February 12, 2021
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GOD BLESS
Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone adversely effected by Hurricane Delta… and My heart goes out to my friends in the Lake Area who endured major destruction at the hands of Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Delta. My thoughts and prayers are with you. We strongly urge readers of this newsletter to donate to a worthwhile Hurricane oriented charity in the Lake Area.
TODAY’S COLUMNS:
Scott offers some historical context to this Super Bowl
Dennis assesses the LHSAA
Please scroll down below.
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THE WIZARDRY OF OS
So the Saints beat the Super Bowl champions twice including a 38-3 thrashing. I only bring that up to show how winning a championship has as much to do with improving over the course of the year as it does winning a game or two in the regular season.
We all look to the champions in any sport to see their special sauce and try to recreate the recipe. Tampa Bay rode a defensive line that was able to pressure the quarterback with their two ends and did not need to blitz. Of course, as a Saints fan, I cannot help but point out that the Saints thought they had the pass rushers in Jordan, Davenport, and Hendrickson. Unfortunately, those three have not been able to put it together in the playoffs like Pierre-Paul and Shaq Barett. I know the Chiefs were without two starting linemen, but the Bucs beat Brees, Rodgers, and Mahomes to win the Super Bowl. Those two deserve much of the credit.
Of course, on the Bucs offense there was Tom Brady. 10 Super Bowls should be a big enough sample size to see how he has gotten it done in Super Bowls. Bare with me as a get ¨statty.¨
Here are his leading receivers in the 10 Super Bowls (catches/yards):
● WR Troy Brown 6/89
● WR Troy Brown 8/76
● WR Deion Brown 11/133
● WR Wes Welker 11/103; RB Kevin Faulk 7/52
● WR Wes Welker 7/60; RB Danny Woodhead 4/42; TE Aaron Hernandez 8/67
● WR Julian Edelman 9/109; RB Shane Vereen 11/64
● RB James White 14/110; WR Edelman 5/87; WR Danny Amendola 8/78
● WR Danny Amendola 8/152; TE Gronk 9/116; WR Chris Hogan 6/128
● WR Edelman 10/142; TE Gronk 6/87
● TE Gronk 6/67; RB Leonard Fournette 4/46
The conclusion is obvious to me. Every receiver (except for Chris Hogan of all people) would be classified as a short quick possession receiver. Obviously, the other guys are tight ends and running backs. Check downs who Brady goes to in order to move the chains. Players who are able to beat man coverage. The Saints have done a poor job of getting those players on offense. They stumbled into Deonte Harris, and then he got hurt.
Going into and throughout the season everyone talked about how Brady finally had big play receivers in Godwin and Evans. Yet, In Super Bowl 55, it was not Godwin or Evans who made the catches and moved the chains.
Many teams have tight ends and running backs who can catch. The Chiefs are one of those teams, yet they were held to 9 points. In this area, the credit goes to Lavonte David and Devin White. When linebackers can run and cover like those two, they are able to stop the run and neutralize pass receiving tight ends and running backs. Those two are able to take away short, easy passes, and force quarterbacks to hold onto the ball longer which allows the pass rush to affect the quarterback.
I cannot help myself, and I must come back to my Saints. They have neglected the linebacker position for a long time. Demario Davis is great, but he needs a partner. Luke Kuechly had Thomas Davis, and the Saints tried to make it happen with Kwon Alexander. Alas, the injury bug bit again.
Many things went the Bucs way in order for them to win the Super Bowl, but that is true about any team that wins a championship. They deserve credit for getting better as the year went along and putting together a roster that had the key components to winning in January and February.
HEY REF
Before we get to another adventure of a “Best of” I’ve got to get something off my chest. My initial reaction was this has to be a major example of stupidity at the highest level. Just unbelievable. How could the LHSAA allow of all thigs a two day wrestling tournament to be held? Do they need the money that bad and are willing to risk people’s lives? Excuse me Old Hammond Highway I’d like to ask if y’all are aware of a pandemic that’s killing people across the globe? Just how could seemingly intelligent people agree to put on a two day wrestling tournament while thousands are dying?
For more than 3 weeks I haven’t left my bed except to go to the E. R. and my doctor’s office to re-do and run more tests. Both of my Covid tests were negative. Thinking I’ve finally gotten some good news NBC runs a story that many people are getting false negatives? I’m not going to “sugar coat” this lapse of common sense because lives aren’t the LHSAA’s right to gamble on those surviving another day. Usually I’d say “HEADS SHOULD ROLL” but in this case JUST ONE HEAD SHOULD ROLL AND THAT HEAD BELONGS TO NONE OTHER THAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EDDIE BONINE! HOW COULD HE AND HIS CRONIES BE SO IGNORANT? WHAT GIVES THEM THE RIGHT TO PLAY WITH NOT JUST PARENT’S LIVES BUT THOSE STUDENTS THAT’LL RUN A VERY GOOD CHANCE TO BECOME INFECTED?
I’m not one sitting on the sidelines in this because I’m closing in on a full month of feeling like I'm dying. If I’m not suffering from a bad case of COVID I’d hate to see just how much worse COVID can be. And if any of those that’ve become positive while attending the tournament do in fact pass away then the TVs will be loaded down with lawyer’s suing the LHSAA! EDDIE BONINE WAS PLAYING GOD WHEN THE TOURNAMENT GOT HIS THUMBS UP. ANY AND ALL DEATHS COULD BE TIED TO ATTENDING THE TOURNAMENT. Don’t say it can’t happen because Louisiana has some of the most cut-throat lawyers on the planet. For his outright ignorance and playing God with people’s lives he should be sent packing. He can’t raise enough money to make his actions right. When people die its forever, no second chances. We could have many students living the rest of their lives knowing that the monies raised by the LHSAA made from this event was more important to EDDIE BONINE and the LHSAA than the parents that passed away. There is no denying a decision made by EDDIE BONINE and the LHSAA could cause major harm to a bunch of young people that should’ve been told we can’t gamble with people’s lives so the tournament has been cancelled.
The last time I re-printed a “Best of Hey Ref” I was asked if there might be some other column(s) I felt were worthy of another look so to speak. Well, I’m not one who wants to disappoint those fans out there. So, after very careful consideration I’ve picked from the long list of “Hall of Fame” columns this little jewel. I appreciate it very much when the “fans” of this space make special request and if they want another “Best Of” we might try and do this again. After all I’m here only to please my readers!!!! ENJOY… … …
And they’re off! I’m not referring to the Kentucky Derby or any other horse race. No what I’m talking about is the annual Dash for the Cash in the NFL’s rookie and free agent draft. Many delusional young men will fall victim to greed and ignorance. Call me old school but I just can’t see any reason why so many 19 – 20 year old athletes believe they’re ready to compete with the big dogs unless it’s totally money clouding their ability to reason.
All I can say to the masses is “beware; there’s sharks in the water”. Many of these kids can’t balance a checkbook much less have the ability to invest millions of dollars that’ll be thrown at their feet. What’s even sadder is the cold hard fact that the vast majority of them come from poor families. Almost from the first time they strap on a uniform they’re told “the only way to make it is by playing a professional sport”.
No doubt many won’t have the opportunity to do anything but play a professional sport. But these young men need and should stay in school to acquire the book-smarts that will allow them to handle multi-million dollar contracts. Today’s professional salaries and contracts require an Einstein style mentality just to figure out the language they’re written in.
I can give you two perfect examples of what I’m talking about. Back in the day a young kid coming out of Pittsburg University, Tony Dorsett, was signed by the Dallas Cowboys. He signed at the time one of the wealthiest contracts in NFL history. He had a great career; leading them to multi-playoff seasons and two Super Bowl Titles. In the final year of his contract he was so far in debt to the Cowboys (reported to be in the excess of $400,000) he had to play that year “free” since no other team would trade for him. After that final year he was traded to the Denver Broncos, injured a knee and never played another down in the league.
The other case was J. R. Richard of the Houston Astros. He was their ace pitcher in the late 70’s who led them in almost every category; wins, complete games, victories, strikeouts, etc. After his playing days he was found living under a highway overpass. He was the toast of Houston; the man who had made millions was now destitute. Unable to handle his millions he lived in homeless shelters until the story broke and Major League Baseball then took steps to help one of the finest players of all times. I’ve often wondered what’s happened to these one-time heroes.
I raise this issue because many of these very same men being courted by professional teams will also fall prey to swindlers that’ll do everything possible to cheat them out of every cent they make. I’d like to use Peyton Manning as an example of what today’s modern athlete should strive to emulate. He had fame before stepping onto a collegiate field. He didn’t want to be compared to his very famous father so he enrolled at Tennessee. He was also tempted to come out early and sign for millions of dollars. As we all know he stayed in school, got his degree and has become one of the finest players to ever don an NFL uniform. He’ll soon sign a new contract that’ll make him the highest paid player in the entire history of the league.
I’m not about to say every player that stays in school will have his success. But the odds are that those smart enough to get an education will be better prepared to invest their money wisely and be financially secure long after their playing days are well behind them. A long stay on the “Big Stage” is never a guarantee when you’re talking about a 300lb. linebacker slamming you to the ground. Even on carpet there’s nothing for sure, no matter how thick the padding!
Sadly to say I believe some agent has told Steven Ridley that his future is paved in gold. That’s hardly the case when talking about the ex-Tiger running back. Yes he does possess the ability to break one or two runs for long gains but he doesn’t have the maturity or the skills needed to be a prime-time player. It’s called “seasoning” and one more year in purple and gold will enhance the skills he’ll need to be a first stringer.
Injuries are part of the game and when he mentioned a fellow player that broke his collar bone then fell in the draft, it’s that doubt he’s got in his mind that’ll keep him on special teams. Mr. Ridley needs to be well informed that EVERY running back in the NFL has his basic skills so I doubt he’ll be setting any new rushing records for quite a while. I wonder if he remembers another fellow ball carrier named Billy Sims.
Before I signoff can I ask if anyone has seen the new dollars being paid to NFL owners from the various television networks? Everyone is well aware the CBA with the players expires in March yet the 32 emperors will be paid by ESPN an astonishing $1.1 BILLION PER YEAR for the next three years, although the actual amount will be closer to $2 BILLION a year!! DirecTV is paying $1 BILLION a year until 2014. Fox, CBS and NBC will also be anting up another $2 BILLION a year.
These amounts are contained in the NEW contracts just signed by these parties. The wording has also been changed to “payments are guaranteed for the first year, 2011, even if there’s a WORK STOPPAGE”. Pay close attention to the NEW words, WORK STOPPAGE. Nothing in the contract defines STOPPAGE. Both parties agree that even a LOCKOUT will be considered a WORK STOPPAGE!! Even though every contract for the past seventeen years has a clause stating the “owners MUST negotiate (make an effort in good faith) to MAXIMIZE REVENUE FOR PLAYERS” there’s nothing in these new contracts to pay any player, ONLY THE OWNERS!!
Gonna be a LONG, rough off-season,
Til next week… …
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DENHAM SPRINGS HS FOOTBALL RADIO BROADCASTS ARE A JON FINE PRODUCTION ON FAMILY RADIO, 91.9 FM, BATON ROUGE and JonFineProductions.com.
JON IS THE OWNER OF AN EBAY STORE. ArrestedDevelopmentMediaGuides, SELLS SPORTS PUBLICATIONS. YOU CAN LINK TO IT BY VISITING JonFineProductions.com.
JON IS PROUD TO WORK AS A MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE FOR SPORTSRADIO-1310-KEZM-SULPHUR/LAKE CHARLES.