Episode 6 of the Friends in Low Podcast is now live and cookin' and it's The Baby Files featuring new daddy Stanko http://tinyurl.com/nxffk22 months ago
Recorded another Friends in Low Podcast tonight and the 2nd edition of the TNB Report will be up this week. You know you love it. 2 months ago
Recording the first two episodes of the TNB Report TONIGHT after Hard Knocks; topics include a Bengals preview, Fantasy Football, and Favre. 2 months ago
(This is a joint article between “Doc” Hancock and Matt)
“Doc’s” Take On The Kentucky Wildcats:
The last time high expectations were set upon the University of Kentucky in football, Harry Truman was President and Bear Bryant (yes, that Bear Bryant) was coach in the early 1950’s when the Wildcats went to three straight New Years’ Day bowls from 1950 to 1952.
And the last time, before last year’s Music City Bowl win over Clemson, that the school won a bowl game, a group of unsupervised kids that would later become operators of a blog that is quickly being regarded as one of the best in the South, was still giving their parents fits as newborn babies.
This year, as Rich Brooks begins his fourth season in Lexington as the recipent of a brand-new contract extension that will more than likely keep him in there for another two years, the Wildcats are out to prove a point to everyone in the conference that Kentucky is no longer a pushover in the SEC.
Quarterback Andre Woodson returns to Lexington for his senior season after posting one of the best passing stats in a season in school history, throwing for 3,515 yards and 31 touchdowns for a 63 percent passing rate and only seven interceptions. Not only that, Woodson has a record 162 passes without an interception, which he’ll probably continue when the Wildcats face the Eastern Kentucky Colonels on Saturday.
At receiver, the cupboard is filled with talented wideouts such as Keenan Burton, Dicky Lyons, and tight end Jacob Tamme. In 2006, the trio of wideouts caught a combined 159 balls for a total of 2,244 yards and 23 touchdowns while Burton and Tamme earned All-SEC honors for the Wildcats.
At running back the Wildcats return senior Rafael Little who after rushing for over 1,000 yards in 2005, had 140 rushes and 673 yards plus 3 touchdowns in an injury-filled 2006 season. The interesting thing about it was the fact that he averaged 5 yards per carry with 31 catches out of the backfield in 2006.
Joining him in the backfield will be second-stringer Tony Dixon, who was second on the team with 303 yards on the ground and third-stringer Alfonso Smith, who added an additional 250 yards of rushing for the Wildcats.
On defense, the Wildcats look to improve on what was without question, a disastrous year on the field as they allowed 453 yards per contest, one of the worst in the nation. Three starters were lost from last year’s unit and returning to Lexington will be senior tackle Myron Pryor, who was the team’s top defensive lineman with 42 tackles and a team-leading 5 sacks. Along with Pryor, end Jeremy Jarmon will be inserted into a starting role after beginning his 2006 season on the bench and not getting any playing time until the middle of the season. Despite this, he recorded 30 tackles and four sacks.
In the secondary, Marcus McClinton, Trevard Lindley, and Roger Williams are back in Lexington to add on to their modest success in 2006. McClinton recorded 65 tackles and four interceptions while Lindley ranked fourth in the conference with 12 pass breakups and earned Kentucky’s highlight of the year with an amazing interception against Clemson in the Music City Bowl plus a game-saving interception against the Georgia Bulldogs that gave Kentucky the 24-20 victory.
“Doc’s” Diagnosis: For a school that’s had little to celebrate in their football history, much like a certain university here in the city of Memphis, last season’s success caught everyone by surprise in Lexington. With LSU, Florida, Tennessee, and archrival Louisville visiting Commonwealth Stadium, expect the Wildcats to beat one of those four at home. The Wildcats also have road trips to South Carolina, Arkansas, LSU, as well as one to Georgia where the Bulldogs will have revenge on their minds after last year’s loss. With that being said, Kentucky will again surprise people in the conference and could nab a berth in the Liberty Bowl if all goes well.
When growing up on the North side of Chicago three things are certain: death, taxes, and the Cubs will lose. Not only will they lose (we haven’t won the World Series since 1908… hell, we haven’t even seen the World Series since 1945), but they will find ways to TANK come the end of the season.
Take 1969 for instance. On September 2nd of that year they defeated the Reds to have a league leading record of 84-52-1. At that very moment the decided to try losing instead of winning and posted an eight game losing streak. This went to 1-11, then to 6-15, and ended the season with a record of 92-70-1. This might not sound terrible to you non-baseball fans (actually it probably sounds terrible to everyone) but here is something to put things into perspective. On September 2nd of 1969, the New York Mets had a record of 77-55. This put us around 7 games ahead of the Mets (give or take a few because my math skills are terrible). At the end of the season (which was 1 month later, as in exactly 30 days from that point) the Mets finished with a record of 100-62. THE CUBS GAVE UP 15 GAMES IN 1 MONTH. To further put things in to perspective, if that happened in the National League Central this year, the Astros or Pirates could over take the Cubs and win the division by about five games.
This year you might see very little difference because right now the Cubs have the best team in the National League Central, but lack certain skills to close the division. The Cubs lack charisma and hustle. Today’s game is a prime example of both things not being present. It is the small things that win ball games like running around the bases, hustling to make plays, and putting forth your best effort which will win these games down the stretch. The worst of these players is Alfonso Soriano. Soriano has gotten by only on his skill and not on his hustle or will to win.
Last night against the Brewers was a prime example. The Cubs scored their only run on a Ramirez sacrifice fly which scored Carlos Zambrano. Soriano decided to walk to third and stroll in while getting tagged out on a great throw from right field. He didn’t hustle, he didn’t slide, he slowly strolled into third after the tag was applied. Luckily for the Cubs the umpire made a bad call and Soriano was safe. This is simply the latest in a series of being picked off, missed outfield fly balls, and complete lack of heart and hustle from our “star” left fielder. Don’t get me wrong now, he is a talented ball player…probably one of the best in the league… but his lack of effort is hurting the ball club and could lead to them falling in the final stretch here.
I should now go on record by stating that I still think the Cubs are going to win the division. It should be noted though that if the Cubs can find a way to lose alot of games in the stretch they probably will
I have done something completely different for a forum you wouldn’t expect to see me at as I have written an exclusive article for another team’s forums:
I realize it is a South Carolina-based forum and I am a University of Kentucky man for life, but I cannot state how great of a sports forum this is. A lot of very knowledgeable members who discuss all sports and are just as much “SEC people” as they are “South Carolina people.” I have found that they don’t talk a lot of trash, post anything just to “stir the pot,” or do anything create what the Internet has dubbed “flame wars,” which is basically useless and offensive banter.
There are a lot of cool features to the forum with a ‘Shoutbox’ that appears regardless of what section you are in, to medals and awards, to even a ‘Reputation’ system that keeps people honest and legitimate.
There will be more cool and unique things planned between TNB and GSF soon, and down the road, to help create a broader, more entertaining and educational sports network.
I HIGHLY recommend joining this forum, especially if you enjoy SEC sports because they cover WAY MORE than just South Carolina and truly root for the SEC (Their biggest rival is out-of-conference Clemson, so why not?). There are a lot of fun games and contests going on in various forums and professional sports are also vastly talked about.
I will post it on the website eventually, but I really encourage all to join Gamecocks Sports Forums, not just to read the article but to get involved. They welcome all with open arms and it really is a lot of fun. We hope to continue to work with them in the future!
-Matt
And no, I am not getting paid for this, these are my words and not theirs… :)
As if Vick didn’t have it bad enough after pleading guilty on Monday and apologizing in front of an entire nation, the majority of whom probably now hate him, Ron Artest has come out in support of Vick, saying he would like to “reach out” to the fallen quarterback (link – ESPN.com).
I think the last thing Vick wants to hear now is that he’s now being publicly backed by this guy:
Artest doesn’t particularly bring a lot of credibility to a legal case and I am not sure of many who would want Artest on their fighting side. Well literally speaking they would, obviously, but figuratively speaking, not a chance.
This is post Monday Night Football despite the ‘Week Of’ dating and now we know what has transpired during the day on Tuesday. Here are your injury updates:
Returning To Practice This Week:
RT Willie Anderson (foot as of 08/16/07 – expects to play some on 08/31/07)
DE Robert Geathers (ribcage as of 08/19/07 – should play against the Indianapolis Colts on 08/31/07)
RB Chris Perry (ankle – six weeks of regular season – Physically Unable to Perform List [PUP] – could return this week making him ineligible for PUP List)
WKYT in Lexington is reporting that wide receiver turned defensive back for the Kentucky Wildcats has gone down after his appendix ruptured late Tuesday night, August 28th. We will see how the defensive back situation deals with the loss of Jones as they’re speculating a two-to-three week layoff, but if the appendix actually burst as they say it did, I feel it could be longer. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him sit out at least a full month from yesterday.
Another unfortunate loss for a Wildcat squad that, I feel, always seems to have bad luck…
Quick. Raise your hand if you believed that the Florida Gators were going to be crowned national champions in Urban Meyer’s second season.
Can’t do it? That’s because the few people that picked them to win the 2006 National Championship, let alone a win over a strong Ohio State team, was the same people that picked Michelle Southerland to be a success as the new football coach at Alabama, which as I mentioned in my preview of the Crimson Tide two weeks ago, turned out to be a complete bust and gave Alabama the greenlight to hire Nick Saban.
With only 8 starters returning to Gainesville for the 2007 season, the Florida Gators, for the most, part will be a young team being forced to defend the school’s second national championship in footbal, something that a college football realist deem as impossible.
With Chris Leak gone, the offense rests on the shoulders of sophomore quarterback Tim Tebow, who saw action in all 14 games, completing 22 of 33 attempts for 356 yards and 5 touchdowns, good enough for a 66.7 completion percentage. Not only that, Tebow proved himself to be a capable rusher as he finished second on the team with 469 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns in 2006.
Much like 2006, the Gators have a trio of playmaking receivers, starting with senior receiver Andre Caldwell, who will be in the outside receiving slot when the Gators open their season on September 1st against Western Kentucky and has 129 catches in his Florida career. Along with Caldwell, sophomore Percy Harvin, who was third on the team in rushing with 437 yards and 3 touchdowns, will fill in at inside receiver with fellow sophomore Jarred Fayson, who will be in his first year as starter after compiling 14 rushes and one catch in 2006.
During spring drills, junior running back Kesthann Moore propelled himself into the starting running back’s role after Mon Williams suffered a torn ACL, something that Moore took opportunity of by separating himself from the rest of the pack.
On defense, only two starters return from a unit that finished fifth in the country against the run and sixth in total defense, those being End Derrick Harvey and Safety Tony Joiner. In 2006, Harvey recorded 13 tackles for losses and 11 sacks, as well as an MVP award for his play against Ohio State in the BCS Championship Game where he recorded three sacks and a fumble recovery in Florida’s 41-14 win.
Final analysis: There is no doubt that Florida had a year to remember last year as they posted a school-best 13 wins and a convincing win over Ohio State in the national title game. But with most of the personnel gone from last year, the Gators are still going to be competitive but will fall short of repeating in 2006.
Well I first would like to apologize to any TNB Loyalists out there who have missed me as class started back for me last Thursday and I have been a bit busy. However, in my absence, “Doc” and “Bob” picked up the slack so make sure you check out what you might’ve missed. On to a couple of Tuesday topics…
♥ The Cincinnati Reds take on the Shitsburgh Pirates tonight in a ‘Double Header’ that sees the first pitch of the first game at 5:05PM EST. The Pirates are in last place of the National League Central but are on a bit of a tear of their own at the moment going 7-3 in their last 10 games. The games are in Shitsburg but the Pirates have virtually the same record at home as they do on the road so that shouldn’t be much of a factor. The Reds need to continue their hot streak, especially with two games tonight, as the Milwaukee Brewers and the Chicago Cubs play one another this week, so one of them has to lose (hopefully Chicago tonight – sorry “Bob”). It has been fun being a Reds fan the last few weeks as they have at least made the back stretch exciting and, more importantly, the baseball watchable.
♣ The Cincinnati Bengals lost their third straight preseason game last night to the Atlanta Ookies by a score of 19-24. The first-team offense finally got their ass back on track and scored two touchdowns before half time, so Bengal Nation can breath a sigh of relief. What we cannot become complacent with his the defense who made Joey Harrington look like Johnny Unitas. Joey went 13-21 with 164 yards and 2 touchdowns to no interceptions and the Bengals’ “swiss cheese” defense (as “Charlie” likes to call it) showed no signs of being able to stop either the run or the pass. They’re more or less out of excuses and this season will be make-or-break for that damned defense. Also it should be noted that Shayne Graham sat out the game with a hip pointer stemming from covering a kick off. The team turned to 2-point conversions while Shayne-o-mac sat out and he will not play in Friday night’s preaseason finale. Graham and the team is optimistic for his return for the September 10th opener and he is not scheduled for an M.R.I. and is listed on the injury report on a day-to-day basis. This was devastating to me as I drafted Shayne in Fantasy Football, as usual, and now I have to pray to the Fantasy Gods that he returns for the season…
More to come as Florida’s football preview drops tomorrow and I continue the Bengals’ offensive previews…ciao!
You look at the car above and you cry because it was a Lamborghini. Fighting back tears you read the story of Lance Briggs, ‘Da Bears’ Pro-Bowl linebacker who was involved in this one-car accident. You learn that it was found abandoned at 3:15 in the morning on the Edens (a highway north of Chicago) by the State Patrol. There was no driver in the car at the time, the wreck was not reported, and there were apparently no injuries. One might start to think that a star driving his car and running it into a lightpole at 3:15 AM, and then leaving the scene of an accident, would involve alcohol, but according to head coach Lovie Smith who was asked about alcohol’s involvement by a reporter:
“Now, how did we get to that part?” Smith asked. “We have a one-car accident and now alcohol is involved? I think that’s stretching a little bit to go that far.”
OF COURSE THERE WAS ALCOHOL INVOLVED! I add 2 and 2 and come out with 4… but apparently Lovie Smith comes up with 5 and then questions how I came to 4.
Here in a “The Nasty Boys’” EXCLUSIVE video as we have Lance Briggs (the one in black) being helped to his car by 2 other gentlemen.
Of course he was drunk Lovie, and there is no other reason to think otherwise. Luckily for Bears fans, and humanity really, he didn’t hurt anyone and made it home in enough time so he wouldn’t get caught and suspended.
Also, Briggs was at practice Monday morning bright and early, before being arrested with 2 misdemeanors for leaving the scene of an accident and failing to report an accident within 30 minutes. F*ck man, I don’t even want to go to class or work early in the morning after drinking let alone after wrecking a car at 3:15 in the morning; Briggs should be commended for making it in on time. (Not really but a little sarcasm in what could have been a scary situation couldn’t hurt.)
In college football, as well as in life, you have your good days and your bad days.
And in the case of the Tennessee Volunteers in 2005, those bad days were plenty as Tennessee sat at home during the holidays for the first time in nearly 20 years, finishing 5-6 on the year including a loss to Vanderbilt at Neyland Stadium to close out the season.
With that behind them, the Vols did the Vol Nation proud in 2006 by bouncing back with a respectable 9-4 record and a New Year’s Day bowl berth, only to lose to Penn State in the Outback Bowl.
But despite this, the Vols are fast approaching a decade without an SEC Championship, or even a mention in the national championship hunt, something that has the locals in Knoxville a bit edgy and concerned as championships are expected each and every year like the checkers in the end zones at Neyland.
And as Philip Fulmer, the dean of SEC coaches, enters his 15th season in Knoxville, the pressure for an SEC championship will be greater than ever as Erik Ainge returns for one more year on the Hilltop.
In 2006, Ainge threw for 2,989 yards and 19 touchdowns, good enough for a 67.0 completion percentage. Many of those passes went to targets such as Robert Meachem, Bret Smith, and Jayson Swain, who combined for a total of 2,439 reception yards and 22 touchdowns in 2006, and with them gone, it’s up to a brand new batch of receivers that include only one that saw any type of game action in Lucas Taylor.
Joining Taylor will be sophomore Quinton Hancock and Austin Rogers, who both emerged from spring drills as the top wideouts.
The running game, for the most part, is a bit on the medicore side as the Vols averaged the worst amount of yards per game in over 20 years with 108 yards per game in 2006. Atlanta native LaMarcus Coker will be splitting time with former freshman phenom Adrian Foster at tailback. Coker rushed for 717 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2006 while Foster rushed for 359 yards and 5 touchdowns. The wild card in the running game will be Montario Hardesty, who finished second on the team in rushing with 419 yards and 4 touchdowns and who should see some valuable playing time in 2007.
For a school that is known for churning out guys like Reggie White and Al Wilson, the Vols defense in 2006 was absymal as Tennessee finished 72nd in stopping the run. With the departure of the 4-3 defense that has been in place since 1989 and experimenting with the 3-4, the Vols look to close out games that could have played a role in determining whether or not they would play in a BCS bowl last season.
Notables that return on offense include linebacker Jerrod Mayo, who finished third on the team with 83 stops and 12.5 tackles for loss. He will be joined senior Ryan Karl, who collected 66 tackles in 2006 and is a thinking man’s player according to some publications around the South.
Final analysis: A decade ago, it was Tennessee and Florida carrying the banner for the SEC, making the third Saturday in September count towards not only the conference championship, but a shot at a national championship as well. Now that the Gators have their second national championship and returned to their status as the class of the SEC, the Vols, for the most part, are on the clock if they want to return to glory in 2007. This year can be the giant step Tennessee can take to getting back to that point in the SEC.
MJ
Charlie Hustle
Condo
Bob Swerski
