I feel great for the Baseball Vols. Get a series win against a top 5 Vandy team with a resounding 7-0 win yesterday at LNS. The Vols were really on the ropes and in danger of losing their 8th straight when the scratched out a 9th inning come from behind win on Saturday. These kids needed a break. Let's see if they can move the ball forward from here.
Vol Colonel continues to cover UT with the greatest of ease. The guy has unfettered access as he's at virtually every practice from beginning to end due to his standing as a big $$$ booster.
Vol Colonel
Here's a quick update from Saturday's scrimmage. Worley and Ferguson got the majority of snaps with the 1st and 2nd team. That's the same way it's been in the 1st half of practices leading up to Saturday and that might be a tell, because it was a very important scrimmage with only two practices before the Orange and White game. Worley was consistent Saturday and made some nice throws. Ferguson had some highlight type throws and threw a sweet 37-38 yard TD to Josh Smith. He also made some bonehead plays throwing a dumb interception that was taken back for a TD and he ran out of bounds in a situation that was the last play of the game. Butch ripped him a new one for that mistake.
The offensive line was horrible. And that doesn't do them justice. They didn't open up any holes and got dominated by the D-Line in run situations. The ends were in the backfield way too often. Both Marlin Lane and Jalen Hurd had bad days too. Then again, I don't know how much was them or how much was the O-Line. This O-Line scares me in terms of where they will be once the season begins. To be perfectly honest, they might be the worst I've ever seen around here. They have a long, long way to go. And I mean a long, long way to go.
Lavon Pearson had another big day. He reminds me of C.P. Pearson is a classic college football playmaker. He's great after the catch. He has all the moves!
One last thing here, while I'm thinking about how challenged this offensive line is. It sure as hell didn't help matters that dumb a** Derek Dooley didn't sign one O-Lineman in the 2012 class. I knew that was moronic back then, but its stuff like that has us in such a bad situation now. You should NEVER have a recruiting class in this league where you don't bring in some offensive linemen. Dooley was one dumb and stubborn SOB.
I Remain,
Your Vol Colonel.
Colonel. Mucho gracias amigo! Next round is on me!
Proving his range, Keith Hatfield takes a break from his Hatfield Hoops Report for a look at WrestleMania XXX last night in New Orleans. And yes, Keith is presented today by Springs Dock Resort.
Hatfield on WrestleMania XXX
'Since a large portion of the audience finds tonight's NCAA title game unpalatable, I'll go in a different direction today. For one entry, Hatfield on Hardwood is converted to Wrestlemania Recap. Last night saw WWE's creative team begin the process of launching a new era. Here are the highs and lows from a night that elevated several of the new
generation of superstars to top of the card status.
Highlights:
1. Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and The Rock kicking off the show was a smart move to get the crowd rolling immediately. Hogan inadvertently creating comedy by stating it was great to be in the Silverdome was classic. Austin still has the charisma that sold millions of t shirts. Rock remains one of the all time greats on the mic.
2. Daniel Bryan and HHH put on a great exhibition of old school wrestling. It was the kind of match fans of the NWA saw throughout the '70s and '80s. Of course,
I must admit I was a bit distracted during this one. Stephanie McMahon's legs had me mesmerized.
3. Antonio Cesaro is now officially ready for the big stage. His performance in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal removed any doubt. It is time to move him back into full time singles competition. The Real Americans gimmick has run its course.
4. The shock value of Brock Lesnar breaking The Streak was off the charts. While I would have rather have it been ended by someone who has shown more commitment to the industry, it was time. Undertaker looked like a shell of the performer who electrified crowds for the better part of two decades. He appears to have little left in the tank.
5. Daniel Bryan running the gauntlet and winning the title was the right play. Sometimes you just have to give the fans what they want. I'm not a huge fan of Bryan's. That said, he's the one who has the crowds on their feet these days.
Lowlights:
1. The Shield is the modern Freebirds. Having them jerk the curtain against three guys who have long since seen their better days was terrible booking. It was the equivalent of having The Who open for The Dave Clark Five. Here's hoping that was a one time lapse in judgment.
2. Having John Cena stop just short of being consumed by darkness was timid storytelling. I realize it would take some creative thinking to have a guy who is the face of many of the WWE's charitable efforts booked to join Bray Wyatt in the abyss. That, however, is what they pay writers good money to do. That feud could be so much more with a little courage in the storyline.
3. The Divas match killed an already tepid crowd. There are only two or three of them who can actually wrestle. The rest serve the valuable purpose of supplying eye candy. It's a wise course of action to play to their respective strengths and not try to make them something they are not.
4. Dave Batista's presence is always a lowlight. He has the charisma of a snail and makes Sid Vicious look like Dory Funk in the ring. The decision to bring him back was dubious. Allowing him to remain at the top of the card would be insanity.
Keith'
Keith, I've got to get in a few retorts here. Firstly, Stephanie McMahon? Is there a part on that child that isn't bought and paid for. Other random thoughts:
Was Hulk Hogan drunk last night? I certainly hope so.
I usually despise HHH but last night's match stole the show.
Cesaro needs to get some kind of Russian alliance going. He could pull this off too.
Brock Lesnar is so boring. It's a shame he gets to be the guy that breaks the streak.
John Cena's many flirtations with the dark side are great business. Because he doesn't give in, Cena remains a great foil for the haters and a tremendous conduit who sells tons of merch to the little kiddies!
The Divas. AJ Lee can wrassle. Who else can wrassle in the ranks of the divas? BTW, Derek Dooley would be a great WWE Diva. Couldn't you see him on that stupid reality show protecting his turf from Natalya?
Couldn't agree with you more about Batista. That guy is completely boring and a total zero. In fact, Batista and Lesnar ought to have a bore off.
All in all I'd give Mania 3 1/2 out of 4 stars. That was money well spent by the wrasslin' fan.
Here's Hogan flubbing the Superdome line.
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Perhaps you thought it was foolish when I started predicting Tennessee for an Elite Eight appearance a month or so ago. Look at how this year’s tourney has ended up. An 8 seed versus a 7 seed. Amazing. Tennessee could've gotten there this year. May have been their best chance in my 28 years here! All that's left is watching Kentucky or UConn cutting down the nets.
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Storylines for tonight's title game.
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If you gave me the first pick in the NBA Draft, I would have a tough time not taking Julius Randle. That guy is going to be a 15 year pro for somebody! Mark it down.
Speaking of top picks, people snickered when Mike Detillier told me Johnny Manziel would be the #1 overall pick to the Texans. He's not alone now. HOF writer John McClain is right there with him.
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Don Meyer continues to inspire as he fights for his life.
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Philadelphia. Where pitchers go to fall off the table. Pabelpon is next to join go to the Phillies pitching graveyard.
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NCAA Presidents believes the union model would 'blow up college athletics.' College athletics needs it the way these keepers of the flame have burned it at both ends.
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Are these people kidding? America is full of stupid people.
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RIP Mickey Rooney.
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Go UConn!
Tony
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