Culture
Outlook on the Saints ‘08 Offense
http://deuceandreggie.com/2008/07/09/outlook-on-the-saints-08-offense/
2008 will prove that the 2006 season was not a fluke. As I said before Coach Peyton has had plenty of time to go over all the game film, and I am sure some very kind words were said in the coaches meetings this off season.
So lets look at the offense and break down each position, of coarse there are some questions remaining in the running back position and who will come out as the 4 spot or possible 5 spot in the wide receivers. **Remember I think Coach Peyton has a few tricks up his sleeve this year, and an offense that will revolutionize the game of football will debut this season, so carrying some extra wide receivers will not be surprising. With that in mind let’s look at the positions.
QB
Drew Brees – How well he does is determined on how well the defense plays. Looking back, whenever the defense had a good game, Drew had a better game. If the defense started out good so did Drew, but as the defense often more times than less failed to hold down the attack, Drew fought to maintain down the stretch. Now don’t get me wrong, Drew is one of the top QB’s in the NFL, his accuracy is second to none, so with the defense stepping up this season, look for Drew to return to the Pro Bowl form this year.
Mark Brunell – Mark was a great pick up this off season, his better days are over, but the experience and knowledge he brings is immeasurable.
Tyler Palko – I loved watching him in pre season last year, he reminded me of Brett Farve in his younger days. He has 2 of the best in the business to learn from.
RB
Deuce McAllister – We can hope he will be ready for the start of the season; the Saints need that big punch up the middle. Deuce is also a leader that can make a difference on and off the field.
Reggie Bush – What can you say, this year will be a make or break for Reggie. Making the transition from college to pro is difficult.. Add in the media hype that accompanied his arrival, we just expected too much to fast, but now in his 3rd year, he says he is focused, and ready to make a difference. Coach Peyton will give him that chance; it will be up to Reggie to take it.
Pierre Thomas – I currently have him ahead of Aaron Stecker. In the last game of the season against Chicago, he made the most of it. With 105 yds rushing and 121 receiving Pierre showed some promise in a game that could have helped the Saints sneak into the playoffs and with the Bears playing for pride. Even though early reports have him working in 3rd down situations, if Deuce does not return to form, I see Pierre getting the ball allot more often.
DeuceandReggie.com
7/9/08
The SEC as Liquor
http://thecollegefootballguys.blogspot.com/2008/07/sec-as-liquor.html
Good looking women. Hot muggy summers. Southern hospitality. Sweet tea. Coke. Rebel attitude.
The south has provided all this and more to the American public. However the most important is the south's love of Spirits.
NASCAR, an entire sports industry, was built around a southern moonshiner's ability to outrun the authorities. It is the efforts of these brave men that saved America the liquid we all enjoy. Liquor is important stuff to these folks. Therefore it makes perfect sense that we compare their teams to the hooch we love so much.
Tennessee - Wild Turkey. Just as the clothes worn to the game, both can be used on your next hunting trip. No need to repack that 4X4. Just whistle for Smokey the blood hound, and go.
Vanderbilt - Jack Daniels Single Barrel. Not a bourbon, not an Admiral, not Ivy League, and definitely not Woodford's Reserve, but acts like it is.
Kentucky - Maker's Mark. Good solid bourbon that is content to be second best on its own campus. Enjoys a more laid back approach to life.
South Carolina - Old Crow. Mixed with sweetener makes a poor man's mint julep. Straight up it is too hard and abrasive(like a drink from a fire hydrant). The added flavor makes it more soft and subtle like the football team. Enjoys riding the coattails of the once successful.
LSU - Everclear aka Ethanol. No matter how popular and trendy they have become in recent years, when you break it all down it still just moonshine. James Carville is their biggest fan. Makes "drinking the Kool-Aid" that much easier.
Alabama - Patron. New spin on an old classic. Drinking it will make you feel like Superman and repress bad memories of the recent past. At the bottom of it all is still a big ol' worm.
college football guys
7/11/08
Top 25 Toughest Places to Play
http://extracurlyfries.wordpress.com/2008/07/09/top-25-toughest-places-to-play/
In the new edition of NCAA Football ‘09 which releases for the XBOX 360 and PlayStation 3 next Tuesday, the top 25 toughest places to play in the game are set. Three SEC teams in the top five. Not bad.
#1 LSU
#2 Florida
#3 Ohio State
#4 Penn State
#5 Tennessee
#6 Oklahoma
#7 Oregon
#8 Wisconsin
#9 Virginia Tech
#10 Nebraska
#11 USC
#12 Texas
#13 Michigan
#14 Texas A&M
#15 Notre Dame
#16 Georgia
#17 Florida State
#18 Alabama
#19 Auburn
#20 West Virginia
#21 Clemson
#22 Arkansas
#23 Colorado
#24 Boise St.
#25 South Carolina
Why on earth is Oregon, Wisconsin, and Southern Cal ahead of Georgia, Auburn, and Alabama? The latter three should be in the top ten instead of the first three mentioned. Southern Cal has to cover up 30,000 seats and they still can’t sell out. I guess it’s tougher to play in Autzen Stadium (50,000+) than in the SEC? Ha. Here’s my top 25:
1. LSU
2. Florida
3. Tennessee
4. Georgia
5. Ohio State
6. Penn State
7. Auburn
8. Alabama
9. Michigan
10. Virginia Tech
11.Nebraska
12. Texas A&M
13. Florida State
14. Texas
15. Oklahoma
16. Clemson
17. Wisconsin
18. Notre Dame
19. Oregon
20. Arkansas
21. Southern California
22. Arizona State
23. South Carolina
24. Colorado
25. West Virginia
ExtraCurlyFries,please
7/10/08
Top Prospects: Running Backs
http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=2&c=767909
Most teams in Tennessee are going to rely on their ground game heavily during the 2008 season. Find out who some of the top running backs will be this season throughout the state. Learn more about the prospects and the schools recruiting them.
The most sought after running back prospect in the state may be Gabriel Hunter, 5-11, 190 pounds from Memphis-Kingsbury (Tenn.). He has offers from Alabama, Tennessee, Auburn, Memphis, Mississippi, Oklahoma State, and Texas Tech. Hunter is a strong running back with the potential to take it the distance. Look for a big season from this 2007 Mr. Football Finalist.
One of the hottest prospects in Tennessee is David Jones, 6-0, 205 pounds from South Pittsburg (Tenn.). Jones holds offers from Memphis, Middle Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and Mississippi State. He is being recruited by some schools as running back, but his athleticism has allowed some schools to go after him as a linebacker or safety. His team will be out to defend their 2007 state championship relying heavily upon Jones.
Keenan Kolinsky, 6-1, 212 pound running back from Knoxville-Christian Academy (Tenn.) is a big back in East Tennessee hoping to turn some heads this season. He holds one offer from Air Force and is receiving a lot of interest from many other schools. The other schools actively after this big back include Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Middle Tennessee, Stanford, and Virginia. In his junior season he had 193 carries for almost 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns.
scout.com
7/9/08