Brett Favre showed up at the Minnesota Vikings traing facility to meet with the organization to discuss the possibility of his return. In a scene right out of the O.J. white Bronco drama, Vikings cladded fans lined the streets to get a glimpse into the black BMW with tinted windows. Tweets, Facebook posts and text messages clogged cyber space from the Mall of the Americas to Bristol, Conn.
This after 3 players flew down to Mississippi to sway the long time gunslinger to return for one more run at the Super Bowl.
In a league full of drama queens, Favre holds the trophy.
Hey Vikings, have you NO shame?!
Where is your manhood?!
I haven't seen a guy chased by other guys like this since I unwittingly stumbled onto the wrong street during Southern Decadance week. Brett must feel like the lead queen at the Madri Gras drag ball.
"Now Brett, you know we cannot perform at full capasssity without you leading usth with your manly slapsss on our tushies"
"Coach has made usth all get mani-pedis to prepare jusths for your arrival"
"Pleeeeease Brett", holding his leg as he tries to walk away, "we promise, you won't have to rehearse". "Just show up and give it up like the Brett we know"!
"I dunno,boys", chaw juice dripping down his chin. "My ankle just won't do raight"...spits..."sides, dares sum armadillas running free on myland dat need shootin and my pick up needs a good washin"
"No Brett!" "Don't say it!" " Don't even think it!" "Tevaras can't throw like you, and Sage always cracks under pressure!" "NO, it MUST be you or we're not leaving"
"Ok boayz", hands on hips and looking up to the sky,squinting and speaking just above a whisper, "I'll come up, but I cain't promise nuttin. I'm just commin ta taulk. Don't getcha hopes up, but we'll see"
So up he came. All those Vikings boys are partying. The fans are making plans to be in Dallas in February.
But wait.
He's only here to "talk".
He wants to be courted harder.
He hasn't heard enough grovelling. He wants big time pimpin. He wants Zygi Wilf on his knees in the "we're not worhting" position.
Thats when he'll agree to play then reveal...
"Jus kidd'n, I was coming back all along...gotcha"
The teams exhaults in cheer and joins for a group hug.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Saban owns Miles...again!
When LSU head coach Les Miles made the announcement at the 2007 Bayou Bash, "we now have a rivalry, f***ing Alabama", the crowd at the event went crazy. Apparently then newly hired Alabama head coach Nick Saban, the target of Miles' angered testimony, went a little crazy as well. Seems he took Les up on that challenge and has set to beat Miles at every turn since. Except for 2007 in Tuscaloosa, this has been no rivalry. Saban has owned Miles. I mean OWN! Hands down, papers in hand, has the deed to prove it own! Although the games played between the two teams have been
competitive, Saban has taken 2 out of 3.
But the real beat down has been in recruiting.
It started the same year of Miles' declaration.
In 2007 DE Luther Davis went on national TV at the US Army all-star game and donned an LSU cap as he commited to the Tigers in front of the whole world. Weeks later he went on a weekend visit with Saban. He is now the starting DE for Alabama.
In 2008, Kenny Bell, a highly touted WR from Rayville,LA, committed as a junior to LSU for the 09 class. Just before signing day, Bell visited Saban for a last minute recuiting trip just to check it out. He is now a redshirt freshman battling for a spot on the 2-deep depth chart for...Alabama.
Same class, Darrington Sentimore from Narco, LA, a DE from Destrehan High School narrowed his choice for college ball between LSU and Saban U...winner?..'Bama.
The same can also be said of Dutchtown RB Eddie Lacey from Geismar,LA. He is the now #3 RB on the depth chart behind Heisman trophy winner Mark Ingam and sophomore phenom Trent Richardson( more on Richardson later). Normally #3 is not the ideal place to be, but considering how much Saban relys on the running game, Lacy figures to see quality playing time this season.
Miles does no better with national recruits either. There have been national prospects on LSU and Saban U's collision course as well. Saban has landed every, not some, every one. Trent Richardson was considered an LSU lean throughout the 2008-09 recruiting season, after a weekend visit, Saban swayed the gifted RB to wear the crimson and white. Dre Kirkpatrick had LSU as a finalist for his services, he's currently the #1 CB for the Tide. Why?..Saban.
The latest chapter in this want-to-be rivalry is the announcment today of Tampa,FL 4 star QB Phillip Ely. He will play his college ball at Saban U. Up until the announcement LSU was considered the odds on leader for the elite 11 QB. They were in on him early. Were the first major college program to offer. They kept in constant contact with the QB who has lost zero starts in his high school career. They were one of only three schools thought to even be considered by Ely. Clemson and Ole Miss being the other two. Two nice programs but not on LSU's caliber. Maybe.
"About 4 weeks ago, Saban and I talked and he laid it all on the table for me with an offer," said Ely(pronounced e-lee). "Once I got that offer, I pretty much knew where I wanted to go. This really is a dream to play for a school the caliber of Alabama."
I stand corrected. LSU is the same caliber as Ole Miss and Clemson now that Miles has full rein of the program. A nice place to consider until the real programs come calling.
In fairness, Miles has landed some impressive recruits. He has been top 10 in all but 1 recruiting class since becoming LSU's coach. But I combed the LSU depth chart and for the life of me I can't find one player Saban U really coveted. Nor can I find any player from Alabama that Saban sought.
As for the rivalry? F***ing Alabama has dominated. Actually dominate is not a strong enough word. What word would be more powerful than dominate?...
Owned sounds about right.
competitive, Saban has taken 2 out of 3.
But the real beat down has been in recruiting.
It started the same year of Miles' declaration.
In 2007 DE Luther Davis went on national TV at the US Army all-star game and donned an LSU cap as he commited to the Tigers in front of the whole world. Weeks later he went on a weekend visit with Saban. He is now the starting DE for Alabama.
In 2008, Kenny Bell, a highly touted WR from Rayville,LA, committed as a junior to LSU for the 09 class. Just before signing day, Bell visited Saban for a last minute recuiting trip just to check it out. He is now a redshirt freshman battling for a spot on the 2-deep depth chart for...Alabama.
Same class, Darrington Sentimore from Narco, LA, a DE from Destrehan High School narrowed his choice for college ball between LSU and Saban U...winner?..'Bama.
The same can also be said of Dutchtown RB Eddie Lacey from Geismar,LA. He is the now #3 RB on the depth chart behind Heisman trophy winner Mark Ingam and sophomore phenom Trent Richardson( more on Richardson later). Normally #3 is not the ideal place to be, but considering how much Saban relys on the running game, Lacy figures to see quality playing time this season.
Miles does no better with national recruits either. There have been national prospects on LSU and Saban U's collision course as well. Saban has landed every, not some, every one. Trent Richardson was considered an LSU lean throughout the 2008-09 recruiting season, after a weekend visit, Saban swayed the gifted RB to wear the crimson and white. Dre Kirkpatrick had LSU as a finalist for his services, he's currently the #1 CB for the Tide. Why?..Saban.
The latest chapter in this want-to-be rivalry is the announcment today of Tampa,FL 4 star QB Phillip Ely. He will play his college ball at Saban U. Up until the announcement LSU was considered the odds on leader for the elite 11 QB. They were in on him early. Were the first major college program to offer. They kept in constant contact with the QB who has lost zero starts in his high school career. They were one of only three schools thought to even be considered by Ely. Clemson and Ole Miss being the other two. Two nice programs but not on LSU's caliber. Maybe.
"About 4 weeks ago, Saban and I talked and he laid it all on the table for me with an offer," said Ely(pronounced e-lee). "Once I got that offer, I pretty much knew where I wanted to go. This really is a dream to play for a school the caliber of Alabama."
I stand corrected. LSU is the same caliber as Ole Miss and Clemson now that Miles has full rein of the program. A nice place to consider until the real programs come calling.
In fairness, Miles has landed some impressive recruits. He has been top 10 in all but 1 recruiting class since becoming LSU's coach. But I combed the LSU depth chart and for the life of me I can't find one player Saban U really coveted. Nor can I find any player from Alabama that Saban sought.
As for the rivalry? F***ing Alabama has dominated. Actually dominate is not a strong enough word. What word would be more powerful than dominate?...
Owned sounds about right.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Les gets me again
So it's early August.
Monday night.
I'm in position in front of my beloved Sony 46", flippin the remote, supper is still dancing in my stomach. I see that two of my favorite shows are on at the same time, Last Comic Standing and America's Game. It doesn't even concern me that the Mets and Braves are going at it on ESPN. What do you want from me? I'm from the south. I'm from the Louisiana south. Baseball? Call me in October.
So I'm flippin between sets of LCS and the White Album of AG, "Missing Rings", the story of the 1998 Minnesota Vikings. The most compelling episode of this epic series. Chris Carter is money! John Randle makes you want to cry...and I HATE the Vikes!
Then the unthinkable! Commercials are runnning at the same time! Thinking on my butt, quickly I flip to ESPNews.
There's Kirk Herbstreit opining on who should be ranked preseason #1 in college football. OMG! TV is rollin' tonight!
As he finishes, the screen cuts to a list of the scheduled games on ESPN/ABC for the weekend of Sept 4: "USC v Illinois kicks it off Thursday night", the anchors voice is heard. "The weekend continues with Notre Dame vs Purdue, then the BIG one...Boise St vs Virgina Tech!"
Seems innocent enough until you realize that on the screen also happens to be the Chic-fil-A Kickoff Classic...LSU vs North Carolina.
No mention. Not even skimmed over. Not even as an after thought.
Sad as it is to admit, the anchor is correct. Boise St. vs. Va Tech IS the big one of the weekend. They are preseason ranked # 4 and 10 respectfully.
This is just another reminder of where LSU head coach Les Miles has taken his program. In year 6, Miles has managed to reduce the football team to just an incidental game, not even worthy of mention, on a list of "big" games to kick off the season.
Thinnk about it. Just three years ago LSU was headlining ESPN's football promotions. They had a legit Heisman Trophy candidate in DT Glen Dorsey, were fresh off a Sugar Bowl trouncing of hated Notre Dame, returning a ton of NFL caliber talent and had a 5th year QB, understudy to the first pick in the 2006 draft tutored by nationally respected offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher.
Today?..."oh the other game on the schedule, sorry, to insignificant to mention".
Suddenly, I got that sinking feeling in my already queezy stomach. The same one I had after Les' SEC Media Day performance. "I like my team". "I look forward to competing". "We are now working on clock management in practice"
Les, you did it to me again, without even being on the screen.
It's enough to ruin an early August night of television.
Monday night.
I'm in position in front of my beloved Sony 46", flippin the remote, supper is still dancing in my stomach. I see that two of my favorite shows are on at the same time, Last Comic Standing and America's Game. It doesn't even concern me that the Mets and Braves are going at it on ESPN. What do you want from me? I'm from the south. I'm from the Louisiana south. Baseball? Call me in October.
So I'm flippin between sets of LCS and the White Album of AG, "Missing Rings", the story of the 1998 Minnesota Vikings. The most compelling episode of this epic series. Chris Carter is money! John Randle makes you want to cry...and I HATE the Vikes!
Then the unthinkable! Commercials are runnning at the same time! Thinking on my butt, quickly I flip to ESPNews.
There's Kirk Herbstreit opining on who should be ranked preseason #1 in college football. OMG! TV is rollin' tonight!
As he finishes, the screen cuts to a list of the scheduled games on ESPN/ABC for the weekend of Sept 4: "USC v Illinois kicks it off Thursday night", the anchors voice is heard. "The weekend continues with Notre Dame vs Purdue, then the BIG one...Boise St vs Virgina Tech!"
Seems innocent enough until you realize that on the screen also happens to be the Chic-fil-A Kickoff Classic...LSU vs North Carolina.
No mention. Not even skimmed over. Not even as an after thought.
Sad as it is to admit, the anchor is correct. Boise St. vs. Va Tech IS the big one of the weekend. They are preseason ranked # 4 and 10 respectfully.
This is just another reminder of where LSU head coach Les Miles has taken his program. In year 6, Miles has managed to reduce the football team to just an incidental game, not even worthy of mention, on a list of "big" games to kick off the season.
Thinnk about it. Just three years ago LSU was headlining ESPN's football promotions. They had a legit Heisman Trophy candidate in DT Glen Dorsey, were fresh off a Sugar Bowl trouncing of hated Notre Dame, returning a ton of NFL caliber talent and had a 5th year QB, understudy to the first pick in the 2006 draft tutored by nationally respected offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher.
Today?..."oh the other game on the schedule, sorry, to insignificant to mention".
Suddenly, I got that sinking feeling in my already queezy stomach. The same one I had after Les' SEC Media Day performance. "I like my team". "I look forward to competing". "We are now working on clock management in practice"
Les, you did it to me again, without even being on the screen.
It's enough to ruin an early August night of television.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Uh-oh
Being an avid follower of then NFL since the age of 7, of all the things that make it great to me, number one is tradition. If your reading this, you're likey a football fan too. Being one, you know that the NFL and it's glorious past is shrowded in such images of those black and white footage reels from NFL films. From George Halas, co-founder of the league and long time owner/coach of the Chicago Bears pacing the sidelines in black frame glasses, trenchcoat and fedora to Vince Lombardi chastizing his players, "justabunch of grabbowskies out dare... grabbin...no tacklin!...grabbin!" Gale Sayers gliding past the outstrectched arms of sliding defensive players on a snow muddied field to Tracey Porter slamming the door on the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV. Tradition has been the glue holding it all together.
An important traditon in the NFL is the hierachy of veterans to rookies. Inside that traditon is the hazing of rookies durinig training camp. Every rookie who has played the game has experienced some kind of hazing at least once. It's a right of passage. The stories are legendary. Taping to the goalposts, wild goose chases. "Hey rook, sing your college fightsong". "Hey rook, bring donuts to the meeting" "Hey rook, carry my shoulder pads"...(cut to the sound of screeching brakes).
Until now.
Uh-oh!
Dallas Cowboys number one draft pick, WR Dez Bryant from Oklahoma St. refused to participate. Asked to carry his shoulder pads by fellow WR Roy Williams, Bryant refused, saying, "I came here to play football, not carry someone's shoulder pads."
That sound you just heard were the collective horrified gasps of Jerry Jones, Wade Phillips and the entire Cowboys nation like George Cosatanza in the "shrinkage" episode.
Uh-oh.
Now, for any rookie this would be a red flag. But for Bryant, this is a red banner. A red strobe light of blinding brilliance.
For this is THE Dez Bryant who followed two highly productive seasons in Stillwater by being stripped of his eligibilty the second half of his junior year for improper associations with former NFL player Deion Sanders. A move that cost him millions due to his drop in draft stock. Under Armour has dropped what was going to be a big time endorsement deal negotiated by his marketing reps.
Now every sports media oulet has converged on this story like Lindsey Lohan's perp walk to prison.
Uh-oh.
Bryant's reputation for being a troubled and arrogant college player has now slivered it's way into his NFL image. In one practice he has sealed all of the doubt skeptics had about his maturity and demeanor.
His new teammate's suspicion about this potential prima-donna has been solidified. "We just got rid of T.O. now here comes D.B?!"
Uh-oh.
Guys like Ole Dez just can't help it.
His type come along every so often (Chad Ochocinco anyone?). They think THEY are bigger then the game. They can't understand how the game has prospered so long without them.
They have no sense of tradition.
Ironic, because Bryant was given the hallowed number 88. A Cowboys tradition, the number of WR greatness passed down from legends Drew Pearson and Michael Irvin.
The funny thing is, all this could have been avoided...
Just carry the damn shoulder pads!
Curse, rant, bitch all the way, but JUST carry the friggin pads!
Cowboys fans...
Uh-oh, indeed.
An important traditon in the NFL is the hierachy of veterans to rookies. Inside that traditon is the hazing of rookies durinig training camp. Every rookie who has played the game has experienced some kind of hazing at least once. It's a right of passage. The stories are legendary. Taping to the goalposts, wild goose chases. "Hey rook, sing your college fightsong". "Hey rook, bring donuts to the meeting" "Hey rook, carry my shoulder pads"...(cut to the sound of screeching brakes).
Until now.
Uh-oh!
Dallas Cowboys number one draft pick, WR Dez Bryant from Oklahoma St. refused to participate. Asked to carry his shoulder pads by fellow WR Roy Williams, Bryant refused, saying, "I came here to play football, not carry someone's shoulder pads."
That sound you just heard were the collective horrified gasps of Jerry Jones, Wade Phillips and the entire Cowboys nation like George Cosatanza in the "shrinkage" episode.
Uh-oh.
Now, for any rookie this would be a red flag. But for Bryant, this is a red banner. A red strobe light of blinding brilliance.
For this is THE Dez Bryant who followed two highly productive seasons in Stillwater by being stripped of his eligibilty the second half of his junior year for improper associations with former NFL player Deion Sanders. A move that cost him millions due to his drop in draft stock. Under Armour has dropped what was going to be a big time endorsement deal negotiated by his marketing reps.
Now every sports media oulet has converged on this story like Lindsey Lohan's perp walk to prison.
Uh-oh.
Bryant's reputation for being a troubled and arrogant college player has now slivered it's way into his NFL image. In one practice he has sealed all of the doubt skeptics had about his maturity and demeanor.
His new teammate's suspicion about this potential prima-donna has been solidified. "We just got rid of T.O. now here comes D.B?!"
Uh-oh.
Guys like Ole Dez just can't help it.
His type come along every so often (Chad Ochocinco anyone?). They think THEY are bigger then the game. They can't understand how the game has prospered so long without them.
They have no sense of tradition.
Ironic, because Bryant was given the hallowed number 88. A Cowboys tradition, the number of WR greatness passed down from legends Drew Pearson and Michael Irvin.
The funny thing is, all this could have been avoided...
Just carry the damn shoulder pads!
Curse, rant, bitch all the way, but JUST carry the friggin pads!
Cowboys fans...
Uh-oh, indeed.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Carrolling Past the Graveyard.
The recent events that occurred at the University of Southern California got me thinking. The same USC that was handed some of the stiffest penaties a big time football progam has receiced in years. Probation for 4 years, 20 lost scholarships, no bowl games for 2 years and the forfeiting of wins from the 2004 season. Plus, USC returned to the Downtown Athletic Club the Hesiman Trophy won by running back phenom Reggie Bush. AND , they also disassociated themselves from Bush as a public purging of their soul to the college football gods. It is also expected that the DAC will request that Bush return his Heisman.(we used to call that "indian giving" back in the old politically incorrect days of my youth).
Why all the fuss?
Because Reggie Bush allegedly received illegal cash payments from an agent. An agent whose feelings were hurt deeply when Bush dumped him for a more savvy agent upon his departure from USC.
What got me thinking was former USC head coach Pete Carroll. He was the man in charge of the USC football program when all of this took place. The one whose responsibilty it was to protect the young men who signed with the program while under his watch (at least I'm told that's what the coaches tell the parents of these players). The same Pete Carroll that bolted from the program when it looked like such events were about to unfold. Did he get a heads up from someone in the know at the NCAA? We'll never know. But we do know this.
While USC received those stiff penalties, Reggie Bush was publicly humiliated , stripped of his Heisman, and Athletics Director Mike Garett was fired, Pete Carroll was long gone to the NFL. Rewarded to the tune of 5 years at $33 million. Thats $33,000,000 and control over football operatoins of the Seattle Seahawks.
Huh?!
Wait! Surely, this is a joke! How can this be?
I'll tell you how.
You see, in the NCAA, coaches are allowed to leave for greener pastures. It doesn't matter if that coach was in charge of a program who now must pick up the pieces of the mess he left. He is free to pursue other opportunities, including the NFL and even another college job. All this without the penalty that his departed school received, which he caused or had a hand in causing.
Players, on the other hand ,are restricted to stay at the college they signed or face sitting out one year as a penalty for transferring. They are allowed to transfer without sitting out only if that program goes on probation. It's like in the movie "Good Fellas".
If a player has a change of heart? Tough. Sit out! Gets beat out and prefers to go to a school he feels gives him a better chance to play? Oh well. Sit out! Maybe a family member is sick or even dies,.Too f**ing bad! Sit!
But Carroll gets to start over with no penalty, in fact, rewarded ,as his former program fries.
My dad had a saying when someone "skates" by out of trouble. "He's just whistling past the graveyard". As in, "he just got away with murder when everyone else involved fried"
Or in this case, Pete is just Carrolling past the graveyard.
Why all the fuss?
Because Reggie Bush allegedly received illegal cash payments from an agent. An agent whose feelings were hurt deeply when Bush dumped him for a more savvy agent upon his departure from USC.
What got me thinking was former USC head coach Pete Carroll. He was the man in charge of the USC football program when all of this took place. The one whose responsibilty it was to protect the young men who signed with the program while under his watch (at least I'm told that's what the coaches tell the parents of these players). The same Pete Carroll that bolted from the program when it looked like such events were about to unfold. Did he get a heads up from someone in the know at the NCAA? We'll never know. But we do know this.
While USC received those stiff penalties, Reggie Bush was publicly humiliated , stripped of his Heisman, and Athletics Director Mike Garett was fired, Pete Carroll was long gone to the NFL. Rewarded to the tune of 5 years at $33 million. Thats $33,000,000 and control over football operatoins of the Seattle Seahawks.
Huh?!
Wait! Surely, this is a joke! How can this be?
I'll tell you how.
You see, in the NCAA, coaches are allowed to leave for greener pastures. It doesn't matter if that coach was in charge of a program who now must pick up the pieces of the mess he left. He is free to pursue other opportunities, including the NFL and even another college job. All this without the penalty that his departed school received, which he caused or had a hand in causing.
Players, on the other hand ,are restricted to stay at the college they signed or face sitting out one year as a penalty for transferring. They are allowed to transfer without sitting out only if that program goes on probation. It's like in the movie "Good Fellas".
If a player has a change of heart? Tough. Sit out! Gets beat out and prefers to go to a school he feels gives him a better chance to play? Oh well. Sit out! Maybe a family member is sick or even dies,.Too f**ing bad! Sit!
But Carroll gets to start over with no penalty, in fact, rewarded ,as his former program fries.
My dad had a saying when someone "skates" by out of trouble. "He's just whistling past the graveyard". As in, "he just got away with murder when everyone else involved fried"
Or in this case, Pete is just Carrolling past the graveyard.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Miles' trends like Coker's
Trends.
In 2001 Larry Coker was in his first year as the head coach of the University of Miami, FL, football team. He was celebrating their first National Championship since 1991 and their 5th overall. In 2002, the head coach of the same team this time mourned the loss of their 6th title try, this after winning 23 consecutive games as head coach of the Canes. Coker's first loss in two seasons as head coach was the 2002 BCS title game...With previous coach Butch Davis' recruits.
In 2006 Larry Coker was fired as head coach of the Canes.
Why?
How could this be?
This coach was fired after posting a 60-15 record?! He was 2-1 in BCS bowl games! 4-2 overall in bowl games! Yet, he was canned?!
Why?...
Trends.
Larry Coker's Canes were trending downard.
Consider. After winning 35 of his first 38 games, going 12-0,12-1, and 11-2. Coker was 33-12 over the next three seasons, posting records of 9-3, 9-3 and 6-6. More importantly, under his watch, Miami had gone from regaining the powerful image of "The U". Brash, intimidating and cockey. Back, simply, to Miami of Florida. Thus he was fired.
What does this have to do with LSU?
Trends.
On January 2, 2005, Leslie Edwin "Les" Miles was tagged to fill the unenviable void of the departed Nick Saban as LSU head football coach. He was charged with the caretaking of a program that had been rebuilt into a national power unlike any time in the previous 50 years of it's gloriuos history. A program reborn from one that had gone through a decade and a half of blundering coaches, unprecendented losing seasons, heartbreaking losses and oh too few flashes of brilliance.
Miles would inherited an embarassment of rich football talent, worthy of 5 number 1 draft choices, including 3 top 10 picks. QB's,RB's,WR's, DL's and OL's. You name it and not one position had a vacuum of 4-5 star recruits.
Miles' first season produced a 10-1 record and winners of the Western Division of the SEC. Losing only to Tennessee on a Monday night just weeks after Katrina. The season ended with a Chic Fil-A Bowl 40-3 thrashing of the Miami Hurricanes (coached by Coker). A # 5 ranking in the final polls.
Year 2 was 10-2 and a Sugar Bowl victory. A #3 ranking in the final polls.
Year three produced one of the most memorable seasons in NCAA history. Highlighted by 5 fourth down conversions in route to an epic 28-24 win over defending BCS champion University of Florida and their electric Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow.
However, LSU wasn't the same team after that game. The next week saw LSU lose an overtime game to Kentucky, blowing a two score lead in the 4th quarter. A close call to Auburn followed by a season ending defeat at the hands of the infamous "AR-Kansas" Razorbacks in overtime, at home,with a chance to clinch a BCS title game birth.
After wishng to the nation "have a GREAT day!", then winning the SEC Championship game without starting QB Matt Flynn, the football gods smiled gracefully on Miles and the Tigers as the stars aligned and hell froze over. LSU claimed the title birth that seemed all but lost the week before. The Ohio State University fell to another SEC team and LSU was crowned BCS champions.
Les Miles had compiled a 34-6 record, 19-5 in SEC play in his first three seasons at LSU...with Nick Saban's talent.
In the two season's since Saban's recruited players have moved on and Miles' coaching stamp has been put on the program, LSU is 17-9, 8-8 in conference play. Including 1-7 record against Alabama, Arkansas, Ole Miss and Florida. Oh, by the way, Nick Saban has sinced returned to the SEC, at F***ing ALABAMA!
Trends.
One can certainly say that LSU is trending downward under Les Miles. Well I certainly am.
As you loook at the paralles of coaches Coker and Miles, I have one question. When would you have fired Coker? At 60-15 , certainly the critics were all over Miami for doing it. Well, it's been 3 season's since Coker has been fired and Miami is still trying to recover from his ineptitude. Still haven't regained "The U "status.
Les Miles' overall record at LSU is impressive at 51-15 on the surface, but the trending of last two seasons show no signs for optomism. This is year 6 of the Les Miles era at LSU. Trending downward in the SEC is not where you want to be in year 6 of your program. One more season trending down and Miles will join Coker in the ex coaches fraternity who possess "unfireable" records. Why?...
TRENDS!!
Especially since Nick Saban's Alabama Crimson Tide, coming off their first title since 1992 is trending upward...like a bullet!
In 2001 Larry Coker was in his first year as the head coach of the University of Miami, FL, football team. He was celebrating their first National Championship since 1991 and their 5th overall. In 2002, the head coach of the same team this time mourned the loss of their 6th title try, this after winning 23 consecutive games as head coach of the Canes. Coker's first loss in two seasons as head coach was the 2002 BCS title game...With previous coach Butch Davis' recruits.
In 2006 Larry Coker was fired as head coach of the Canes.
Why?
How could this be?
This coach was fired after posting a 60-15 record?! He was 2-1 in BCS bowl games! 4-2 overall in bowl games! Yet, he was canned?!
Why?...
Trends.
Larry Coker's Canes were trending downard.
Consider. After winning 35 of his first 38 games, going 12-0,12-1, and 11-2. Coker was 33-12 over the next three seasons, posting records of 9-3, 9-3 and 6-6. More importantly, under his watch, Miami had gone from regaining the powerful image of "The U". Brash, intimidating and cockey. Back, simply, to Miami of Florida. Thus he was fired.
What does this have to do with LSU?
Trends.
On January 2, 2005, Leslie Edwin "Les" Miles was tagged to fill the unenviable void of the departed Nick Saban as LSU head football coach. He was charged with the caretaking of a program that had been rebuilt into a national power unlike any time in the previous 50 years of it's gloriuos history. A program reborn from one that had gone through a decade and a half of blundering coaches, unprecendented losing seasons, heartbreaking losses and oh too few flashes of brilliance.
Miles would inherited an embarassment of rich football talent, worthy of 5 number 1 draft choices, including 3 top 10 picks. QB's,RB's,WR's, DL's and OL's. You name it and not one position had a vacuum of 4-5 star recruits.
Miles' first season produced a 10-1 record and winners of the Western Division of the SEC. Losing only to Tennessee on a Monday night just weeks after Katrina. The season ended with a Chic Fil-A Bowl 40-3 thrashing of the Miami Hurricanes (coached by Coker). A # 5 ranking in the final polls.
Year 2 was 10-2 and a Sugar Bowl victory. A #3 ranking in the final polls.
Year three produced one of the most memorable seasons in NCAA history. Highlighted by 5 fourth down conversions in route to an epic 28-24 win over defending BCS champion University of Florida and their electric Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow.
However, LSU wasn't the same team after that game. The next week saw LSU lose an overtime game to Kentucky, blowing a two score lead in the 4th quarter. A close call to Auburn followed by a season ending defeat at the hands of the infamous "AR-Kansas" Razorbacks in overtime, at home,with a chance to clinch a BCS title game birth.
After wishng to the nation "have a GREAT day!", then winning the SEC Championship game without starting QB Matt Flynn, the football gods smiled gracefully on Miles and the Tigers as the stars aligned and hell froze over. LSU claimed the title birth that seemed all but lost the week before. The Ohio State University fell to another SEC team and LSU was crowned BCS champions.
Les Miles had compiled a 34-6 record, 19-5 in SEC play in his first three seasons at LSU...with Nick Saban's talent.
In the two season's since Saban's recruited players have moved on and Miles' coaching stamp has been put on the program, LSU is 17-9, 8-8 in conference play. Including 1-7 record against Alabama, Arkansas, Ole Miss and Florida. Oh, by the way, Nick Saban has sinced returned to the SEC, at F***ing ALABAMA!
Trends.
One can certainly say that LSU is trending downward under Les Miles. Well I certainly am.
As you loook at the paralles of coaches Coker and Miles, I have one question. When would you have fired Coker? At 60-15 , certainly the critics were all over Miami for doing it. Well, it's been 3 season's since Coker has been fired and Miami is still trying to recover from his ineptitude. Still haven't regained "The U "status.
Les Miles' overall record at LSU is impressive at 51-15 on the surface, but the trending of last two seasons show no signs for optomism. This is year 6 of the Les Miles era at LSU. Trending downward in the SEC is not where you want to be in year 6 of your program. One more season trending down and Miles will join Coker in the ex coaches fraternity who possess "unfireable" records. Why?...
TRENDS!!
Especially since Nick Saban's Alabama Crimson Tide, coming off their first title since 1992 is trending upward...like a bullet!
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