July 24, 2014
2 WEEKS AWAY
Year 3 of The Dru Nettles Show comes your way in 14 days… on Cox 4 Television, Thursday, August 7, 6pm-7pm. (with replay on Friday, August 8, 10:30am—11:30am)
CENTRAL’S WEEKLY SPORTS SHOW
The Central Sports & Business Report airs tonight, 5:30pm—6:30pm, broadcasting live from Johnny’s Pizza House, Wax Road, in Central, on WPFC, 1550AM, Baton Rouge and on the Internet at JonFineProductions.com. Host Steve Johnson will be joined by CHS Assistant Football coach Josh Johns and Central HS Seniors Jett Ashford, Chris Chambliss (first person to come up with relationship to former major leaguer Mark Littell and responds to this newsletter wins 2 buffet cards to Johnny’s Pizza House), Kris Davis, Nick Handy and JD Schopp
BROADCASTING SCHEDULE:
Thursday, July 24: 5:30pm—6:30pm… with Steve Johnson … broadcasting live from Johnny’s Pizza House in Central
WPFC, 1550AM, BR
Internet: JonFineProductions.com
SportsRadio 1310 Radio, Lake Charles Programming of Interest (also heard on KEZMOnLine.com:
Saturday, July 26: 9AM—10AM: All Things Football with Scott Holtzman
Monday, July 28: 8AM—10AM: The Locker Room with John Goodman and Jim Gazzolo
WE THANK YOU FOR DOING YOUR UTMOST TO PATRONIZE SPONSORS OF OUR PROGRAMMING. THIS HELPS US TREMENDOUSLY IN SUSTAINING OUR WEEKLY LINE-UP AND WILL ASSIST US IN ADDING MORE PROGRAMS IN THE FUTURE. KINDLY MAKE AN EFFORT TO LET SPONSORS KNOW YOU HEARD THEIR BUSINESS MENTIONED ON OUR BROADCAST(S).
THE WIZARDRY OF OS
Assistant Basketball Coach and Head Swimming Coach at Central High
As training camp begins for the New Orleans Saints, the good news is we know almost all the starters.
Brees, Colston, Stills, Cooks, Graham, Armstead, Grubbs, Evans, and Strief on offense. I put three wide receivers because they might as well all be starters. I didn't put any running backs because they all will play and share the carries.
On defense, Jordan, Hicks, Bunkley, Gallette, Hawthorne, Lofton, Lewis, Vaccaro, and Byrd are the starters. I think Bush will play as much as a starter, so let's include him too.
So what is left to be decided? A bunch.
The only starter on offense yet to be decided of significance is center. The Saints have the veteran fall back plan in Goodwin and the young unproven hopeful in Lelito. The most important aspect of this training camp battle is that a decision is made quickly for the chemistry to develop between the center and quarterback as well as the rest of the offensive line.
The other main position battles do not involve starters, but with the Saints all receivers need to be ready to contribute. Injuries, multiple formations, and Drew Brees' willingness to distribute the ball to the open man make the 4th and 5th receivers crucial. Joe Morgan would seem to have a leg up because of his big play ability. But if Cooks can fulfill that role then, then Morgan may have a tough time. Toon was drafted to be the next Colston. But if he doesn't impress, we all know the Saints are willing to give an undrafted rookie a shot. Robert Meachem is still hanging around, but I have a tough time seeing him make the team unless the Saints keep six receivers. Don't ask me to explain my reasoning, it is just a hunch.
One more offensive position battle to watch is place kicker. I am sure the Saints would love to hit the jackpot with a young kicker that has range. At the same time, when push comes to shove, Payton wants someone who is close to automatic from 45 and less. Payton likes veteran kickers, so Graham has a big advantage.
Defensively, the 2nd and nickel corners are up for grabs. It is safe to say that one of those spots will go to Champ Bailey. The other spot should go to Corey White or Patrick Robinson. Robinson still has the better potential, but at this point I think will be great or cut.
Linebacker is the spot on offense that will be the most interesting to watch for depth purposes. The Saints are loaded with recent mid round and free agent draft picks that can player linebacker or defensive end.
Overall, this team has a tremendous amount of stability from last year which is a great advantage for the overall team chemistry and attitude that Payton will be trying to develop.
HEY REF
Coaches
Coaches
Coaches
If you’ve never heard or read a single column of “Hey Ref” then this should be your first! I want to make it very plain now long before the 2014 football season begins that this year as never before the officials working your Friday night games (and all others) will be concentrating on the elimination of personal fouls and unnecessary late hits.
It’s not just in high school games but every level of play the need for making the game safer is paramount. The National Federation has always taken player safety as the number one goal in any rewriting of their rules. From the opening kickoff our priority will be to curb any hint of excessive aggression and it will not be just against quarterbacks.
High school officials and the L. H. S. A. A. have been meeting for the past six months making sure that when we blow the whistle to start play every one is on the same page. But I can only hope that our coaches understand there will be no grey area when it comes to “targeting” an opposing player.
Last Monday night at our weekly meeting the vast majority of time was spent reviewing films of illegal hits and exactly what the officials are being instructed to do and what we must do when we see it. So not only will teams be walking back fifteen yards but anything that can be ruled as an intentional act to PUNISH an opponent will be met with an immediate ejection.
This means ANYTHING to ANY PLAYER that is meant to punish will be rigorously enforced. So please coaches do everybody a favor and get rid of any player that refuses to abide by these strict guidelines. You’ll be doing your school a huge favor because there will be times this fall where I’ll hear coaches say “Hey Ref; that sure was close”. And I won’t argue with any coach that says that because he’ll be correct.
The buzz word in football these days is TARGETING. To many officials and I include myself in that we don’t take this targeting thing as a rule change. In our world we’ll a hold go without calling it (if it doesn’t influence the play or its outcome), we’ll let a guy slide if he’s just inside the neutral zone again influencing the outcome of the play is major when we work a game because the kids aren’t professional players.
But what I won’t let go is anything I feel is a cheap shot no matter if the whistle was blown an hour ago. Some coaches feel its part of the game but I can’t look a parent in the eyes if I didn’t flag someone that took a cheap shot at their son and now he’s being carted off the field. I’ll close for now because this week there isn’t another issue in “Hey Ref’s” world more important than making crystal clear to all the coaches, players and parents that we’ll be calling TARGETING on those types of plays you feel are close, borderline and “cheap”. Of course you’ll be correct but you should know by the time we get to the stadium that keeping players as safe as humanly possible is at the forefront of every one.
Till next week…
The Rotary Club of Livingston Parish
Rotary Bull
By Ivy Graham
“Service Above Self”
Please visit our website at www.rotaryclublp.org.
This week’s meeting:
• This week’s meeting will be held at Big Mike’s. Fellowship begins at 11:30. The meeting is from 12:00-1:00. This week’s guest speaker will be Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta. His territory is District 1 for the State. Did you know the commissioners had districts? Did you know he was district 1? If you answer to both questions was NO. You better get your butt to Rotary on Friday and get you some education!
Last week’s meeting:
• Last week Isabel Casas made us all want to go to RYLA. Her tales of adventure, friendship, growth and the woes of living without electricity gave us a glimpse into what a difference this camp experience has had on her life. Personally, I felt to spoke so highly of the camp we would be the dumbest club EVER if we didn’t send a student every year. But then again, this is just the ranting of the Bull
•Our club has a brag jar. Better bring your dollars folks!
• Supply list for animal shelter was distributed. We need a builder!!!
Upcoming Events/Projects:
• Wine Tasting 7/25
Note from the President:
• July is Rotary Grants month. How does a club get a grant? Could this club get a grant? How many different types of grants does rotary offer? Hummmm
So many questions, so much to learn!
Guest Speakers and General Membership Meeting Dates:
• Aug 8 – Guest Speaker, Livingston Parish Arts Council
• Sept 12 – Carl Herrick, Sandler Training (pending)
• Oct 10 – Patrick Beauchamp, Estate Planner
• Dairy Farmers approved but didn’t pick a date
What are we to do!!!!
Brags:
• Jon Fine had great concerns that the club was unaware how terrific of a person Curt Nickels is as well as what a phenomenal company Farm Bureau is and the amazing work they are doing in the community. They are certainly a trendsetter by quickly signing up to advertise with Jon Fine Productions. Better get your spot while the getting is good!
• Glenn Westmoreland visited our club and announced his candidacy for Family Court Judge in the 21st Judicial District Court.
• Jonathan Whitman has his eyes on a green Masters jacket. He shot a 95 while playing golf! Tiger Woods better watch out!
• James Adams wanted us to know Sport-N-Center has school uniform shirts for $5.00!!! Yes, you read that correctly… $5.00. Better get in now before they sell out!!
Members:
• Your quarterly dues have been distributed. Please kindly and timely submit your payment to Lisa Casas.
• Shirts for sale only $7.00 for members. These things are selling like hotcakes!
JON IS PROUD TO WORK AS A MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE FOR SPORTSRADIO-1310-KEZM-LAKE CHARLES, IN ESTABLISHING THE “DOLLAR A HOLLER” MARKETING PROGRAM AND HELPING SELL SULPHUR HS FOOTBALL BROADCASTS AND BARBE HS BASEBALL PLAYOFF BROADCASTS.