by Tom Weppel
Random thoughts from a cluttered mind...
After a win against the Tampa Bay squad, the Jaguars now continue their road trip as they head to New Orleans to play the upstart Saints in the Superdome. Jack Del Rio was unusually pleased with the win last week. I think it’s because, in so many cases, a team that comes off a big-time loss has no ability to bounce back and get things rolling. Obviously, after the Colt loss, that was a concern of the coaching staff. But the Jaguars were able to do so, against a team that had not lost at home all year. So, give Del Rio and his boys credit for the win, especially with so many back-up players providing key roles.
With that said, the Jags must now take on a Saints squad that has won their last three in a row. These guys, who were in the NFC Championship game last season, are playing good football. Once again, the Jags have a tough opponent and an interesting situation on their hands to deal with. Also, realize this is a franchise that Del Rio played and coached for and with. Plus, his wife is from New Orleans. So, the ties are strong.
Meanwhile, did anyone tell Quinn Gray that his receivers weren’t ten feet tall! His throws were consistently high in that Tampa contest and its ridiculous, really, for a back up NFL QB not to be able to get the ball to open men down the field. Sure, you can give me all the hype you want about the Jaguars being a grind-it-out, running ball club. But please! Do NOT ignore the fact that they simply have a shoddy passing game!
I’m sure we’ll see Quinn Gray once again in the saddle, as David Garrard continues to nurse his ankle sprain. We shall see if the guy can make an accurate throw to an open receiver.
After a tough loss last weekend here in Jacksonville to the Georgia Bulldogs, the Florida Gators must now regroup and get back into the swing of the SEC as they host Vanderbilt. The Commodores are not an easy team to mess with and the Gators must continue to deal with the shoulder problems of their QB, Tim Tebow. I also think Gator fans must come to the realization that their school and team is NOT going to be a National Champion again. They were able to bask in the glow for quite a while, and now they must move to the side and let someone else go for the crown.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs and their fans went absolutely crazy here in J’ville after their win at No-Name Stadium. Their goal was to restore the rivalry, and perhaps they have done that in pulling out their win. Georgia will host Troy this weekend.
There are other games of note on Saturday. Florida State, a team that has dropped off their high perch in college football prowess, now must head north to take on the #2 Boston College Eagles. That could turn into a nasty scrap for the ‘Noles. Steve Spurrier is still hurting from his OT loss last weekend in Tennessee, and now he must go to Arkansas to play the Razorbacks. But the real SEC fire on Saturday will be in Alabama, where the Tide, led by their head coach Nick Saban, will entertain the LSU Tigers, a team that Saban formerly coached to a National Title. That game will be even nastier than the Iraq War!
Along with Boston College, there are still three teams with no losses. Top-ranked Ohio State will host Wisconsin, Kansas will host Nebraska, and Arizona State will go to Oregon to play the Ducks, trying to keep their record unblemished. And finally, I give you Notre Dame, who will be desperately searching for their SECOND win, hosting the Naval Academy.
Every Saturday morning on ESPN, there is a live program entitled ‘College Gameday’. It is hosted by Chris Fowler, former Ohio St. QB Kirk Herbstreit and former coach Lee Corso. The show travels to various college campuses each week where it features hundreds, if not thousands, of screaming, crazy, idiot fans waving ridiculous signs. We also see cheerleaders, bands, and whatnot. The show has become quite popular, especially with the college crowd, who will always seem to venture to the site to wave a banner or sign of some kind, thinking they simply MUST be on TV. I think it’s pathetic that ESPN is allowing all this to occur while we try to listen to the three hosts give us pertinent information about the college game. Now, maybe I’m just getting old and too mature, but you simply CANNOT tell me that it is entertaining to see!
In fact, I think its safe to say that the ridiculous camaraderie has reduced the show to a complete circus. Anything said in regards to any football games has lost its meaning and importance. Perhaps Fowler, Corso and Herbstreit should consider this and mention something to ESPN to change the background scene just a tad, so we can actually LISTEN to what’s being said.
The NBA regular season cranked up this week. Once again it seem as if this is a long, marathon schedule that is never-ending, in some respects. One item of note has been the continuing saga of Kobe Bryant and his situation with his current employer, the Lakers. It seems Kobe is not happy with the fact that the team doesn’t have the talent and roster that is capable of winning in the Western Conference. It has been rumored, on and off, since last season that Kobe wants to be traded. This kind of deal doesn’t do anyone any good at all. It makes no sense to come out with stupid remarks against your team, coach, or owner, whether its Kobe, or Phil Jackson, or owner Jerry Buss.
The one guy I give credit to is GM Mitch Kupchak, who has most likely tried his best to make everything work for everyone’s benefit. Alas, things have stayed the same. And so we shall see how long Bryant will stay in Los Angeles. We shall also see how long he keeps his mouth shut.
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