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SportsGumbo.net Newsletter
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THIS WEEK’S BROADCASTING SCHEDULE:
MONDAY-FRIDAY, 8AM-9AM: SPORTSGUMBO (sports talk show)
Internet: SportsGumbo.net
Radio: KKAY, 1590AM, River Parishes/Baton Rouge…ESPN, 1560AM, New Orleans..
KEZM, 1310AM, Lake Charles—Jon Fine, Jason Van Buskirk, Olin Berthelot
THURSDAY, 7PM—8PM: THE High School Sports Show (from Fox’s Pizza Den)
Internet: SportsGumbo.net Radio: The Score, 1210AM, BR—Jon Fine, Robbie
Harrison, Steve Johnson, Chris Ledoux
FRIDAY, 7PM: Denham Springs HS at Live Oak HS
TUESDAY, 7PM: Denham Springs HS vs. Scotlandville HS
Internet: SportsGumbo.net Radio: The Score, 1210AM, BR—Jon Fine, Jim McChristian
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FINE IDEAS
By Jon Fine, Producer, SportsGumbo.net
Can the Who Dats advance to the Super Bowl? 5 of the keys that one might look at in assessing Sunday’s Saints-Vikings NFC championship:
1. Mature Middle-Aged Man?...Brett Favre has had his best year, statistically, in the NFL. The biggest reason is that his interceptions are in single digits. Even in his heyday, Favre was always good for 15 or 16 picks a year, sometimes getting into the 20’s. Why is Favre so good at 40? He’s a freak. He’s healthy. He has a great system to fit him. He probably has the best 10 players surrounding him in his whole career. And maybe the biggest reason, he still is improvisational, but, perhaps, he’s smarter—football wise--than he has ever been. Yet, he’s not invincible. It was only one game, but when the Arizona Cardinals beat Green Bay in early December, it brought back memories of what many thought was a declining Favre of the prior 2—3 years. (Of course, the last 2 weeks, Arizona’s defensive geniusity (sic) was nowhere to be found!). So, Mr. Gregg Williams, Saints Defensive Coordinator/Mad Scientist, it is up to you to somehow dial up (hate that cliché…what did coaches do before they “dialed up” game-plans?) a strategy to render Favre a mere mortal. And one more thing, Mr. Williams, you have to do this without allowing Adrian Peterson to run for 250 yards.
2. Have 5 or 6 occasionally make Drew Dirty…Drew Brees is having one of the more remarkable years in the history of the league. I’m not sure how to quantify it…well let me try…Has there ever been a quarterback as good as Drew Brees in 2009—working offensive wonders--without a 1,000 yard running back? One does come to mind. Drew Brees in 2008 (when the Saints didn’t have a 1,000 yard receiver either)! Like Favre, though, Brees is not infallible. The team that gave Brees and the Saints there biggest problems was the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas was able to effectively rush 4 (and sometimes 3) much of the time and get pretty constant pressure on the quarterback. They challenged the Saints to beat them underneath. Most of the time, until things clicked for New Orleans late in the third quarter, the Cowboy were able to pretty much bottle up the Saints offense.
So, the challenge against the Vikings is to make sure that if the Vikings decide to rush just 4 with, arguably, the best defensive line in football—Kevin Williams (an Oklahoma State player under Les Miles), Pat Williams (a Monroe native), Jared Allen (if he played with the Saints in his early days, sales would have gone up 10% on Bourbon Street…he’s reformed now and might be the best DE in the league) and the unsung Ray Edwards—the Saints keep Brees clean. Force the Vikings to rush a 5th or 6th man. If this happens, sure, the Vikings will sometimes harass Brees, but I bet you Brees will have a field day in systematically picking apart the Vikings defense. Obviously, establishing the run against perennially the best rushing defense in the league (but without E.J. Henderson, see below), will aid and abet the Saints cause.
3. Make The Statistics That Might Matter Matter
First off, what doesn’t matter:
--Irrelevant Stat#1: Since the new 12 team playoff format implemented by network television stations (and the NFL) in 1990, only 3 times have the 2 top seeds advanced to the Super Bowl. So, with AFC #1 seed Indianapolis being a lock against the Jets (in my opinion), that means the Saints should be in a lot of trouble? Give me a break. Who in their right mind would think that the Saints would be better off as a number 2 seed, playing in Minnesota, as to not defy the statistical gods. This is an anomaly. All it points out is the “parity” that does exist in the NFL. But, on Sunday, you better believe the Saints should be glad they’re a #1 seed, playing on Poydras Street.
--Irrelevant Stat#2: The Saints have never played in the Super Bowl. So what? Different team, different organization, Archie Bunker’s role is to drink cocktails and cheer when his kicker misses a field goal. This is Payton’s Place now!
Similarly, does it matter that the Vikings have been to the Super Bowl 4 times previously? Again, not germane to Sunday’s game. Bell Bottoms and Lindsey Nelson jackets were in style the last time the Vikings played in a Roman Numeral Game (1976). The Vikings, by the way, lost in all four of their Super Bowl appearances.
--Irrelevant Stat#3: The Vikings have had the Saints number throughout the years. Whether it’s the Saints first ever playoff game, when the heavily favored Saints, at home, got blistered by the Vikings 44-10 in 1987…to the Saints getting throttled in 2000 by the Vikings 34-17 in the second round of the playoffs…to last year’s prototypical SOS (Same Ole Saints) loss to the Vikings on MNF, where the Saints, as usual, found a way to dominate an opponent, yet invariably snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in losing 30-27…to the overall 18-7 series record the Vikings enjoy over the Saints, THE BEST RECORD ANY TEAM HAS AGAINST THE SAINTS IN THE NFL ….Minnesota has been a constant thorn in the Saints sides. Thankfully, for Saints fans, this stat has no meaning whatsoever. As stated above: Different year, different teams, different circumstances. Really, not a factor at all.
--Stats That Hopefully Matter For Who Dats #1: The Vikings have not been a good road team this year. Like the Saints, Minnesota has a pronounced “Dome Field” advantage. On the road, it’s a different story. This regular season, Minnesota was 8-0 at home, 4-4 on the road. Especially brutal were losses at Carolina and Arizona. Does this guarantee a Saints victory. No. But, maybe it could substantiate how important that unlikely Week 15 Vanderbilt-inspired Chicago victory over Minnesota (see SPORTSGUMBO.NET NOTES, 12/30/09, archived at SportsGumbo.net, click Newsletter) might loom in the Saints journey to the promised land. This game, more than any other game that the Saints or Vikings played this year, took this NFC Championship game to the Dome, sending the Vikings on the road, where they are a .500 (albeit regular season) team in 2009.
--Stats That Hopefully Matters For Who Dats#2: Brett Favre struggles in Domes. You can look it up. Favre becomes an average quarterback, statistically, and win-loss wise, when playing in Domes (the MetroDome—or whatever it is called now--this year not included of course) in his career. Why? No idea. Possible theories?: The suffocating noise?—Wouldn’t think so. The turf making it a faster game?--Maybe. But, this is something to consider as you look at this weekend’s match-up. Saints fans can only hope that this is, in fact, a meaningful stat.
4. Pay Reggie Bush $280,000…Last Saturday against Arizona, Reggie Bush, for one of the few times in his pro career, consistently looked like the player he was at USC. So, Sean Payton, since you’ve shown a propensity for handing out $250,000 this year (as you did in chipping in part of your salary to secure Gregg Williams as your Defensive Coordinator), it’s time to ante up and up the ante. You need to do whatever you can to create the most favorable conditions for Bush--those similar to the ones he experienced at USC. Bush, as you know, most probably received $280,000 from an agent/suitor while performing for the Trojans. Sean, fork out the 280K. Maybe Reggie will play for the second straight week like he did when he was back in college! Who knows? Maybe this time Reggie will allow you to be his agent—unlike the last time he allegedly received this amount of loot. If not, you can always join the present lawsuit against Bush in the off-season.
Have I lost my mind? No, in a sarcastic way, I’m pointing out that if Bush can duplicate last week’s performance, you have to like the Saints chances. Conversely, if Bush is given more snaps this week than usual, which one would imagine would be the case, his proclivity to fumble could really bite the Saints in the derriere.
What’s really interesting is that the Vikings star running back, Adrian Peterson, has had, by his standards, a very average year. Most alarming to Vikings fans, he has had major fumble problems.
The Vikings have a bevy of consistent big-time playmakers: Favre, Peterson, Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin, Jared Allen, to a certain extent Antoine Winfield. The Saints: Brees, Darren Sharper, Marques Colston to a certain extent. That’s it. Yeah, a lot of this has to do with Brees, as mentioned above, spreading the wealth. Yet, if Bush can step up like he did last week, and not turn the ball over, this could very much balance the scales. In what could very readily shape up to be a very close game, an electrifying play or 2 by Bush could spell the difference between Who Dat Heaven and SOS Hell.
One more thing, Coach Payton…If you’re going to pay Bush 280K and he does perform like he was at SC, make sure that if the game comes down to the deciding offensive play, unlike Pete Carroll in the Rose Bowl against Texas in 2005 when Lendale White played while Reggie Bush sat (actually stood next to Carroll), make sure you do put Bush in the game!
5. Is Jasper a Ghost?...Some of you LSU fans might remember that South Carolina had a terrific twin tandem of defensive front 7 players named Casper Brinkley and brother Jasper Brinkley. Well, Jasper was a fifth round pick of the Vikings in 2009. With E.J. Henderson going down to injury and out for the year, Jasper Brinkley is the Vikings starting middle linebacker. Henderson has been described as the “Jonathan Vilma of the Vikings”. He was that important. A veteran. A team leader. He called the signals. He made plays.With Pat Williams and Kevin Williams bottling things up in the middle, Henderson would make lots of tackles.
I loved Jasper Brinkley at South Carolina. Even think I remember his number—52. He was an impact player in college. I thought he’d be great at the next level. He still might. Not this year though. He’s really struggled. In addition to some other defensive injuries, the loss of Henderson and the sub-par play of the young Brinkley was, perhaps, the biggest reason why the Vikings struggled down the stretch. Well, Pat Williams, Kevin Williams and Antoine Winnfield are now healthy. But, Brinkley is still a huge question mark. One would imagine that Sean Payton (and Drew Brees) will look to attack #54 (his pro number) and expose him as a bewildered rookie as often as possible.
Does Brinkley step up? Or, does he live up to the nickname of his brother (Casper the Ghost). Jasper Brinkley’s performance, more so than any of the other 43 players in the starting line-ups, could have the biggest impact on who goes to the Super Bowl.
So, Who Dat Sey Dey Gonna Beat Them Saints? If 3 or 4 of these keys work in the Saints favor, it probably won’t be the Vikings. Which will lead to 1 final question: Any Who Dats Up For a 2 Week Party on South Beach beginning this Sunday night?!!
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For More FINE IDEAS disguised in THE VOICE OF THE FAN, please see my response to Dick from Baton Rouge’s letter below. The subject? Lane Kiffin.
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I said I’d address LSU AD Joe Alleva’s letter to LSU football fans in this week’s column. Due to space restrictions, we’ll do that in a subsequent FINE IDEAS.
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FINE MUSINGS
Was wondering if recently signed Deuce McAlister was going to join the broadcast booth on last Saturday’s Saints-Cardinals game. Then, it could have been Moose, Goose and Deuce on the call….Can someone explain to me Tony Siragusa’s (Goose’s) role on NFL broadcasts? Sort of reminds me of the Hoss Cam on Saints pre-season games of 10 or so years ago…Speaking of 10 or so years ago, for those Saints Haters nostalgic for the good old days, remember when the Saints best free-agent pickup on the team was Fetch Master—the dog who ran on the field to fetch the tee—whom the Saints procured from the Houston Oilers? Sort of a precursor to Darren Sharper? (lol)…Was I imagining this, or was there actually a fan who had a sign at the Dome last week that said: “Excellence Starts At The Top. Thanks, Mr. Benson”. I’m a First Amendment guy, but that sign needed to be confiscated…So, Mark McGwire admits he used steroids. What a revelation. What’s next? OJ admitting he killed Nicole?...Good to see Andre Dawson get into the Hall of Fame. Brings back memories of 1980, with the Hawk, Ellis Valentine and Ron LeFlore (an ex-con on the straight and narrow) forming one of the better 1-year outfields in major league history …Congrats to THE High School Sports Show and Central HS Basketball broadcast sponsor Les Hunt of Hunt’s Tire and Car Care, to be inducted into the (Baton Rouge) Redemptorist HS Hall of Fame this Saturday night. Howard Carter, Derrick Taylor, Sid Edwards…and now Les Hunt! You go Les!!...Bob Wales may be on his way out as Principal at Central High School. Rumors are running rampant that after his sterling color commentary on the Central-Walker broadcast on Tuesday night, ESPN just may be calling! Bob’s co-agents, Jerry “Show Me The Money” Maguire and Jimmy Sexton (Nick Saban’s representative) are reportedly in heated negotiations with ESPN as you read this…Why is everyone down on LSU basketball this year? Only 2 teams in the city of Baton Rouge can beat them: Baton Rouge Community College and Scotlandville HS. Nah, make that 3. Forgot about LSU Women’s Basketball. Sorry, Tasmin.
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WIZARDRY OF OS
By Scott Osborne, Color Commentator of Central HS Football on SportsGumbo.net
Sports fans never learn. I guess that’s what makes so many people into “die hards.” Recently, I have heard things that just do not make sense. I have heard these thoughts many times in the past, and they have been wrong over and over again. Yet, some people still swear by these claims.
Claim #1: Team A will definitely win because they are playing their best at the right time. Plus, team B is playing their worst so their season is over. I have heard those claims for a month referring to the Saints and Colts as team B, and the Cowboys and Chargers as Team A. The silly part about this form of thinking is to think that professionals give a hoot about such things. One of the many qualities that make those players so great is that they stay confident even when things are not going well (one exception is kickers). This confidence is why so many wait too long to retire.
Furthermore, it blows me away that everyone spends so much time worrying about who is playing the best going into the game that they ignore so many other factors. It seems to me that injuries, home field advantage, match-ups, turnovers, and the battle at the line of scrimmage have been the factors that have decided every NFL playoff game to date. Yet, just wait until the NCAA basketball tournament and you will hear about how you should pick your bracket based off of who has the most momentum going into the Big Dance (do not listen!)
Claim #2: Team A won the BCS one year earlier than they were suppose to, so they will win back to back next year. This claim was made last year for Florida, and this year is being made about Alabama. Alabama might win it again next year, but people do not realize how one or two players can make a huge difference. Look at the difference Percy Harvin made in Florida’s offense. The same may happen for Alabama’s defense without Rolando McClain.
Claim #3: We should be excited about LSU for next year because of the great recruiting class. What utter foolishness. This year’s class may help in two or three years, but study your history. The problem of getting true freshman or even redshirt freshman to perform at a high level under Les Miles is not new or a one year problem. Quick, name the last LSU football player to make the SEC All-Freshman team (and no cheating with google like I did). Patrick Peterson? Good guess, but no! You would have to go back 3 years to 2007 to discover the names Terrance Tolliver and Chad Jones. As a point of comparison, in the last three years LSU has had three, Alabama 10, and Florida 10 on the All-Freshman Team. So, I hope you will excuse me if I vomit the next time I hear someone talking about how exciting this year’s class is or especially the class for next year. Maybe that would be exciting for next year at Florida or Alabama, but not LSU.
Finally, I freely admit that predictions are difficult, and nothing more than a guess. Yet, I was correct in predicting the Saints would beat Arizona though I thought it would be much closer (my actual number was 10). Domination at the line of scrimmage, on third down, and in the turnover battle will lead to a blowout every time. This week is an incredible challenge for the Saints. I am so glad the NFC Championship game is in the Superdome. I still think the Saints formula to victory is a good running game and turnovers from the defense. I find it difficult to think with my head since my heart is beating so hard (and kickoff is a long ways away). I’ll take the Saints by 10 (worked last week)…black and gold Super Bowl here we come! Who Dat!
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HEY REF
By Dennis Dearie, Veteran Louisiana High School Referee
Johnny “B” wrote in and asked “Why is it in the N.F.L. a pass interference (Def.) penalty is marked at the spot of the interference”. To keep this simple and direct; first thing the professional game is not a game. What you see in the N.F.L. is an exhibition, not a game/sport. These are professional athletes; it’s a job not a game. The N.F.L. is all about entertaining their fans. Every year they do their best to write rules that favor more scoring; it keeps fan’s interest longer. By keeping the fan’s interest longer sales of burgers, drinks, and so on continues. T.V. ratings stay higher if more sets are tuned into the game. In other words, their “game” is strictly governed by the almighty dollar. College ball, even though played by supposed armatures, is also under the pressure of ever increasing revenue. Yet, those that write rules for the NCAA have to factor in player safety and a more even flow of the game. So, some restrictions on the enforcement of penalties have to be leveled out by the wording of the rules. Penalizing the interference from the line of scrimmage is less advantages and not left open to an official’s interpretation. In high school games, safety is also a major factor, but using the “KISS” (keep it simple stupid) rule is the best approach considering the sheer number of schools that will be affected by rule changes. Also with college and high school “new” fans are made each year due to graduation so entertainment is not the number one factor when considering rules. One other question was the “one foot versus two feet” rule when concluding if a pass is complete or incomplete. Again, in the pros the players work at their position full time versus a part-time amateur. One rule change in the N.F.L. addresses the airborne receiver. The old rule was if, in the official’s eye, he could’ve come down in bounds except for the hit by the defense then the pass is complete. Now, the official’s judgment is not a factor. A defender can carry a player to the sideline and deposit him out of bounds. The pass is therefore “not complete”. I like the change since it pits player against player. And it “entertains” the fans. We’ll also try to answer any basketball questions you might have. Just send them to HeyRef@SportsGumbo.net.
THE VOICE OF THE FAN Dick From Baton Rouge: Question for discussion-What has Lane Kiffen ever done to warrant all this attention? He’s never shown anything other than mediocrity as a head coach and, as best I count, he was Southern Cal’s fifth choice. ************************************************************************ Caught the tail end of your show today. If you and Bobby think living in LA is better than living in Baton Rouge or Knoxville, Delta is ready when you are. I read the other day that California is about to become the first State to become legitimately bankrupt, and businesses and entrepreneurs are leaving the State in droves because of the unfair tax structure. English has become the second language because they are totally overrun by illegal aliens and are going broke providing services to these people instead of prosecuting them and shipping them home. Also, the cost of living is out of sight in LA compared to BR or Knoxville. Taking it one step further, why would a college football coach want to be in LA instead of Baton Rouge or Knoxville? In the South the State U football coach can get elected Governor if he’s willing to take the pay cut. In LA they’re so eaten up with pro sports, one of the top college football programs of the decade can’t even fill its stadium.
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EDITOR: Lane Kiffin has attracted attention somewhat peripherally, genetically and bombastically. While on Southern Cal’s staff (01-06), the Trojans had record-setting offenses. They also had 3 Heisman Trophy winners and a multitude of offensive weapons, largely deployed by offensive genius Norm Chow. Although Kiffin should get credit for the work he did as offensive coordinator at SC in ’05 and ’06—after succeeding Chow, who left for the Tennessee Titans, Kiffin did enjoy an embarrassment of offensive riches, a system left in place by Chow and notable assistance from Quarterbacks coach Steve Sarkisian. Kiffin is the son of long-time defensive guru Monte Kiffin, the Saints Defensive Coordinator in 1995. There’s no doubt that Lane benefited being around college and pro football his entire life. Yet, until he proves otherwise, there is no doubt that Kiffin became head coach of the Raiders (07 and part of 08) and the Tennessee Volunteers (09) largely because of his last name. That his father joined him as Defensive Coordinator at Tennessee certainly helped Kiffin’s application in Knoxville. Why did USC hired him? They do know him. His father is part of this package deal. And, even if they are SC alums, there was no way that NFL head coaches--Jeff Fisher (Tennessee Titans) or one-time Saints linebacker Jack Del Rio (Jacksonville Jaguars) would leave there positions for the land of Troy. Also, Mike Riley—maybe the nicest man in sports--quickly leveraged the USC job opening into a 3-year contract extension at Oregon State. So, quite often, as we’ve seen in year’s past at LSU, there are unrealistic expectations people have about prospective candidates for a head football coach opening. As a Head Coach, Kiffin was 5-15 with the Raiders, 7-6 with the Volunteers. Unimpressive. Although, in fairness to Kiffin, the second coming of Vince Lombardi would have a hard time winning at Oakland with Al Davis as owner. What has drawn the most attention about Lane Kiffin nationally? As head coach of the Volunteers, he came off as an idiot. He waged nonsensical verbal warfare against schools, much of it against Florida, and then often had to backtrack when it was proven that there was no substance to his accusations/allegations. He then rationalized his behavior, claiming he was trying to get Tennessee publicity. Ironically, while spouting off at others, Kiffin was embroiled in his own share of NCAA irregularities at Tennessee.
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Neither (caller) Bobby (from Baton Rouge) nor I ever said we’d rather live in Los Angeles than Baton Rouge or Knoxville. What I believe I stated, and Bobby agreed with, is that if you asked most “stud” high school football players where they’d rather go to college, in Los Angeles, Baton Rouge or Knoxville, it would be a battle for second place between Bayou Land and Rocky Top. (Important caveat: that’s my evaluation of what I feel high school blue chippers think, not what I think…and what they think about the cities, not the universities or the football programs in those cities.) Almost lost in your xenophobic ranting are some very valid points about the negative aspects of Los Angeles. Yet, to counter one claim you make, I believe English is often a second language in Louisiana as well. And, if you don’t believe me, all you have to do is listen to the orations of Les Miles or some (past and present) Louisiana sports-talk hosts. Would a football coach rather be at USC as opposed to LSU or Tennessee? Certainly, all things being equal, there is a heck of a lot more coverage/exposure/interest/scrutiny at SEC powers than in schools that are in “pro towns”. Whereas LSU and Tennessee are top guns in their cities (and in their states…unless their NFL team starts 13-0 and is 1 win away from appearing in the Super Bowl), USC does have to play second fiddle to the pros. Again, all things being equal. When USC dominates college football, as they did for much of the past decade, they get top-billing in Los Angeles—the second largest city in the country. With the heightened importance in one-horse sports towns, yes, you can become King of the State. But, a few slips, and you’re easily dethroned. Maybe more so in a Baton Rouge or Knoxville than in a “pro town”. Ask Phillip Fulmer. Re-visit the departure of Chollie Mac. The seat is getting hotter and hotter for The Hat. Bottom-line, though, all three jobs—LSU, Tennessee, USC—are pretty good gigs for a head football coach. You can win national championships at all 3 schools. In fact, these schools are so solid that 2 of them can win a championship in the same year—as USC and LSU did in 2003!
INTERESTED IN BEING READ IN “THE VOICE OF THE FAN”? KINDLY E-MAIL YOUR THOUGHTS TO JON@SPORTSGUMBO.NET.
SPORTSGUMBO.NET, THE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS SHOW AND SPORTSGUMBO RADIO ARE A JON FINE SPORTS PRODUCTION. FOR MORE INFO, PLEASE VISIT WWW.SPORTSGUMBO.NET
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Posted by: admin on Friday, January 29, 2010 - 08:23 AM
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