NFL Draft

Fanhouse offers a nice, safe mock. But is Franks from Oklahoma really a first-rounder?

Dawgs

The Sporting News has a profile of Geno Atkins in today's online edition. They rate him a second round draft pick in terms of potential, but say he may drop further because of his lack of size (286 pounds). They say he could take a year or two to develop NFL skills and add heft, but should emerge as a starter. Also, former Bulldog Patrick Pass is calling it a career because of a recurring turf toe injury. He's missed the last two seasons because of the injury.

NFL Draft

Rams look hard at taking Bradford. That's according to SI. Sure, why would they want to take the best DT to come out in the last 10 years? It's not like they need defense. It's not like these comments are sarcastic.
Take Suh!

Braves

Mark Bradley on the return of Glavine.

NFL Draft

An interesting mock although John Jerry in Round one seems insane to me. Terrence Cody at 10?

MLB

Jon Heyman assesses the off season. It has been "weird" he writes. Speaking of weird, Johnny Damon seems to have manuevered himself into a corner. The Braves apparently made an offer but Damon appears to be waiting on some other team to panic and give him more years and more bread.

Rams hire Cromwell

He was a terrific safety for the team when it was still in L.A. and he definitely has a strong resume. Jack Youngblood complained recently about the team's failure to take advantage of the "old Rams." Maybe someone was listening. Now if we can just hire Hacksaw and Deacon and Roman???

College football

A good column by Ivan Maisel on how college coaches routinely exceed the maximum number of recruits signed rule.

Martz in Chicago

The former Rams head coach has had a tough time staying employed since his dismissal in St. Louis. Then again the Rams have sucked since then too.
Martz has a veteran, talented quarterback in Jay Cutler and is saying all the right things now, but you have to wonder how long before he starts hinting about the wonderous attributes of backups Caleb Hanie and Brett Basanez. How much of this is an attempt at motivation/confidence building by Martz and how much is the coach showing off what a genius he considers himself is up to debate.
Martz will inevitably talk about using the tight end more -- he always does -- and then will ignore the position when scheming for the next game. However, he might work in a couple of tight end reverse running plays.
Martz did not have a good quarterback in either Detroit or San Francisco and his system didn't do too much to protect them either. The result was a lot of interceptions, which was Cutler's undoing last year.
For the Bears to find offensive success this year, they have to stabilize their offensive line and upgrade substantially at wide receiver. However, those things are hard to nail down in a single season and that may be just how long Martz and head coach Lovie SMith have to get things done.

1980 season still a big hit for Trion's Dan Logan

Here's a pretty good story about the pennant-winning 1980 Charlotte Orioles. Fun stuff.

Youngblood speaks ... so y'all shut up

Bernie Milasz interviews my all time favorite.

Rasslin'

Friends remember the late Jack Brisco. He was the champ when I was a kid. I thought of him as a gunslinger; he'd some into town just long enough to beat the local star. They'd send his brother Jerry in first to antagonize the audience. Jerry played the role brilliantly. I hated him. Here's some video of Jack versus Dory.

Dawgs

Recruiting class lacks star power. Losing Rogers to Tennessee stings, but I never thought the kid would make it at UGA anyhow. Too many ways for him to get into trouble. A usual, Georgia comes up short on the wide bodies, but we do tend to fatten them up in Athens. From the Banner Herald. ANd here's a sidebar about the late defections.

Trion native shares in Alabama national title

My story from The Summerville News

Senior Bowl

Georgia defensive tackles shine in Mobile. Owens and Atkins both played well and moved up in the eyes of NFL scouts. They can be productive NFL players, espcially Owens who has some pass rush explosiveness.