January 15, 2015
SPORTSCENTRAL
After a 2 week hiatus for the holidays, Coach Sid and Steve Johnson return to the airwaves tonight, with SportsCentral… see show details next
Scheduled guests include CHS Bowling Coaches Scott Credeur and Phil Godley and former Wildcat athletes Thomas Eddlemon and Joey Jarreau
BATON ROUGE AREA BROADCASTING SCHEDULE:
Thursday, January 15: 5pm—6pm: SportsCentral… with Sid Edwards and Steve Johnson
WUBR, 910AM (CBS Sports Radio) Baton Rouge
PelicanSportsTV.com
App: search WUBR… from Coach’s
SportsRadio 1310 Radio, Lake Charles Programming of Interest (also heard on KEZMOnLine.com):
Saturday, January17: 9AM—10AM: All Things Football with Scott Holtzman
Monday, January 19: 8AM—10AM: The Locker Room with John Goodman and Jim Gazzolo
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THE WIZARDRY OF OS
Assistant Basketball Coach and Head Swimming Coach at Central High
I am now convinced that I don’t watch the same game as other people when I watch football.
After Oregon’s semifinal, I was not sure about Mariota as an NFL prospect. Almost all the plays he made were outside the pocket or to wide open receivers. Yet the defense forced 5 turnovers, Florida State crawled in a hole, and most people talked about the greatness of Mariota. I just didn’t see it.
This week Ohio State dominated both lines of scrimmage and the game. Yet, I came away more impressed with Mariota. As opposed to other games where his success appeared to be a product of the system, I saw him make throws in tight windows from the pocket and under duress. But the Ducks lost big, so people are questioning his NFL potential.
I am sure I will write on the topic again closer to the draft, but for now I will share that I think Mariota will have the better career in the NFL than Winston. When I see Mariota, I feel like I am looking at Collin Kapernick, Jr. A good pro, especially with the right team and system. A good, but not great quarterback.
Speaking of the game Monday night, I thought I was watching Tre Mason and Auburn from last year when I watched Ohio State. The way Ohio State got in a zone and ran the ball at the end of the year is very reminiscent of Auburn last year. Many people wondered if Mason was that good or if he was a product of the system. Mason had a nice rookie year with the Rams. I think Elliott will be an excellent back in the NFL and a strong Heisman Trophy candidate next year.
As for Urban Meyer, he has brought the SEC to the Big 10. Offensive and defensive lines that are athletic and dominant with great skill players. The only thing that will slow him down is his own success that has already forced the rest of the Big 10 to step up.
As for the NFL coaching carousel, this year is maybe more fascinating than ever, but in a bad way. The NFL is starting to remind me of the NBA in regards to coaching stability. I am astonished by the the Broncos decision to move on from John Fox. Before that, Doug Marrone opted out of his contract with the Bills. When was the last time that happened?
Finally, Coach Miles has selected Kevin Steele to replace Chavis. The initial reaction is not positive since his last job ended with a 70 point disaster to West Virginia. I think people need to chill out, though. Tiger fans were excited about Kirby Smart even though Bama's defense was shredded in their last two of their last three games and their bowl last year. Not to mention, LSU fans would love for Saban to run the Tigers' defense.
I have no idea how Coach Steele will do for LSU. I am confident he is an excellent recruiter, which is a great place to start. I am also glad to hear Raymond and Haley signed off on the hire.
I also believe LSU fans need to look in the mirror. LSU is being picked to barely finish in the Top 20 next year. Danielle Hunter did turn pro, so LSU will be replacing both defensive ends with players that have not shown great ability. The secondary will be replacing at least half of its starters. The team is thin at linebacker, and the whole group will be learning a new system. If LSU struggles on defense next year, it won't be all Kevin Steele's fault and it shouldn't be a surprise either.
Furthermore, LSU has hardly a commitment from a defensive player, and is on the outside looking in on many prospects. If Coach Steele comes in and reels in some top prospects in the last few weeks of recruiting, then I would say the hire has had short term success.
As for the short term, Tiger fans need to keep crossing their fingers that Braxton Miller's shoulder is able to heel and he decides to transfer to LSU. I am very confident that a healthy Braxton Miller would be a more effective quarterback than Harris or Jennings. You may feel that is an obvious statement, so maybe this one is bolder. LSU is going to need to win games by out-scoring people next year at times and that means a veteran quarterback that can get the ball to Dural, Quinn, Dupre, and others.
For those that say he doesn't throw well, ponder these stats. A career completion percentage of 60% and a rating of 140. Put him behind center with the bevy of running backs LSU will have and the offense looks much better next year.
HEY REF
By Dennis Dearie
Veteran Louisiana High School Referee
This week there are two big stories getting all the headlines and attention in the sporting world. So instead of debating which one “Hey Ref” will address I feel the only right thing to do is offer my two cents on both. Since this column tries to explain issues pertaining to the job game officials do the only proper call for me to make is to lead off with the reversal of Dez Bryant’s CATCH.
As many of my faithful already know I’m not a Dallas Cowboys fan in anyway. But I am a fan of the guys in stripes making and getting all of their calls correct. Some think calling a football game is child’s play but the truth is simply this; officiating is one of the hardest jobs anyone could undertake. It’s so easy to sit in a comfortable chair, chips at the ready, cold beer in hand and super slow motion replays to aid you in making a call.
But get on the field and try to watch 22 men going in every direction under the sun and make a decision in the blink of an eye. That crap of a late flag is just that; crap. We are taught to see the play, rewind it, see it again and then decide if the rules were violated. And it won’t matter if you choose heads or tails because at the end of the day nobody will like you. There’s no way you’ll be able to keep friends because the only time you’re given time to “shine” is when you penalize a team, player and/or coach.
The NFL spent so much money, time and resources to get the “Challenge” as part of the game it’s just a very sad thing to see it getting things more screwed up then if we just let the officials make the call as they see ‘em. I watched the game and as the play ended I held my breath and hoped the game would just end without Green Bay handing the decision of who’d win the game to the guys in the NFL’s penthouse back in New York.
Well, as we all know the Packers did challenge the call on the field and again those that do mean well got it wrong, VERY WRONG! The Billion Dollar League reversed the call on the field and sent Jerry’s girls packing all the way back to Texas. Then as it has tried to do so many times the gurus back in the league offices tried explaining how they were correct in reversing its own officials once again.
The thing that should stop all this debate as to whether it was or wasn’t a catch is the NFL’s own definition as to what is a catch, this year anyway, but probably won’t be the same next year; another change is coming, you can bet the house on that! Simply put the rule states a player must maintain control of the ball all the way to the ground AND make a football move. Dez had control to the ground AND by stretching out the ball in an attempt to break the plane of the goal line did in fact make a football move.
I’ve tried listening to reporter after reporter as they try to explain the wrong side of this debate and they make absolutely no sense. The procedure followed by the NFL to correct wrong calls is a good one but when the guys on the field do have the correct call made and enforced then the league needs to stay with the men wearing stripes. And I’ll leave this debate there. The guys on the field had this call right. It’s time for the league to bolster the refs’ self-esteem by staying with those calls instead of trying to find ways in reversing those calls.
The “OTHER” big story this week is the announcement of a new defensive coordinator coming to Tiger Town. Yesterday morning it was revealed that LSU has hired Alabama’s Kevin Steele away from Little Nicky’s Tide. I’m not familiar with the coach but after reading his resume in the Baton Rouge Advocate it seems to me the guy can’t hold a job for long. Seriously; though I do hope for all the Tiger fans that he continues to improve a once dominating defense.
But what I will say to those fans upset in the way former coach John Chavis exited Baton Rouge you’ll just have to get over it. To those that feel he cheated the Tigers by not being focused on the last game against Notre Dame, you too will just have to get over it. And to those that say he owes the faithful an explanation; yeah, just get over it.
Chavis doesn’t owe the Tigers or their fans one red cent. You must remember we live in a “What have you done for me now” world. Loyalties are no longer tied to those that’ve been good to you. Or to those that took care of you in your darkest hours. No, no more is our society dominated by those that feel indebted to anyone for favors or sacrifices made for another person’s good.
To those that are feeling done wrong by Chavis, get over it. We live in a world that’s dominated by the almighty dollar. Money and greed are the only factors needed to decide loyalty. With the millions being dealt out to coaches; it’s the only thing they are loyal to these days!
And once again this year I’ll answer the question asked of me by so many of those basketball fans out there “Are you going to mention the start of round ball season”? And again I’ll answer it the same way I’ve answered it each and every year; there it is I mentioned the start of Basketball season… …
Till next week…
ROTARY OF LIVINGSTON
This week’s featured speaker at Rotary of Livingston is New York Times Bestselling author Gary Stewart.
Rotary of Livingston meets Fridays, Noon-1pm, at Big Mike’s Sports Bar & Grill, Aspen Square, Denham Springs. The public is invited.
Gary’s literary work, The Most Dangerous Animal Of all, chronicles Gary’s journey in searching for his biological father and his own identity. This pursuit would reveal the most chilling conclusions about his father, and the most notorious serial killer case in American History. Gary has been featured on CNN, Inside Edition, and in PEOPLE Magazine. He has shared his story in over one hundred television, radio and print media appearances and article. On Friday, he will share it with Rotary of Livingston.
Gary resides in Louisiana with his wife, Kristy, and son, Zach.
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