January 27, 2017
FINALE
Our Friday, January 27 program will be the last one for SPORTSGUMBO—Denham Springs
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Thank you to everyone who helped out and contributed to the program, including Denham Springs coaches Sarah Batty, Kevin Caballero, Kevin Dorhauer and Shelly LaPrarie, who so graciously gave us their time on air with regular updates on their teams
And, finally, Thank you to perhaps the man with the most integrity in radio, Family Radio GM Duillio Canossa, for giving us this opportunity
I can honestly say that Jon Fine Productions gave it a good effort. The program was just not sustainable.
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THE WIZARDRY OF OS
Assistant Basketball Coach and Head Swimming Coach at Central High
“Next man up.” You hear it all the time from coaches, players, media, and fans. When a player gets injured, everyone understands it is time for the next person in line to step up, and there are no excuses.
Fans and media often complain about coach speak, but “Next Man up” is the exception to the rule. They love that phrase from coaches and players, and rightfully so. Injuries are a part of any game. Every team has players get hurt, so plan for it and overcome it.
In the best case scenarios, a team can replace a Leonard Fournette with a Derrius Guice. The next best case is that the injury happens in the off season, so the team has time to make a backup plan. The Saints knew all summer they would be without Kikaha, so they had time to make acquisitions like Paul Kruger.
College teams can try and stockpile talent to where losing players to injury doesn’t have quite the impact. The best professional teams, like the Spurs, develop players so the 10th, 11th, and 12th players on the roster can contribute when called upon.
No matter the precautions though, a rash of injuries at one position or an injury to the wrong player is going to effect a team. The team has to believe in the “Next man up” mantra, but how long does that work? In many cases, not long.
Sure, there are tons of examples of NFL players being signed off the street and having a great game. Most Saints fans will always remember Mike McKenzie being signed during the week and then helping the Saints dominate the Patriots in the dome 38-17 in 2009. In the NBA, a player might have a great week after a D-league call up. In MLB, a pitcher might get called up from double A and have a great start or two. Maybe a batter gets hot for two weeks. But film doesn’t lie and teams are looking closely.
In most cases, coaches find a weakness to attack. After all, there is a reason that player was available to be signed. There is a reason that player was in the minors. “Next man up” is great and necessary, but there is one mantra that is much more successful. “Same man up.” Sure I just made that up, but think about it. Last year the Carolina Panthers offensive line stayed incredibly healthy and they went 15-1. This year injuries piled up and their record was 7-8-1.
This year the Atlanta Falcons were the only team to have the same five starters on the offensive line start and play in all 16 games. Let that sink in for a second. That is an amazing stat, and look at the results. Matt Ryan will probably be the MVP. In the playoff games he has had all day to throw because continuity and cohesion with good or great players is priceless.
The Falcons will surely have another good offense next year, but I would bet a good bit of money that at least one starter misses a game due to injury and the Falcon’s offense is not ranked first again next year. Not because they won’t be good, the coaching will go bad, or a Super Bowl hangover. Simply, the Falcons will have more injuries next year.
If you know me, you know I am a huge Saints fan, so this article may sound like sour grapes, but trust me it is not. Instead, I am trying to point out the fine line between 7-9 and out the playoffs versus 11-5 and a Super Bowl berth.
If I am playing on a team or coaching a team, I promise you we won’t blink an eye when a player gets injured. “Next man up” I say. But as a fan and a realist, I will always be hoping for health and the, “Same man up.”
HEY REF
I know the vast majority of people reading this column from week to week will not know recognize the name CHAD BROWN. There are probably countless men in America named Chad Brown but the one I’m talking about stood was an NFL umpire for 23 years. And he’s the answer to the many questions as to why all NFL officials are wearing the number 31 on their hats.
The Chad Brown I’m referring to stood 6’ 5” and weighed in around 250 lbs. He certainly stood out in a crowd of officials not because of his size but because he simply was a genuine “gentle giant” both on and off the field. I had the pleasure of not only meeting but also working with him at two official’s clinics at UCLA. What struck me the most about this gentle giant was his ability to make sure he answered every question we’d ask of him in a way not to embarrass a single one official.
In fact he’s one of the main reasons that I returned for a second time because he made you feel important and he took time to insure you understood the answers he gave to your question. NFL officials are members of a very close fraternity and are chosen because they are the best. Being human they do make mistakes, no doubt but at the end of the day those mistakes become some of the funniest stories.
I want to tell a story Chad told concerning a fellow umpire at one of the camps. As Chad started to speak into the microphone his intended target took the microphone so as he said “I want to be sure that the truth and nothing but the truth is told”. He started off by saying “Chad loves making our mistakes bigger then what they really are”. He continued that Chad has told the story so often that maybe some of the returning officials might have already heard it.
The official began by saying his mistake was in a Super Bowl and if any of us were watching then we’d know just how wrong he was and how embarrassed he was. Seems he was working as the head linesman and a team was very close to making a first down. The ball was “dead” between the side line and the hashmarks. Normally the chain crew will take the chains onto the field for a measurement. But not this time as he took the ball and walked over to the chains and placed the ball on the sideline just short of the line to gain.
He’d moved the ball so fast that nobody had a chance to stop him. As luck would have it the line judge was still holding the spot (we line judges save so many guys) and after placing the ball down next to his foot they did gain enough yardage and were awarded a first down. You’d think the official that really blew this call wouldn’t want that story told to a bunch of us amateurs but I can still remember that the laughter lasted well over a minute.
But all the officials at this camp (Personal Touch at UCLA) respected Chad so much that he could tell this story over and over and it still brought the house down. At the same camp I was put in charge of the table (crew) and we were all given a few play situations and were able to watch the video. Not to bore anyone we had a few play situations and were allowed to discuss what we as a crew would’ve called had we been on the field.
I am never one to pat myself on the back but this time I’ve got to “toot” my own horn. On the stickiest call our table was the only crew to make the right determination of the play and how to mark off the yardage. When it was time to wrap this session up and head for lunch Chad came over to me and asked how I figured out the situation, penalty and enforcement. I just told him that we as a crew made the ultimate decision even though it was me that offered how to enforce the foul.
I’ll never forget it when for a brief second of silence he told me, keep making decisions as part of a crew, never not allow any member of the crew to talk and weigh in on the proper enforcement. I took that advice and still cling to it. What I took home with me after talking with Chad was to allow every member of a crew to speak. The game won’t go anywhere unless you are ready.
He made a huge impression on me simply because he took time to find me since the camp is basically a camp for collegiate officials. The NFL lost one of its best in Chad Brown. They just don’t make ‘em like him anymore. You’ll be missed Chad by many people and this one little high school official. But that’s what made Chad so important; he had respect for every person wanting to get better and do a job as best they could. That’s what he stood for, just do your best!!!
Till next week…
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