May 5, 2016
1958 LSU TIGERS FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE
Well, perhaps the next best thing
The Tigers captured the 1958 National Championship. And we DO NOT have their media guide for sale from that year. Hopefully, one day we will… but, ArrestedDevelopmentMediaGuides does have the 1958 Southeastern Conference Football Media Guide on auction. This guide features all the teams in the SEC, including Paul Dietzel’s 1958 National Championship team
And Arrested Development does have the 2003 and 2007 (national championship team) LSU Football media guides on sale. … ArrestedDevelopmentMediaGuides, our EBay store, sells media guides and programs. Please visit JonFineProductions.com and click on icon to get to the store. Check out a full array of New Orleans Saints media guides and LSU media guides and programs. Over 900 publications listed with more auctions daily
SPORTSCENTRAL
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THE WIZARDRY OF OS
Assistant Basketball Coach and Head Swimming Coach at Central High School
I am not big on giving grades to teams for the NFL Draft because the grade should be in the performance. Yet, I think I have found a way.
Instead of giving a grade as of now, I will say what would happen for this group to get certain grades. If that doesn’t make sense, keep reading.
It is not hard to imagine what would deserve a D or F. Unfortunately, as a Saints fan, I can see this scenario easily, and it would look like this
Sheldon Rankins joins the infamous list of Saints first round defensive lineman busts alongside Shawn Knight, Johnathan Sullivan, and Sedrick Ellis. Michael Thomas is never any better than a third or fourth option. Vonn Bell is always a third safety that doesn’t warrant trading up to pick. Onyemata never adjusts to the NFL game, making both trades complete disasters. Lasco doesn’t make the team, and none of the undrafted free agent offensive lineman develop into contributors.
While possible, that scenario is pretty awful, so let’s move quickly to a B- or C grade. Most likely, Rankins will at least be a solid starter. Thomas will be behind Snead and Cooks this year, but he could be a starting receiver in two or three years. Bell should play a bunch in the nickel and on special teams. Onyemata will most likely play because the Saints are not very good on the defensive line. Lasco would be a good pick if he just contributes on special teams. One of the free agent offensive lineman makes the team and becomes a solid backup or starter in a few years.
As I write, I realize it is more fun to be a fanatic, so let’s envision a reasonable path in which this class deserves an A grade. Rankins is a starter this year and a pro bowl player by year three. Thomas and Bell are solid contributors as the third receiver and nickel back in addition to special teams this year. Onyemata is Terron Armstead part two, which means he contributes by the end of this year and plays prominent downs in year two. Lasco is going to be good on special teams, but also contributes when running backs get hurt (which always happens). One of the undrafted free agent offensive lineman pull a Pierre Thomas. I doubt that happens, but I guarantee you Loomis and Payton know they need a long shot to pan out.
As you can tell, I expect the first three picks to be okay, I am disappointed there weren’t more picks overall. I don’t think the current roster is good enough at guard, so I think not drafting a guard is only acceptable if they sign a veteran over the summer or one of the UDFAs work out. With so few picks, it is not hard to see this draft being another wipeout. That leads to my complaint with surrendering draft picks and trading up so often. This habit leaves even less margin for error in a process that involves educated guesses at best and is a total gamble at worst. The fact is if you have 8 draft picks (easy math), and are correct on 50% then you have added 4 good players. But, with just five picks, you have to shoot 80% to get four good players. To make matters worse, the Saints need as many good players as possible.
In my mind, I don’t think the Saints are good enough to make noise next year based on this class. For the Saints to handle the tough schedule in front of them and make the playoffs, last year’s class of redshirts must produce. PJ Williams needs to provide depth at corner. Kikaha must take the next step and Davis Tull would bring a big boost to the defense if he can bring a pass rush. Last but not least, Andrus Peat has to make huge strides.
Last week, I wrote about my fear regarding the Saints draft. Thankfully, the Saints did not flinch toward any quarterbacks. Still, my hope was that they would recognize from the Panthers and Broncos the need for offensive and defensive lineman (in a draft that was loaded with defensive lineman and ends). Things didn’t work out that way and three of the five picks were used on players that play on the edge. I hope like heck they were brilliant picks. It just doesn’t feel that way right now.
BY DENNIS DEARIE
VETERAN LOUISIANA HS REFEREE
Well it looks like the LHSAA has once again “fumbled, struck out, put up an air ball” or any number of ways you may want to use in describing their handling of the 2016 baseball playoffs. In one of those moments that’ll go down in history of “How not to do something” just about everybody hesitated and scratched their heads wondering just how and when some schools got booted from their playoff brackets.
While many coaches were scrambling to get answers to their sudden ousting and having the door slammed in their faces by the powers on Old Hammond Highway what they should’ve been doing is calling their principals. Many questions they had could’ve and should’ve been answered by the very people responsible for the rules they play under each and every year; aka the PRINCIPALS!
There is no need to be doing any finger pointing because after all the LHSAA describes itself as a voluntary, NON-PROFIT organization. If you continue reading they also claim to be a PRINSIPAL’S ORGANIZATION so with that said and understood I’ve got just one question “How in the world could you devise such an idiotic and unfair way to conclude crowning a state champion”?
I understand that some were attempting to find a fair way for teams to advance in their brackets but forcing schools out because of something no one can control is absurd. We all expect in these modern days to find a way of winning a state title on the field. It’s not only the best way of conducting business but it’s the only way. If winning a championship on the field wasn’t the one most accepted then we’d just as soon have an end of season poll and that would be the end of it.
I’d like to offer my suggestion for future baseball playoffs; split the state into four regions. Each region would then host a type of playoff/tournament at two separate locations for the final eight teams over a two weekend time span. The four lower ranked teams would begin their 2 out of three games on Thursday afternoon and night. If a third game is to be played that game would take place between the first and second game played by the higher ranked teams Friday afternoon.
The top four teams in each bracket then start Friday morning. Saturday mornings start the finals with Sundays left open for rainouts and/or severe weather days. All winning teams would then head to a Super Regional Final Tournament the following week beginning on Thursday afternoon with the lower ranked teams while higher ranked teams would play Fridays. Sure it sounds confusing and complicated but if you actually sit down and try to make sense of the rules in effect now then you’d have to take time and try to find a better way.
I’m not saying my way is a better way but it is a leap forward in keeping all teams that have qualified for a playoff spot on the field playing games until eliminated. I’m sure my idea won’t get any real scrutiny by the principals or the LHSAA but there has to be a better way and one that treats qualifying teams playing and not having to surrender due to weather systems. At least my idea might get some much needed debate as to finding common ground that treats all teams equally.
Now I’ve got to back track a little as I had a few questions on my support for the split playoff format. First off the truth of the matter is the playing field between public and private schools was never level in that those schools that are permitted to recruit are vastly superior to those fielding teams due to a specific attendance zone. That fact alone leaves no one wondering why many of the state titles in football for example go to private schools.
I’d also call ‘em what they are PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS and not “SELECT”. Saying a school is either a select or non-select just leaves a bad taste in my mouth as it hints at not respecting those schools labeled as not being a selected place of higher learning. It’s a sad thing to admit but again I’ve got to call it what it is and that is athletic events are by far the highest grossing events most schools host. Cold-hard fact is Louisiana like many states in this country doesn’t have enough money to pay its bills much less fork over funds to play games.
That entity responsible for generating those much needed funds is in fact the LHSAA a self-described “NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION”. One thing you can do to generate funds is to charge more at the gate or you can expand the number of events that allow you to charge admission into the stadium. Most people I know would balk at paying more so the only acceptable solution is to host more events people will pay to watch live. And that is how the LHSAA has addressed the need in putting more money in the “kitty”.
Some might not think it’s fair to split the schools into two divisions at playoff time but the only other option won’t fly in this continued economic circus we call Louisiana.
Till next week…
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