Segments from The Next Rage- April 20, 2010

Listen to our conversations about the NBA and Big Ben:

Eastern Conference Preview

Western Conference Preview

Big Ben, little Santonio and Impactful trades

Help Me Pick the Premise of My New Show

I've been blessed to be presented with an opportunity to host a radio show on Radio Sandy Springs. I have been charged with the duty of coming up with a number of ideas for show premises. This is where you all come in. You are the people who would be listening to my show (some of you anyway.) Please review these ideas and give me feedback. Most importantly, let me know, which show you can imagine hearing on the radio.

Sports Show Ideas:

History of Sports- Those who don’t study history are doomed to repeat it. This is no more prevalent than in sports where time and time again the lessons of yesterday are seen today in intriguing ways. Why do Heisman Trophy winners struggle in bowl games? Has there ever been such a disparity between NFL have and have-nots as there was in 2009? Is Jay Cutler the second coming of Jeff George? All these questions will be answered during this show through our look back at sports past. We will also have our weekly Top 5 of all time, Weekly Great Debate, question of the day and finish it all off with who’s Now, who’s Next and who’s History.

Beneath the Surface- Not just the score, this show will look deeper to examine the trends, themes and issues that permeate behind the headlines. We will talk about the underlying issues prevalent in the stories you read daily as well as trends and concepts that will make you say “hmmm, never thought about that.”

Old School/New School- The sports landscape is ever changing and many fans have a point of view that reflects it. However, there are a large number fans who hold on to what’s tried and true about sports and see new points of view as fading trends. Who’s right? This debate show will go through every sports topic of the week and determine if a seasoned point of view or “innovative” thinking is more sound. Segments include, Dr. Old School/New School, where we fix a series of sports patients and Buy or Sell.

Comparison Shop- We will take on ten intriguing sports comparisons and debate them throughout the show. For example, a show on the first week of January would discuss, the worst PR Moves by a CFB coach (Urban Meyer or Mike Leach), NFL Top seed in worst shape (Indy or New Orleans), team in the best shape after a 9-7 finish (Atlanta or Houston) better NFL pro (Eric Berry or Ndamakang Suh) and worse loss for Georgia Tech (bowl loss to Iowa or basketball loss to UGA.)

Sports Money and Marketing Show- An in depth look at the business of sports, how stars are made, sustained and broken and how advertising, sponsorship, and event promotion affect the sports we watch. It will also look at creative and successful promotions and discuss why they work. Ever wondered why we watch certain sports and not others or why certain stars outshine others, this show will provide answers.

HBCU Sports Show- This show discusses the games, players, coaches and traditions that make sports at Historically Black Colleges and Universities unique. It will be a weekly update of HBCU sports happenings and a way for alumni to connect with their schools. The show will feature the HBCU Top 10, the game of the week as well as interviews with HBCU newsmakers.

Sports Lite- Not everything in the sports stratosphere is serious; this show will prove it. Sports Lite will feature discussions that we all have about sports that don’t always make the light of day. If you are into the Nick Saban-like stoicism or ESPN faux-epic building of lesser sports than you probably won’t like this show. If you like to poke fun at people who take themselves entirely too seriously and get facts from the sports world to support our point of view, this is the show for you. Segments include Press Conference highlight of week.

Sports MythBusters- Every sports fan knows that there are many perceptions and myths that over the years become perceived truths. This show looks to take the theories that have permeated the sports landscape and use facts, figures and discussion to either validate or debunk them. Do running backs break down after 30, what’s college football’s best conference, what sport has the best athletes and more. We will also talk about trends in sports and what you can expect on the field each season.

 

Lane Kiffin- Idiot or Genius

"Singing Rocky Top all night long after beating Florida." Exposing "recruiting violations" and all the other things that have become legend in terms of the faux-rivalry between Tennessee and Florida come to fruition today as the Vols take on Florida in the swamp.

The assumption is that Meyer (who's not playing today), Tebow and the crew are going to unload an epic load of whoop ass on the Vols. And this is probably true, but here's something to think about.

When have we ever talked about a game, even a confernce rivalry, between a top-ranked team and a team that's rebuilding. This is the equivalent of this type of attention being paid to a USC/Arizona match-up or a Texas/Kansas match-up. Interesting, but not must see TV. People are waiting anxiously to watch the orange-clad gladiator get fed to the blue lions. And that's where Kiffin's genius (even if accidental) comes in.

If Florida wins by 60 points, it's a victory, but if they when by 30, it was expected. If they win by 20, more points were expected. It's a let down if they win by less than 20. And if Tennessee somehow wins? They really will sing "Rocky Top" all night. Essentially, Kiffin and the Vols can't lose. Unless they lose by 60 that is. All the pressure is on Florida to be the 1,000-pound gorilla they are supposed to be. That pressure is not on USC against Washington today.

So I don't know if this all part of the master plan for Kiffin, but he may have lucked into a nationally televised game in which all the expectations are on the other side.

Saturday Sports Day- 091209

Not too much to report.

-Florida cranking up on Troy during monsoon season in Gainesville. 35-3 at the halftime.
-Wake Forest trying to climb back in the game. Now down 17-10 to Stanford.
-Fresno St. is up 21-17 on Wisconsin. Things aren't looking the best for Bret Bilema.
-And then Wisconsin struck down with a 72-yard touchdown by John Clay.

College Football Saturday 090509[2]

Tenn. vs. Western Kentucky- Tenn. is making a statement right now driving for a TD to go up 56-7 at the top of the fourth quarter.
(later)They finished them off with another TD to win 63-7. 160 yards for Hardesty.

Navy at Ohio St.- Navy had a chance to win with an interception and a TD run by Ricky Dobbs of Navy. However Brian Rolle, OSU, intercepted a two-point conversion and returned it for two points, ending the scare. Final- Ohio St.- 31, Navy- 27

College Football Saturday- 090509

Ohio State v. Navy- Terrelle Pryor with a great slant pass to Sanzenbacher for a TD. Not a huge deal, but boy is it great to see college football again.

- The triple option is got to be one of the most exciting offenses to witness. It always looks a little out of control.

-Navy carves up the Buckeyes on the first drive and gets a 17-yard touchdown from Ricky Dobbs.

Tennessee v. Western Kentucky- Tennessee has fumbled the ball away twice. They don't look particularly good. However, defense got two straight sacks.

Minnesota v. Syracuse- Greg Paulus hits Mike Williams on a 29-yard TD pass. His first collegiate TD. End of 1st. Quarter- Minn- 14, Syracuse- 10

End of 1st. Quarter- Tenn. -0, W. Kentucky- 0

My College Football Picks- 090409

Alabama vs. Va. Tech- Let's make this clear. Va. Tech is not Clemson, so don't expect them to catch the beatdown that the Tigers got in this game last year from Bama. However, with eight starters returner on defense and a freshman starting at running back for Va. Tech, the Hokies are going to have a hard time scoring. The Tide has enough offense to get over the top.

UGA at Oklahoma St.- The Cowboys' high powered offense vs a resurgent Bulldog defense. Both teams have a lot to prove. Kind of a "loser leave town" match. I think this will be a great match-up but I give the slight edge to the home team. I expect big things from Kendall Hunter and Zac Robinson. Dez Bryant doesn't always show up in big games but that can always change. Tough spot for Joe Cox's first start.

BYU vs. Oklahoma- Max Hall is great. And Jermaine Gresham isn't playing today. With that said, expect the Sooners to roll. Big. Huge day for Sam Bradford and Demarco Murray.

Miami at Florida State- What was once a tremendous rivalry has been reduced to an afterthought in the busy opening week. Miami has more brute talent than Fla. State but the Noles have more experience and a comparable amount of talent. They are also at home and have a defense that can get at Jacory Harris, not to mention an O-line that will protect Christian Ponder and open holes for Jermaine Thomas. FSU will take the first step up in the race back to prominence.