ended in the Final Four Saturday. Yeah, yeah, but I will still be watching tonight.

Ok, I'll be watching as long as it's interesting. If this game follows Saturday's pattern, I'll just flip to Fox & make sure Jack Bauer is still on the path of saving LA from terrorists.

2006-04-02T23:03:00.000-05:00

I am a weather nut. I always have been. When the storms rolled through our area tonight, my weather radio was on & my TV set to Dave Brown. Then in the aftermath, I watched intently as reporters scurried through eastern Arkansas & northwestern Tennessee to assess the damage.

It brings back so many memories of my ol' news days in Mississippi. Our group of stations took pride in being first when weather struck. While the competition was on its usual automated programming, we were live & on-the-air. Sometimes I was in-studio, others I was running with the storm spotters from the local EOC. I even had a radio with my on call-sign so they could keep up with me.

We spotted tornadoes, covered ice storms & reported live from scenes of damage from straight-line winds. It's what local radio is supposed to be about.

God bless those affected by the storms tonight. WMC-TV's Joe Birch just reported eight people were killed in Newbern, Tenn., in Dyer County.

2006-03-30T07:57:00.000-06:00

A news conference will be held today discussing Major League Baseball's plan to investigate alleged steroid use by Barry Bonds & others. It's being reported former US Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell will lead the charge.

---

When I was on SportsCall, one of the most worn out excuses in defense of Bonds was all the steroid talk is racism against Barry. USA Today tackles that very subject.

---

The NFL has outlawed props or going to the ground to celebrate touchdowns. What if a player is already on the ground when he scores? He must jump up to celebrate. What are props? The football, goalposts, pylons, even cheerleaders.

To me the issue of a TD celebration is a difficult one. What constitutes excessive celebration? I believe that is hard to define. I am kind of like Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart on his definition of obscenity: "I know it when I see it."

I have no problem with the Lambeau Leap; I don't care for cell phones hidden in the endzone. The 1984 "Fun Bunch" AKA the Washington Redskins offense lived up to their name, fun. Heck, even the "Ickey Shuffle" seems tame compared to Steve Smith's snow angels after a Carolina score.

I don't want the NFL to become the No Fun League, but the line has to be drawn somewhere. As the ol' football cliche says, "Act like you've been there before."

---

Other rules changes by the NFL this week:

• A turnover can overturn a down-by-contact call by the officials if challenged by replay.

• The time allotted for instant replays was reduced from 90 to 60 seconds in a further attempt to speed up the game.

• The horse-collar tackle has been expanded to include tackling by the neck of the jersey.

• On kicking downs, defensive players will not be allowed to line up head-up on the deep snapper anymore.

• The size of the roster at the first mandatory reduction after the third preseason game has been increased to 75 players.

---

Seattle coach Mike Holmgren calling it quits after 2006?

---

New Mississippi basketball coach Andy Kennedy is keeping assistants Tracy Dildy & Michael White on staff.

---

Spring football:

Former Rebels find football more to liking at Memphis

Walk-on QB Adams drawing notice in Oxford

MSU safety position peachy keen with Georgian Fitzhugh

---

Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer weighs in on the story earlier this week that new Kansas State coach Bob Huggins had lured away a Charlotte recruit.

---

2006-03-29T08:27:00.000-06:00

Appearantly the Oklahoma athletic department was as surprised as the rest of us when it was leaked yesterday that basketball coach Kelvin Sampson was leaving for Indiana. Some fans have met the news with glee, hoping AD Joe Castiglione will take this opportunity to find someone who is more offensive-minded than Sampson. Add to it an NCAA inquiry on improper phone calls to recruits, & it's needless to say their has been some grumbling.

But Sooners fans are probably most upset over underachieving. Expectations were high for the preseason top five team. In the end, OU struggled in February, lost in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 tournament, then in the first round of the NCAA tourney.

Look, Sampson has been successful at OU. He's 279-109 in 12 seasons; Sampson has three Big 12 tourney titles & shared the conference regular-season championship in 2005; in 1999 he guided the Sooners to their first Sweet 16 appearance in a decade; OU then made an appearance in the Final Four in 2002, then the Elite Eight in 2003.

Time will tell if this is the right hire for Indiana. On the surface I don't see much wrong with it. A coach has a chance to turned a historical program around & the school he's departing can bring new blood to the head coach's office.

I guess most troubling in this is the NCAA inquiry still hanging over OU's head, which revealed Sampson & his coaches made 550 improper phone calls to recruits over a four-year span. The university issued self-imposed penalties, but that has not totally satisfied the NCAA & they will hold a hearing on the matter April 21.

What further price will Oklahoma be required to pay after the guilty coach has moved on to greener pastures?

---

Outgoing UAB basketball coach Mike Anderson sat down with the Birmingham media Tuesday as he packed his office to make the move to Missouri.

Anderson insists money is not the issue on why he is heading to Mizzou. He says it has everything to do with the Tigers' conference affiliation in the Big 12 & the challenges it will present to him as a head coach.

While I don't doubt that, I am sure a contract worth $1.5 million after incentives didn't hurt when compared to the $600,000 he made with the Blazers.

It's ok to be greedy, Mike.

---

Meanwhile, it's no surprise UAB has made contact with Middle Tennesse coach Kermit Davis. He joins former UAB assistant & current Tennessee assistant coach Scott Edgar, former Indiana head coach Mike Davis, Birmingham-Southern head coach Duane Reboul & current UAB assistants Chris Giles & Matt Zimmerman, as names being tossed about for the job.

---

What has gotten into NASCAR pretty boy Jeff Gordon? I've always felt he was the clean driver that everyone painted him to be, but then again, who is? But off the track he was always a PR dream. Kurt Busch & Tony Stewart could have learned a thing or two. After Sunday, it seems Gordon is the one learning from Bush & Stewart.

Racing at Bristol can turn friend against friend. TV's postrace show is usually just as entertaining as the race as my wife & I make bets on how many of the seven no-no words will make it past the censors.

After some on-track contact between Gordon & Matt Kenseth in the final laps, Kenseth was coming over to talk to Jeff. Ah, but then ol' pretty boy bounces out of his car & shoves Matt before officials jump in & stop it from escalating.

I have to hand it to Gordon... he kept his helmet on. Pretty smart move, if you ask me... don't need anyone bruising up his face.

NASCAR gave Gordon a $10,000 fine Tuesday for the incident. It's the first time NASCAR has had to fine Gordon for such behavior... I wouldn't be surprised if there are some drivers who give this kinda dough to NASCAR every other week so they have a balance on hand when they decide to go after someone.

But even more surprising are some of Gordon's comments regarding the whole incident:

"I think that I kind of heard a lot last year that maybe I wasn't being aggressive enough on the race track and different things. My team has done an awful lot this year to make our race cars better, to put me in better positions ... and I'm giving them everything I possibly can out there on the race track because they deserve it. "If that means I've got to be more aggressive, then I'm going to be more aggressive. When you're more aggressive, sometimes it carries over off the race track, as well."

And then...

"Now that I've established myself, I'm older and I understand life a little more, really the way to enjoy life and enjoy racing more is to be me," he said. "I guess that's maybe the Jeff Gordon that has evolved over the years. In the past I've reserved a lot of my emotions. I'm not afraid to show them these days. I'm just being me."

Watch out NASCAR: Jeff Gordon is now talking in third person about himself.

---

Mississippi has designated April 29 "Dale Earnhardt Day" in the state. The Associated Press writes, The resolution was sponsored by a diverse group of 55 House members -- Democrats and Republicans, blacks and whites, men and women. It now goes to the Senate.

No word if cities or towns will hold any special festivities to honor the Intimidator. There is no truth to the rumor that all speeding will be ignored that date.

---

Spring football coverage:

Memphis wide receiver finally returning to form

USM's Manning makes most of second chance

---

Get well soon to Memphis assistant coach Tim Keane after undergoing triple bypass surgery Tuesday. This comes almost two months after head coach Tommy West had the same procedure. Keane is expected to be back on the sidelines coaching the Tigers secondary this fall.

---

If you are a Duke hater, you're going to love this video posted at MySpace.com.

---

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank has reopened talks with Time Warner about his interest in the Braves. Negotiations were stalled earlier this year after the two sides could not come to an agreement on the value of the team.

---

The NFL's spring meetings wrap up today. No surprise Tuesday as retiring commissioner Paul Tagliabue made it clear he wants to see the league return to Los Angeles.

---

Mike Lupica of the New York Daily News pulls no punches in column today regarding Barry Bonds, steroids & Major League Baseball: Barry Bonds is Bud Selig's Pete Rose. Selig has to go after Bonds, officially make him a suspect in the eyes of his sport, before another season begins, the way the late A.Bartlett Giamatti went after Rose, who denied and denied and denied his gambling the way Bonds has denied his use of steroids.

Click on the link & read the entire column. It is great & will make you think, no matter where you stand on Bonds.

---

Since the New York media believes the world revolves around New York sports, you can imagine they are having a field day right now with the news Yankees pitcher Randy Johnson has a love child & is suing the mother of his now 16-year old daughter for $100,000 over how his child support money was used.

It's a feeding frenzy right now with reporters wondering if Johnson can concentrate on the Yanks' season opener next week. Johnson calls the situation a "family matter" & says he's focused & ready to go to work.

---

2006-03-28T20:41:00.000-06:00

Less than a week on the job & already Bob Huggins is drawing fire from the national media. Gregg Doyel at CBS Sportsline writes today, Huggins' staff composition already has one package deal in the makings -- hire a coach, get a player -- with the mother of all package deals in the works for one year from now. As far as the NCAA is concerned, there's nothing illegal about the kind of package deal Huggins is blatantly pursuing by hiring Dalonte Hill away from Charlotte. Hill, a nondescript assistant for the 49ers, is joining Huggins' staff for one reason, and one reason only: Hill is tight with Michael Beasley, one of the top five players from the high school class of 2007.

Click here for the entire story.

---

2006-03-28T13:08:00.000-06:00

ESPN.com & several Indiana media outlets are reporting Oklahoma's Kelvin Sampson has agreed to become the next head coach of the Hoosiers. An announcement could come as early as Wednesday.

2006-03-28T08:12:00.000-06:00

"Why would I leave? We have a Top 10 program. Why would I choose to leave?" - John Calipari, appearing on his final radio show Monday night, answering all the rumors & speculation he might leave Memphis & go to Indiana.

From day one Cal said he will stay with the Tigers as long as the university is committed to a winning basketball program. I am sure after a 33-4 season & a run to the Elite Eight, that has not changed.

---

While it appears Cal will be staying in Memphis, UAB is in the hunt to replace Mike Anderson, after his announcement this weekend as Missouri's new coach. This is a crossroads for the Blazers, as their next hire could very well determine if they are a solid no. 2 basketball-wise in CUSA.

This should be a sign for Houston, UTEP & Tulsa that now is the time attack as the door is wide open in joining Memphis as consistent powers in the conference.

Back to UAB, if the Blazer faithful want to retain the Anderson style of play, then Scott Edgar is the way to go. He was with Anderson on Nolan Richardson's Arkansas staff, then spent three years as an Anderson assistant with the Blazers before joining Bruce Pearl at Tennessee in 2005.

Some have thrown around the name of former Indiana coach Mike Davis. Then there's current UAB assistant Chris Giles & Middle Tennessee's Kermit Davis, a former assistant with John Brady at LSU.

---

Since I just brought up Houston, the Cougars gave head coach Tom Penders a contract extension Monday.

---

The Bon Jovi hit "Living On A Prayer" has been informally adopted by Final Four Cinderella George Mason as their theme song.

---

Major League Baseball's most notorious rules-breaking suspect backs punishment of those caught using steroids. Pete Rose is banned from baseball for life for an investigation into his gambling problems. "In my case, I broke the rules and I've been suspended 18 years," said Rose. "So if guys broke the rules the last two years then they have to be handed out some kind of sentence."

---

The man who allegedly through a cup of beverage at Ron Artest, which resulted in one of the ugliest sports scenes of all times, has been found guilty of assault. He faces up to 93-days in jail, which is interesting since the players involved that went into the stands after innocent bystanders got off with a slap on the wrist.

I still get sick at my stomach whenever I see video of that event.

---

With the NFL's spring meeting underway in Florida, there is no hurry to replace commission Paul Tagliabue, who is retiring this summer. The commish said yesterday a committee of owners that would recommend a replacement might not even be named before the get-together ends Wednesday afternoon.

Meanwhile, with Peyton Manning's success, or lack of, in the postseason, I guess the NFL figures a Manning vs. Manning Super Bowl may bever happen. So they are giving us what they feel is the next best thing: Peyton & Indy will take on lil' bro Eli & the Giants in a prime-time season opener on Sept. 10.

---

2006-03-27T18:17:00.000-06:00

With all the Cal-to-Indiana rumors swirling, here's an afternoon update of what's being written:

Terry Hutchens, Indianapolis Star - Memphis AD: Calipari not talking with IU
A published report today claimed that the Memphis coach was in contract negotiations with Indiana and had emerged as IU's leading candidate to replace Mike Davis, who resigned last month after six seasons as the Indiana coach. Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson said today that wasn't the case. "I talked to (Calipari) this morning. That's not true," Johnson told The Commercial Appeal in Memphis today. Johnson said he had not been contacted by anyone from Indiana University or anybody from any executive search firm connected to Indiana.

Gary Parrish, Commercial Appeal - Johnson: Calipari-to-Indiana rumors untrue
University of Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson has taken issue with this morning’s report in The Bloomington (Ind.) Herald-Times that cited unnamed sources stating John Calipari is in negotiations to be the next basketball coach at Indiana.
"I talked to (Calipari) this morning," Johnson said. "That’s not true."

2006-03-27T08:12:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I experienced for the first time in awhile what I call a loss hangover. It feels similar to one you have after drinking too much, but tends to hurt a little bit more & linger a little too long.

Maybe it wouldn't have been so bad had the Tigers played better in their 50-45 loss to UCLA in the Elite Eight Saturday night... I just simply dont know. I have asked myself would losing 79-78 feel any better? Probably not.

My loss hangover lasted deep into the after. So long as a matter of fact, a friend had to call & tell me of the upsets taking place in the final two regional finals.

One thing is for sure: Memphis ain't the only one seed to fail to reach the tournament semifinals... none of them made it. It's why they call it March Madness.

---

Missouri officially announced Mike Anderson as head coach yesterday. On the same day, the powers-that-be with Mizzou took no action on athletic director Mike Alden, after his firing was rumored late Saturday after it was leaked Anderson was his man.

At least Anderson was man enough to tell the players personally that he was leaving, instead of them finding out via ESPN or the AD. Meanwhile, some players are reconsidering their future with the Blazers, which happens at every school every time a coach leaves or is fired.

Blazers fans are spoiled by Anderson's adaption of his former boss Nolan Richardson's 40-minutes of hell style they play. Depending on who is hired, they may have a harder time with the change than the players themselves.

---

While Memphis has been distracted by it's college team (and rightfully so), the Grizzlies have pieced together a seven-game win streak, their longest of the season.

---

When a drivers dies on the track just hours before the start of a race, should that race go on? Officials believe yes, & that's what happened yesterday after 30-year old Paul Dana was killed in a crash during a practice session for the IRL season opener at Homestead. Some five hours later the green flag dropped on the race, despite pleas from some drivers to postpone the event.

---

2006-03-26T10:37:00.000-06:00

Here it is the morning after the Tigers' loss in the Elite Eight & I guess I am still trying to convince myself the season is over. Wow, what a ride. Short of winning it all, what more could you have asked for? Even the casual fan got involved in following Memphis. It's a ride I won't soon forget.

In case you live in a cave, Memphis was tossed in the tourney last night by UCLA, 50-45. That was one of the ugliest games I have seen in awhile & that was by design by the Bruins. The officiating was bad, but the Tigers were worse. Wide-open jump shots didn't fall; easy layups weren't so easy.

I always get this way at the end of the season. Because of my job, Tiger football & basketball becomes such a big part of my life for seven months of every year, then it comes to an end. And quite frankly, the job situation contributed to my mood last night. It really hit me that in all likelihood I have spoken my last live word on WMC-AM. The good news is I haven't hosted my last Tiger pregame/postgame show. That's something I hope to do for a very long time.

---

What they are saying this morning about the Tigers:

Michael Murphey, Houston Chronicle - Bruins advance as Memphis loses touch with basket
UCLA won 50-45, sending the Bruins to the Final Four for the first time since 1995, when they captured their last national championship. Well, perhaps saying that UCLA "won" is being overly generous. The Bruins actually survived, playing only marginally better — or less poorly — than did the Tigers.

David Climer, The Tennessean - Memphis March halted by UCLA
After winning 27 games in the regular season, three more in the Conference USA Tournament and another three in the NCAAs, Memphis lost its offensive touch yesterday in a hard-to-explain 50-45 loss to UCLA. "I don't want to take anything away from them, but this is on us," said Tigers guard Darius Washington Jr. "We played a bad game and they took advantage of it.

Pete Thamel, The New York Times - UCLA Prevails in a Battle of Attrition
If aesthetics mattered, this U.C.L.A. team would have long been dispatched from the N.C.A.A. tournament. But it's the final score that counts. By slugging out a 50-45 victory over top-seeded Memphis to win the Oakland Regional on Saturday, the Bruins added to their program's storied history by clinching their 16th berth in the Final Four.

Roger Rubin, New York Daily News - Bruins bad, No.1 Memphis worse
The Bruins (31-6) missed 19 free throws overall and made only four baskets in the second half, but overcame these shortcomings with a defense that ground Memphis' vaunted transition game to a standstill. And when the Tigers appeared to have shaken 33 minutes of foul-prone, poor play to mount a charge, UCLA took the hit without coughing up the lead.

---

New Mississippi basketball coach Andy Kennedy is leaving the door wide open when it comes to potential candidates as assistants on his bench. It's rumored Kennedy is considering Cincinnati assistants Frank Martin. He claims to be considering current Rebels assistants Tracy Dildy & Michael White, although Dildy said he wasn't sure if it would be a "comfortable" situation.

---

So Mike Anderson is leaving UAB. Or is he? Yes, absolutely, but it's sounding more & more like he's getting involved in a at least a weird sitaution in Missouri.

News broke yesterday afternoon that Anderson was leaving the Blazers for possible greener pastures with Mizzou (greener meaning more money in this case). Several websites reported a 2 p.m. press conference today. Done deal, right?

Well, most likely, yes, although the AD who hired him may not be there to welcome him. Several reports this morning say an emergency meeting of the Board of Curators has been called to determine Mike Alden's future. KCTV-TV reports that Mizzou will honor Anderson's contract even if the guy who hired him yesterday is fired today.

Sounds to me like Anderson should stay in Birminham or send his resume to Indiana.

---

It's spring football time:

Bower on USM offense: 'We took a step back'

Green-Ellis barges into RB picture for Rebels

Hart states case for time in Bulldog backfield

2006-03-24T08:26:00.000-06:00

Last night was one of those where my mind was racing & I couldn't go to sleep. I tend to get that way after hosting a postgame show after a big game. Last night was definitely one of the biggest we've seen around here in years! So needless to say I am a little sleepy this morning. I need that adrenaline rush to kick back in.

Memphis beat round of 16 sweetheart Bradley last night, 80-64. The Tigers proved to be too much for the Braves down the stretch as depth & athleticism took over in a game that Memphis only led by five at the half.

Now it's on to the Elite 8 & a meeting with UCLA. The most-recent meeting with the Bruins was a Memphis victory last November. Any Tiger fan with a sense of history always thinks of Bill Walton & 1973 whenever those letters are uttered. Game time is 6:05 p.m., the pregame show rolls at 4:30 p.m.

---

What they are saying about the Tigers:

Lisa Olson, New York Daily News - Memphis on a magical roll with Calipari
John Calipari's mouth was moving faster than his players' legs, an achievement that seems impossible to anyone who doesn't know Calipari. At his core, Calipari is still a smooth Yankee, inherently incapable of fully adopting a genteel Southern demeanor. He couldn't slow down if he were swimming in a pool of molasses.

Michael Murphey, Houston Chronicle - Memphis a tower of power
The Tigers, who floated through much of the game as if they could hit the power switch whenever they pleased, did just that in the second half, blowing out Bradley 80-64 in the first game of a Sweet 16 doubleheader at Oakland Arena.

Tim Casey, Sacramento Bee - Tunnel vision works for Memphis
Neither Calipari nor any of his players stuck around for the second game of the Oakland Regional doubleheader. Nor did they plan on watching it at the hotel. This is a squad concerned only with itself.

David Climer, The Tennessean - Tigers feel elite
After NCAA Tournament victories over teams seeded Nos. 16, 9 and 13, respectively, Memphis can finally pick on somebody its own size in the Elite Eight tomorrow. "Bring it on," said Tigers point guard Darius Washington Jr. "People keep talking about where this team was seeded or that team was seeded. That doesn't bother us because everybody in the tournament is good. We're ready to play somebody seeded 1, 2 or 3. It doesn't matter to us."

Glenn Reeves, InsideBayArea.com - Memphis is a screaming success story
"When you're Italian you get emotional," Calipari said. "I talk with my hands. If I get emotional I can't get mad about them getting emotional. They know there's a line they can't cross. But you can be aggressive if they know you care about them and love them. If you watch it, they're having fun. A kid will say something, then he'll go right back in and he plays."

---

Steve Orsini has been a popular athletic director at Central Florida since stepping foot on the campus back in 2002. UCF enjoyed one of their best season's college football in 2005, a stadium project is on the fasttrack, & many believe the Orlando-based school will be the next desirable university by one of the BCS leagues because of their location & student population.

All that said, I am a bit surprised to read Orsini is leaving UCF to join conference mate SMU as their new AD. It seems he may have been unhappy with contract talks at UCF, which came after he was dismissed as a finalist for the AD position at Georgia Tech.

Orsini is no stranger to the city of Dallas as he worked for the Cowboys from 1984 to 93. For the sake of SMU & CUSA, here's hoping he can steer the Mustangs athletic department back to respectability.

---

Thursday gave us a wild spin on the coaching carasoul. When I learned yesterday afternoon that South Alabama coach John Pelphrey had removed his name from consideration for the Mississippi basketball job, that was a sure sign the Rebels had chosen to go elsewhere.

Cincinnati was still on the court with South Carolina in their NIT quarterfinal contest when word began to leak out interim head coach Andy Kennedy was heading to Oxford & Murray State's Mick Cronin, also considered for the Rebels' job, was returning to the Bearcats.

Keep in mind all of this happened on the same day as former Cinci coach Bob Huggins, fired from the university last summer, was hired at Kansas State.

2006-03-23T20:38:00.000-06:00

Quick evening update:

Memphis ends Bradley's Cinderella run, 80-64. The Tigers advance to the Elite 8.

Duke loses to LSU. I thought the so-called experts said Memphis would be the first no. 1 seed to exit?

Mike Decourcy reports Andy Kennedy will take the job at the University of Mississippi. There's also a strong rumor that Murray State's Mick Cronin will go to Cincinnati. It was obvious Kennedy was the Rebels' man when South Alabama's John Pelphrey withdrew his name this afternoon.

2006-03-23T07:38:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Bill King of Rival Radio on Sirius for having me as a guest this morning. We chatted about tonight's Memphis/Bradley game. In case you missed it, they will have audio on their website later today.

---

Well, it's gameday for the Tigers as the NCAA tournament moves into its round of 16. After the team's performance against Bucknell Sunday, I predicted many of last week's naysayers would realize they were underestimating the Tigers. While some may have changed their opinions, for the most part Bradley has become the national media darling this week.

The most common argument I am hearing is, "Memphis hasn't beaten a team from a power conference yet."

True.

But isn't that the fault of those schools from those conferences? Arkansas LOST to Bucknell... Pitt LOST to Bradley. Some are acting like this was a preseason schedule of buy games put together by the coaches. C'mon, you know better.

Here's some other interesting tidbits:

Memphis covered the spread in both games so far in the tourney as the team topped no. 16 Oral Roberts 94-78 as 10.5-point favorite, then beat no. 9 Bucknell 72-56 as a 7.5-point favorite.

Villanova failed to cover in their first two games, beating no. 16 Monmouth by a score of just 58-45, although 'Nova was a 20-point fave. Then they barely got by Arizona 82-78, not covering the 7-point spread.

UConn was unable to cover the number in rounds one and two. In fact, in their first game against no. 16 Albany, the Huskies were down by 12 points with 11 minutes remaining before coming back to win 72-59 as a 20-point favorite. They then squeaked out an 87-83 victory over no. 8 Kentucky as a 9-point favorite.

Duke has done okay as a no. 1 seed. The Blue Devils had little trouble beating no. 16 Southern 70-54, although they did not cover the 25.5-point spread. Coach K followed that up with a 74-61 win over no. 8 George Washington, while being favored by 8.5-point, so they covered there.

What does all of this mean? Absolutely nothing, it's March after all. Anything can happen. Just sit back & enjoy the ride.

---

Here's what is being written today about the Tigers & the Oakland bracket:

Michael Murphey, Houston Chronicle - It's now a mid, mid, mid world
Memphis (32-3), which faces off against Bradley (22-10) in tonight's opening game, is full of NBA prospects such as 6-7 senior Rodney Carney, 6-9 freshman Shawne Williams, 6-3 sophomore Darius Washington and 6-9 Joey Dorsey. But Memphis coach John Calipari said that a ton of young talent — the kind that keeps NBA scouts busy —has paradoxically helped the mid-majors play with the bigger programs.

"When you're not able to recruit McDonald's All-Americas, those (lesser-known) kids usually stay four years," Calipari said. "A lot of the rest of us are losing players after one year, and some of them are not showing (like 6-10 center Amare Stoudemire, who instead went into the 2002 NBA draft). It's really brought parity to college basketball. Now, if you get a couple of seniors — maybe they sprout up or maybe they just turn into something unique and special — then you're there. The bottom line in all this is about having players. If you have better players than the other guy, normally you're going to win. If you don't, he's going to win. It's added balance to college basketball."

David Climer, The Tennessean - Memphis is wary of Bradley
Memphis's players are a little vague on Bradley's personnel and tendencies. This is by design. Prior to yesterday's practice session, the Tigers had not viewed any videotape of the Braves, per Calipari's plan. "I don't want 'em to worry about Bradley," Calipari said. "I'm vomiting about Bradley."

Geoff Calkins, The Commercial Appeal - Tigers have no time for sentimentality on their journey toward Final Four
Even though they're a No. 1 seed, they've somehow persuaded themselves they're underdogs. Like when the whole Cinderella issue was brought up to Memphis coach John Calipari Wednesday. "I think our foot may fit into that shoe," he said. "They're the Cinderella?" he said, in disbelief. "I thought we were the Cinderella."

Jennifer Starks, Contra Costa Times - Calipari finds success back in college
The Tigers are back in the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 1995. They've got the No. 1 seed in the Oakland Regional heading into today's game against No. 13 Bradley and are finally achieving the success that's been brewing since Calipari's arrival in 2000. That success, which includes five straight postseason appearances, has the rumor mill running at high speed, as Calipari's name has been linked to openings at Indiana and Missouri.

Steve Wieberg, USA TODAY - No more blues for Memphis
"They are a group," coach John Calipari says, "that could be talked about for the next 50 years in Memphis and even nationally."

Mark Montieth, Indianapolis Star - Calipari comfortable in college
"Oh, wow," Calipari said when asked about his NBA experience Wednesday. "I enjoyed my time in the NBA. But there were feelings that I had there that I don't ever want to feel again. There were other feelings there that were pretty unique and a lot of fun. "I enjoy what I'm doing. I enjoy these young people. Seeing them grow, having an impact on their lives. You don't do that in the NBA."

Kathleen Nelson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Deep Memphis has been able to bench-press foes
Of the quartet of No. 1 seeds, Memphis seemed the mystery choice. Some experts wanted to write off the Tigers' success to being a great big fish in an ever-shrinking conference pond. Perhaps the Tigers' detractors have something in common with their opponents: Neither group knows where to look for the secret to the Tigers' success.

Kyle Veltrop, The Sporting News - Setting up the Oakland Region semifinals
If Memphis beats Bradley on Thursday and then were to meet and beat Gonzaga on Saturday, the Tigers' pre-Final Four foes in the tournament will have hailed from these conferences: Mid-Continent, Patriot, Missouri Valley, West Coast. That would only make Memphis' path unconventional, not unimpressive.

Shaun Powell, Newsday - NCAA's run afoul on Bradley Braves
Remember, the NCAA last summer decided to crack down on schools that use Native American nicknames or imagery, banning them from hosting NCAA championship events or displaying those nicknames in those events. Some schools later received a pass, but Bradley, which plays top-seeded Memphis tonight in the Oakland Regional semifinals, remains on the unapproved list. The Braves are using their nickname in this tourney only because their case is under appeal. Truthfully, as far as the NCAA is concerned, Bradley has no nickname.

Mark Sclabach, Washington Post - Tigers' Young Turks Run Together
The freshmen have played well together this season. The Tigers, the No. 1 seed in the Oakland Region, blew past No. 16 seed Oral Roberts and No. 9 seed Bucknell in their first two NCAA tournament games last weekend at American Airlines Center in Dallas. Memphis, which will play No. 13 seed Bradley at Oakland Arena on Thursday night, has a school-record 32 victories and won both the Conference USA regular season and tournament titles.

---

According to ESPN.com, former Cincinnati coach Bob Huggins has accepted the Kansas State job. A press conference could happen today or tomorrow.

---

South Alabama head coach John Pelphrey met with officials from the University of Mississippi yesterday. So far, there have been no comments from either side. Those same officials left Mobile & headed to Wichita where they were expected to catch up with Murray State coach Mick Cronin who is attending the Junior College National Tournament.

Pelphrey led South Alabama to its best record in 25 years (24-7) and took the Jaguars to the Sun Belt Conference tournament title, which earned the program's first NCAA tournament berth since 1998. USA was eliminated by Florida in the first round last week.

They are also expected to interview two more candidates, including Cincinnati interim coach Andy Kennedy and current Rebels assistant coach Tracy Dildy.

---

Former Indianapolis kicker Mike Vanderjagt is talking to the Dallas Cowboys about being their kicker. Wow, what luck for the Dallas media. If Vanderjagt joins Terrell Owens, they'll have not one, but two great quote machines to talk to each week.

Let's flashback to 2003 when Vanderjagt decided to diss Manning to some Canadien TV outlet, calling him too placid and timid to succeed in the NFL:

"I'm not a real big Colts fan right now, unfortunately. I just don't see us getting better," Vanderjagt said during the interview. "Coach Dungy, he's just a mild-mannered guy. He doesn't get too excited, he doesn't get too down and I don't think that works, either. ... I think you need a motivator, I think you need a guy that is going to get in somebody's face when they're not performing well enough."

Colts' QB Peyton Manning had the most unforgettable quote. He was asked on live TV prior to the Pro Bowl his thoughts, to which Manning replied, "The sad thing is, he's a good kicker. He's a good kicker. But he's an idiot."

---

Free agent Keyshawn Johnson will meet with Carolina today as the Panthers try to find that piece of the puzzle the team lacked when the lost to Seattle earlier this year in the NFC championship.

---

With another baseball season set to begin in just weeks, so we see the reemergence of steroid scandals which continue to plague the sport.

A new book which details alleged steroid abuse by Giants slugger Barry Bonds also names Yankee outfielder Gary Sheffield as someone who received testosterone and human growth hormone from Greg Anderson, Bonds's trainer. Another Yankee, Jason Giambi is also named & even shares the cover of the book. However, Giambi has admitted publicly he took steroids.

---

Former Met and Yankees star Dwight Gooden admitted in court yesterday that he violated his probation by using cocaine and likely faces prison time. He will be sentenced next month.

---

2006-03-22T22:22:00.000-06:00

This town is crazy for the Tigers! Check out these pic of the First Tennessee Bank building in downtown Memphis! (Thanks to Greg Nelson for sharing these.)

2006-03-22T14:47:00.000-06:00

If you are a Sirius subscriber, give a listen tomorrow morning to Bill King on Rivals Radio. I am scheduled to talk Tigers vs. Bradley at 7:15 a.m.

Go Tigers!

2006-03-21T08:56:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Wayne & Lee on WNSP-FM in Mobile for having me on their show this morning. They wanted to talk about Memphis & the NCAA tourney & I was glad to join in.

---

What's being written about the Tigers:

Jake Curtis, San Francisco Chronicle - Calipari finally delivers in Memphis
Memphis players have heard about Camby countless times from Calipari, who mentions Camby every chance he gets, calling him one of the 10 best players in college basketball history. Now Calipari is riding Rodney Carney, the Conference USA Player of the Year who was a virtual nobody coming out of high school, and Washington, who became a hero through failure last season, and Memphis native Andre Allen, a walk-on who is an unexpected postseason star.

Dave Reynolds, Peoria Journal Star - Now, the real whirlwind begins for BU
The Tigers, fresh from a second-round Sunday victory in Dallas over Bucknell, generally are considered one of the nation's most athletic teams and, at 81 points per game, are among Division I's top-scoring outfits. But Memphis coach John Calipari was quick to talk up the Braves. "People talk about our athleticism," he said. "But when I watched Bradley play, I saw another level. Their speed and quickness are unbelievable. They really guard you. And their big kid (Patrick O'Bryant) is so good. He and the kid from Texas (LaMarcus Aldridge) are the two best big kids I've seen this year. We're playing an outstanding basketball team."

Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star - Top seedsÂ road gets smoother
Memphis coach John Calipari isn't buying the upset talk. "Those guys on TV and radio have to come up with some opinions and some upsets," Calipari said. "We've been a team that was supposed to lose to No. 16 seed, supposed to lose to Bucknell and we have no chance against Bradley. We can deal with that."

---

Bradley became the fourth No. 13 seed to make it to the NCAA regional semifinals. A look at the other three, who made it no further:

OKLAHOMA 1999
Def. No. 4 Arizona 61-60
Def. No. 5 Charlotte 85-72
Lost to No. 1 Michigan State 54-46

VALPARAISO 1998
Def. No. 4 Mississippi 70-69
Def. No. 12 Florida State 83-77 (OT)
Lost to No. 8 Rhode Island 74-68

RICHMOND 1988
Def. No. 4 Indiana 72-69
Def. No. 5 Georgia Tech 59-55
Lost to No. 1 Temple 69-47

---

Billy Tubbs is calling it a career, as the coach announced his retirement at Lamar Monday. That should put former Memphis assistant basketball coach Steve Roccaforte in the head coach's office, as Roccaforte left the Tigers in 2003 to become Tubbs' lead assistant & his likely successor.

---

As first reported on this blog Monday, the University of Mississippi's scheduled interview with South Alabama coach John Pelphrey has been moved to Wednesday. The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Miss., reports today that Mississippi AD Pete Boone has also received permission to talk to Murray State's Mick Cronin & Cincinatti interim coach Andy Kennedy. Boone also added Rebel assistant coach Tracy Dildy to the mix of candidates.

---

While on the topic of coaching searches, Lionel Hollins, assistant coach on the Memphis Grizzlies staff is being mentioned for the Arizona State job, now open after the dismissal of former Mississippi head coach Rob Evans.

Another rumored name is Mark Turgeon of Wichita State, however his team is a surprise member of the Sweet 16, so he's not free to talk. You can remove Jamie Dixon of Pittsburgh from the list as he has been given a contract extension.

---

Speaking of rumors, it had been whispered for weeks that NFL commish Paul Tagliabue was to soon announce his retirement. He made it official yesterday, stating he will leave office in July.

---

Finally, since retirement news seems to be the theme of the day, Keith Jackson of ABC Sports may call it quits today.

---

Gonzaga's Adam Morrison missed Monday's practice, as the team prepares for its Sweet 16 showdown against UCLA. The team said Morrison was suffering from flu-like symptoms, but it still expected to play Thursday night against the Bruins.

2006-03-20T15:01:00.000-06:00

Update on Mississippi interview of South Alabama basketball coach John Pelphrey... the interview which was set for today by the Rebels has been moved to Wednesday. A source tells me the university is leaning strongly in his direction.

2006-03-20T09:38:00.000-06:00

For the first time since 1995, the University of Memphis is in the sweet 16. What a long road back to glory it has been for this basketball program. None of us would have ever believed that year it would take 11 to make it back.

We took 41 phone calls on the postgame show yesterday, not quite a record, but close. It's really satisfying to see the city come alive in support for the Tigers. Business have "Go Tigers" on billboards & painted in store windows. Every other car you see has a Tiger windsock or the magnets on the door.

Tipoff against Bradley is Thursday at 6:27 p.m., with the pregame show starting at 5 p.m.

---

What are folks around the country saying about the Tigers? Take a look:

Calvin Watkins, The Dallas Morning News - Defense proves Memphis belongs

Joseph Duarte, The Houston Chronicle - Memphis displays top-seed attitude

Joe Biddle, The Tennessean - Top seed Memphis sprints to Sweet 16

Gary Parrish, The Commercial Appeal - Tigers' quickness, athleticismmay have made believers of Bucknell

Thayer Evans, The New York Times - Memphis Continues to Silence Doubters With 2nd Easy Victory

Pat Forde, ESPN.com - Memphis' biggest problem? Two great guards (Is this really a problem? Seems like Forde is fishing to find a problem where one does not exist.)

Roger Rubin, New York Daily News - Andre the giant

Mark Schlabach, The Washington Post - Tigers Wear Down Bison to Advance

---

So far in the NCAA tournament 10 teams have beaten competitors seeded at least five spots higher, tying a record set in 1986 then matched in 1990 & again in 2002.

---

Fans of the Dallas Cowboys are not sure how to feel over the signing of troubled WR Terrell Owens. Sure, the guy brings a lot of baggage, but if he helps them win & keeps his mouth shut they can quickly forgive. Honestly, I believe it will be almost impossible for him to shutup & win. Quite frankly we should set the over-under for how many weeks into the season it takes for him to start whining.

How will coach Bill Parcells handle it? Will Jerry Jones let him handle it? We wil surely know the answers to these questions this fall at a stadium near you & then re-played on ESPN until we are sick of it.

---

Is Mississippi looking to Mobile for their next basketball coach? Today's Mobile Register reports South Alabama head basketball coach John Pelphrey will be interviewed today by the Rebels.

He's a former Kentucky player who began his coaching career as an assistant with Eddie Sutton at Oklahoma State from 1993-94 before joining Billy Donovan's staff at Marshall in 1995-96, then moving with Donovan when he took over the Florida program through 2002, before accepting his first head coaching job at South Alabama.

Pelphrey joins Cincinnati interim head coach Andy Kennedy & Murray State head coach Mick Cronin on the rumored short-list of candidates.

2006-03-16T10:33:00.000-06:00

I don't have a lot of time to spend with the blog this morning because I am in-studio this morning working on Focus On Racing Radio. However, I cannot let the morning go by without stating the obvious: the next four days are going to be FUN!

Look, March Madness is already a great event, especially the first & second rounds. But you can feel the excitement locally with Memphis involved as a no. 1 seed. Yesterday on Germantown Rd. I counted the cars with Tiger flags, windsocks & magnets. Folks everywhere had on Tiger gear, including windsuits, t-shirts & golf shirts.

I hope your favorite team is in the tourney. I also hope you have completed your brackets. Go Tigers Go!

2006-03-15T14:44:00.000-06:00

Sources tell me ESPN is close to finalizing their fall football schedule. As it stands right now, look for the Memphis Tigers to get only one game on the network's schedule: 9/30 vs. Tennessee.

2006-03-15T09:23:00.000-06:00

The countdown to March Madness continues...

Peter Tiernan on EPSN Insider predicts Memphis, Duke, UConn & Florida to the Final Four, breaking it down round-by-round.

The sports editor of a student-run newspaper at Virginia Tech likes the Tigers winning the Oakland regional.

Great feature on Tiger freshman Antonio Anderson by his hometown newspaper.

---

NCAA tournament fun facts:

- at least one team seeded 12th has won its opening game in the last five tournaments
- a no. 13 has won in four of the last five
- the ACC, Big Ten and Big 12 own the most tournament victories in this decade
- not since the tournament went to a seeding process in 1979 have all four top seeds advanced to the final weekend
- only four of the 12 No. 1 seeds in the last three years got there
- no 16th seed has won a tournament game
- only four No. 15 seeds have defeated second seeds
- in all even years since 1989 a no. 1 seed has lost in the 2nd round

---

Sould CUSA copy the formula the Missouri Valley Conference used to get four teams into the NCAA tourney? The teams did a good job this season massaging their RPIs. CUSA bubble teams like Houston & UTEP should pay attention to this.

---

Mark Fox of Nevada, Mark Turgeon of Wichita State, Chris Lowery of Southern Illinois & Mike Anderson UAB: which of these coaches will use postseason success to move on to another job next season? Is there a Bruce Pearl in this group? Give any of these guys a win or two in the Big Dance & you can bet some of the big boys will come calling.

---

Dallas celebrates the 20th anniversary of it hosting a Final Four that changed the way we view the semis & championship. The article says the host site was the first to use a different floor for the event, something that is common now.

---

Former Nebraska football coach & now Republican U.S. congressman Tom Osborne is introducing a bill today which would ban beer ads during NCAA sanctioned events.

"We recognize that an end to alcohol advertising during televised college games will not, by itself, resolve the 'culture of alcohol' that exists for too many college students," Osborne wrote in a letter to the NCAA executive committee. "However, such a policy would declare and affirm college's genuine and consistent commitment to a policy of discouraging alcohol use among underage students. ... We strongly encourage the committee to act on the side of the health and safety of college students, athletes and young fans by ending all alcohol advertising during NCAA broadcasts."

C'mon, do we really believe that banning alcohol ads is going to cut down on drinking on campus? I do not deny it's a problem & I sure don't promote or encourage the binge drinking which takes place. There has to be a better way.

What's next? Coke ads? After all, sugar makes kids fat... as a matter of fact I read the other day obesity in children is at an all-time high & that leads to diabetes & other problems. You could ad sugary cereal ads to this category as well.

Or how about McDonalds? Their food can make you fat, give you a heart attack & die.

See where I am going here? Where will it stop? Sorry for the rant, but it's times like this the libertarian in me rears its ugly head & starts spouting off.

---

I am not totally distracted by the upcoming basketball tournament. The Tiger football team started spring practice yesterday & coach Tommy West was not pleased.

"There was a lack of discipline, a lack of attention and a lack of attention to detail," West told the Commercial Appeal shortly after the two-hour workout. "It was terrible. Now, there are people that are trying very hard, but trying hard will get you beat if you're not doing things the right way. I was very disappointed in the way we did the little things. But it was the first day."

As a side note I am very disappointed I missed the media luncheon Monday which marked coach West's return following bypass surgery last month. This guy is a fighter. It's no wonder he's been able to steer his team's three consecutive winning seasons. He's first class. Welcome back, coach.

---

Terrell Owens in a Cowboys jersey next fall? One sportswriter hopes not, writing: Owens will be Parcells' poodle. If Big Bill says no on this kind of player, then it won't happen. And if Parcells says yes, that tells us just how desperate he really is. There's no need to rehash the ramifications of having Owens on your team. Yes, he's the best receiver in the league. Yes, he's the worst team-guy in the league. But while trading out Owens for Keyshawn is a football upgrade at one position, it's not worth all the soap opera it brings. The Cowboys don't need Terrell Owens.

---

Former baseball star Dwight Gooden was ordered held without bond this morning for violating his probation. This comes after admitting to his probation officer yesterday that he had been using cocaine.

---

2006-03-14T17:05:00.000-06:00

Everybody's got an opinion this week on the NCAA tournament, specifically one on if the Memphis Tigers deserved their #1 seed or whether they will suffer an early departure from the Big Dance.

There was once a time not that long ago that I would have dwelled on those who aren't giving the Tigers enough credit. Yes, some so-called expert really predicts Oral Roberts to be the first-ever no. 16 seed to beat a no. 1.

It could happen, but it won't. Without pounding out all the facts on my keyboard I will simply share this: I am not going to let a critic's closed mindedness, prejudice against the south, or just overall lack of knowledge ruin my week of celebrating this basketball team.

For those that show Memphis love, thank them. For those that don't, just forget'em. It's not worth worrying over. Yes, I do find it funny some of the criticism I have heard this week from various talking heads & the haters who sit by their phones waiting to bash the Tigers.

Enjoy this season & don't stress over something or in this case over someone you have no control over.

2006-03-12T19:10:00.000-06:00

It's official: Memphis is a one seed in the NCAA tournament. After I have a little more time to digest this I'll share my complete thoughts. However, my initial reactions tell me...

1) ORU will be a tough 16 seed. No, this will not be the first time a 16 beats a 1, but this will be a good game.

2) If the Tigers meet Arkansas in the second round, it will be like a home game for the Razorbacks in Dallas. I hope the Tiger fans can find the tickets & be there!

3) It's funny how Memphis has already beaten several of the teams in our region; some would say that is a good thing, others no.

Regardless of what happens, I saw a little of Tiger history made today. Had I stated on-air last March that Memphis would be a one seed just 12 months later, someone would have had me committed. Just like many other chapters of Tiger basketball history, today is a day we as fans will talk about for many years to come. Now, let's take care of business & win some games in the tourney!