It's The Pants!

Yes, there was a missed kick. Yes, there were a couple of interceptions (underhanded Drew, really?). In fact, the hated rivals (I won't speak their name...ever) played an OK game. Indeed, by their lowly standard, they played the game of their life yesterday. But, friends, it was an unfair fight. We were not wearing proper uniforms. In fact, whenever we wear those *&%#ing-black leotard things, we take the field at a distinct disadvantage. It's as if we're playing the entire game waiting for our real uniform pants to finish drying.

This has gone on way too long. Do you realize the black pants debuted in the Ricky Williams era? He has since gone to Miami, smoked pot, moved to Canada, came back, quit football all together, only to come back again...and we're still wearing those same pants! Who can forget the sight of Aaron Brooks throwing his vaunted backwards pass (it would actually go backwards, and Deuce would have to run it down and fall on it) donning the no-stripe, black, stocking-pants?

And that brings up another point. All they have to do put a stinking stripe down the sides! I'm no fashion expert (though I am digging Project Runway again. Go Mondo! with your wacky wool tweeds and your gigantic head) but maybe gold would work. Yeah, maybe a gold stripe might be just what is needed. It would work great with the official team colors which happen to be BLACK and GOLD! Not to mention, our gold pants rock! We wore those gold pants through our entire playoff run and Super Bowl victory last season. We win with the gold ones. The black ones suck!.

It's time OK? Get rid of 'em, or put a stripe on 'em!

Dat's Beautiful!

Well, this awkward. I just came back from a consultation with my private jeweler (it could happen) with designs for my new Saints ring. I just sketched out a few ideas for him, "nothing flashy" I said, "just a few dozen diamonds, maybe a Fleur-de-lis.....be a doll and squeeze in the words 'World Champions'."
Imagine my surprise when I see this article, by Susan Langenhennig in the Times Picayune about the ring ceremony held Wednesday in New Orleans. Boy, do I have egg on my face. It's the exact same design!
My concern is for the "little people" who upon seeing my giant head and athletic physique will undoubtedly assume I am a Saints player, and then insist on buying me dinner and drinks. Of course, it would be rude of me to decline.
True story: that birthmark on Drew Brees' cheek...not a birthmark at all. He voluntarily marks himself with a Sharpie each day to help Sean Payton tell us apart. That, my friends, is what is known as a commitment to excellence!

Cajun Women Advance To Super Regional

Count me among Cajun fans that root, root, root for LSU...when they're winning; feel no lasting pain when they lose; and do back-flips of joy on the rare occasions they are beaten on the field by UL. I went to both schools, (though neither of them have erected a statue commemorating my attendance) and actually preferred my time at LSU. But, I'm a Cajun of the Ragin' variety deep down. That status was set in the stone of my thick head by one Dwight "Bo" Lamar, he with the mighty Fro, and deadly 30 foot jumper. And on the rare occasion he missed, Roy Ebron was there to rebound for him. The 70's might have sucked for the Beatles, but they rocked for me.

So, imagine the glee to be had with UL's 6-1 victory over Texas A&M this weekend to advance to the NCAA Super Regional, in of all places, Baton Rouge.

With the win, the Cajuns (45-16) clinched their second Super Regional appearance in the past three years before 1,642 at LSU's Tiger Park. They will travel to play No. 5 national seed UCLA (43-11) in a three-game series next weekend with the winner advancing to the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City.

Joshua Parrott wrote this article for the Daily Advertiser on the victory. Photo courtesy of RaginCajun.com

State Champs!

In a non-oil spill related story, St. Thomas More's Lacrosse team won it's first state championship yesterday, defeating New Orleans Jesuit 12-10.

Nathan Max, writing for Westsidelax.com, covered the game and quoted St. Thomas More coach Mike Guidroz:

“I can’t give enough credit to the kids for doing things the correct way for the last eight months,” St. Thomas More head coach Mike Guidroz said. “They played complete lacrosse. They played defense from the attack to the goal, and they played offense from the goal forward. Everybody was involved in the offense. Everybody was involved in the defense.”

Junior attackman Saban Sellers, senior attackman Joe Boustany and junior attackman Hunter Stinson all registered a co-team-high four points to lead St. Thomas More. Stinson, who came off the bench, was named the game’s offensive most valuable player. Defensively, junior goalie Andrew Broussard came up huge, saving 14 shots, and was named the game’s defensive most valuable player.

Other offensive contributors for St. Thomas More were junior middie David Escott, who finished with three points on a goal and two assists, and senior attackman Scooter Todd, who scored once.

Read more here.
Photo by berecruited.com

STM Hosts State Lacrosse Quarterfinals

State Quarterfinals for the Louisiana High School Lacrosse League will be held at St. Thomas More Saturday, April 24, 2010. The game features the West District Champions - St. Thomas More Cougars vs. Caddo Magnet and will start at 11:00 am at STM Cougar Stadium.

The winner of this game will advance to the “LHSLL Championship Weekend” to be held May 1 & May 2 at Pan American Stadium at City Park in New Orleans. See website here.

The Cougars come into the game touting a record of 18-4 and ranked # 2 in the state. This is the first time STM has hosted a state playoff game, making it the first time ever in Lafayette Parish.
STM Cougar Head Coach Mike Guidroz expects a battle. “We are honored to be hosting the state quarterfinal game this weekend. Caddo Magnet has a great Lacrosse tradition. It will be a huge challenge for our young team.”
For more information, contact:
Greg Gossen
greg@gochannelone.com
337-962-5430

Oh No!

Mike Triplet reported for the Times-Picayune that Drew Brees is a finalist to appear on the cover of EA Sports Madden 11 video game. This is not good! Many...and I mean many players who have appeared on the cover in past years have been injured and missed the entire season.

The most notorious examples were Detroit Lions tailback Barry Sanders in 1999 (abruptly retired before the season); Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick in 2003 (broken leg in the summer); Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb in 2005 (season-ending hernia); and Seattle Seahawks tailback Shaun Alexander in 2006 (broken foot).

I just finished getting Drew injury free through our Super Bowl season by ritualistic game day preparations, and conjuring. I kinda wanted to relax this offseason. But is he helping? No. He actually wants to be on the cover.

"You know what, I'm not rooting against it," Brees said, when asked about his hopes for the vote. "If it does happen, just like records are made to be broken, curses are made to be broken too. If the fans have spoken, if I am indeed their vote, then I'll do my best to break that trend."

Clearly, he's lost his mind. It's as if he doesn't believe in superstition at all. I'm gonna do what I can, but, he has to want to be helped....I can't do that for him.

Read the article here.

Photo by ian_ransley

New Saints License Plate in the Works

Representative Jeff Arnold of Algiers has introduced a new bill to create an official New Orleans Saints World Champions license plate. The bill has passed through committee and is moving on to the full House for debate. If all goes through, the new plate will be available on July 1 and will cost $28.50. The money raised will go to benefit parks, recreation and children's fitness programs. The Times-Picayune has a full report here and if you are into reading the actual bill, you can check that out here.

Good Luck Coach

UL will announce today at noon that they have hired a new basketball head coach, Bob Marlin. Marlin most recently led the Sam Houston State Bearkats to an overall record of 225-131 over the 12 years that he was there. The Tupelo, MS native has also been named 'Coach of the Year' twice by the Southland Conference and graduated from Mississippi State in 1981. To learn more about the new coach, you can see his bio page on the Sam Houston website here, and Joshua Parrot with the Daily Advertiser has a full story here.

I Almost Feel Bad For Them

I believe this is what the kids refer to as a FAIL. Or more accurately, an EPIC FAIL.
Saints 31 Vikings 28.

Wildcatters In Cajundome For '10 Season

Lexie Iskander posted this announcement on lafayettewildcatters.com

The Lafayette Wildcatters is proud to announce that the team has made an agreement with the Cajundome to play football in its arena for the 2010 season.

"We are very excited to bring the city of Lafayette an arena football team that can play at such a high-technology, high-performance arena," said President Ray Ronquillo. "The technology that the Cajundome offers, such as the LCD lighting, the big screen replay, the capability of having piro fire and the laser lights, is going to make the games an exciting experience.

"Ultimately, it gives us a upside capability of entertaining close to 11,000 people."

The Wildcatters open up at home against its rival, the Louisiana Swashbucklers, on Saturday, May 1 at 7:05 p.m. Season tickets are still available by calling the Wildcatters office at (337) 704-2897. They will also be available at the Cajundome Ticketmaster Box Office.

That Shoulda Been Me

OK, one more Saints Superbowl Victory story, unless I find another one later. Over on Saintsreport.com, a guy posted this photo and story of his Mardi Gras catch. Check it out, and then check your envy.

"I'm at the Orpheus parade on Monday night with my family. I'm up on a really tall ladder with my son, wearing my Reggie Bush jersey. Around the corner comes the float carrying Sean Payton and Reggie Bush. They're throwing these cool Super Bowl hats with Fluer de lis on them. I was trying like crazy to catch one, when all of a sudden, Coach Payton points directly at me, takes out a sharpie and signs the bill of the cap. He launches it toward me and it lands right in my hands. It was like slow motion. Here's the picture from my cell phone right after I caught it. Woo Hoo!!!!"

Finally!

This is for all the Sons and Daughters who won't have to wait until they're almost 50 years old (like I did) to see their team become WORLD CHAMPIONS! I don't have a photo credit, so this is probably illegal, and definitely unprofessional. But guess what? I don't make any money on this thing, and my team just won the freaking Superbowl! Just choke down that lump in your throat and enjoy the moment.

Win, Lose, Or Draw

I'm opting for a philosophical approach to today's NFC Championship game. This is different than anything this franchise has experienced in it's history. A new benchmark. Yes, they played in the conference championship game in '06, but that was in Chicago, this is at home....in the Dome, one of the most unique stadiums in the world, that also served as shelter of last resort to thousands trying to escape the ravages of Hurricane Katrina. Indeed, the Dome itself barely survived the storm, and some even called for it's demolition in the immediate aftermath. But much like the City, and the team, the Dome was repaired and now is hosting, arguably it's biggest event ever.

There are only a handful of bright spots in the history of the Saints. And even those were not all that bright. Billy Kilmer and Danny Abramowitz? Both great Saints, but both also widely considered overachievers. The type of players that are regarded as "gutsy" or "scrappy". Archie "if they could've ever put a team around him" Manning? Yeah, well, they didn't. As a result, his achievement was mostly measured by his mere survival behind some of the worst offensive lines ever assembled in professional football. Love Saint Archie, but there is no hardware in his area code.




For a long time, the only positive league record we owned outright belonged not to a quarterback or other play making superstar. No, our record belonged to a kicker, the great, Tom Dempsey. And it was only for one kick....his 63 yarder. Kids in my neighborhood got a lot of mileage out of boasting about that kick. It's only as an adult that I realized one kick...no matter how great it was, is not something to hang an entire franchise on. Not really boast worthy.



Some years later, we got Coach Jim Mora who brought with him one of the best defensive units in NFL history...and also one of the most conservative, inept offensives...ever. Teams couldn't score on us, and we couldn't score on them. Still, it was a pretty awesome team, and we were building a bit of legendary status when Mora squandered most of it away with one idiotic phrase: "diddly poo". If you don't score points and win games, you can't say stupid things like "diddly poo". Nobody remembers tackles and low scores, but they remember "diddly poo".



So, here we are, our second conference game appearance in four years. Not exactly legendary, but it's a start. Should we win today, it will be historic. If we win again in two weeks, don't even bother going to work for a while. New Orleans will be on permanent "snow day" status until further notice. Regardless of today's outcome, this is the best team ever assembled by this franchise. This is something to enjoy and remember....and maybe boast about. Yeah, this team is definitely boast worthy.



Photo by eiratansey

I Dont Feel So Good

To quote former Saints head coach Hank Stram, the Cowboys gave it to us "right in the smoosh" last night. Look, I don't know what a smoosh is, but I'm pretty sure it hurts to get hit there. Dang it! As you might expect, the Times Picayune has several great reads about last night's debacle. Lots of perspective, and explaining of the inexplicable to be found there. Links: here, here, here, here.
To be sure, there will be much more Saints talk (the sky is falling! the sky is falling!) histrionics from the TV/radio chuckleheads coming. In fact, it's going to be hard to avoid such yackety-yack for a little while. But, for me, I'm gonna let "my main man" (actual catch phrase from the 70's), Kris Kristofferson, have the last word. Side note: It took me almost a year, but I finally figured out how to work in music from non-Louisiana based artists. More music for you, less writing/work for me. It's a win-win for everybody. Which reminds me WE LOST! Dang it! Dang it! Ding Dang it!
Take us out Kris.

Go Saints Go!

Well, no less than three people contacted me about this story. I pick up on hints. Maybe I should do a post about the story. Here it is Wright Thompson's article on ESPN.com about the lift New Orleans is getting from the Saints winning season. Here's a snippet:

The Saints, always popular, have transcended, now lumped in with New Orleans' institutions -- Mardi Gras, Louis Armstrong and red beans on Monday. They're woven into the fabric of the town … because they stayed. Private girls schools now let the students wear Saints jerseys to class on special days. A friend of mine, who lives in Uptown and grew up going to games, says the feeling about the team has changed. He's an oil-and-gas man, a Republican, not prone to fits of hippieness. "The last four years have been very special in the city's attachment to the Saints," he told me. "I am not one to do a lot of reflecting back on Katrina, but there is clearly a line of demarcation there."

Read the rest here.

Also, I was struck by how genuine and thoughtful Saints receiver and Opelousas native, Devery Henderson was in his comments to William C. Rhoden, of The New York Times, on the death of fellow Louisianian, and NFL player Chris Henry. From that article:

“Speaking for myself I go back home and my people, they not only look at me as who I am—the cousin or their nephew or their grandson — they look at me as an N.F.L. player,” Henderson said. “They’re proud of it, that’s just the reality of it. To them, I’m up on a pedestal. I’m pretty sure it was the same thing with Chris Henry’s family, so I can imagine what they’re going through right now.”

Read the rest of this article here.

13-0

It's loud and dark, but this video of the reception the Saints players received at the airport last night following their victory over the hated Atlanta Falcons is awesome. Greeting the team at the airport has become a regular occurrence this season, growing to the point of requiring crowd barricades, and police escorts. Love it!

Keep Blanking That Chicken Redux

In yet another tribute to futility and ignorance, the champions of all things futile and ignorant, Da Klan, is staging a march (really just a casual get together of like minded fellowship....who happen to share a bloody, racist history of hate and domestic terrorism) in Oxford, MS today at the Ole Miss-LSU game. And what pray tell has their sheets all in a wad? Seems the Ole Miss band has a tradition of playing From Dixie With Love at their football games. At the end of the song, there is an en mass shout of "the South shall rise again" from the student section. In a story for the LSU Daily Reveille, Xerxes A. Wilson, (lawd, you know Xerxes got teased as a child with that name) reported:

the controversy began last month when the Ole Miss Associated Student Body passed a resolution in favor of discontinuing chanting “the South will rise again” to replace it with “to hell with LSU.” The resolution was never fully enacted because it was not signed by the proper officials after passing the senate, said Peyton Beard, Ole Miss Associated Student Body director of athletics.

But, you know, students at a college football game don't like to be told what to do, and they like to drink a lot. So, they kept shouting the retort at the end of the song. Not a big deal really, but it seems Da Klan is a sensitive bunch (ironic huh?) and they want the kids to be able to keep shouting. Whatever! Maybe they just like to dress up in their money costumes and parade around. Who doesn't like a parade, remember this post? It's a Southern thing!
Read the Reveille story here. And ponder this quote by Shane Tate the "grand titan" (it's his real title) of the he-man haters club:

“We aren’t coming there to cause problems or cause trouble,” Tate said. “Trouble has already been caused by a handful at Ole Miss, including the black student body president, who wants to shape Ole Miss into yet another liberal sodomite college.”

Grammar much? Over-react much?

Photo by dklimke

Icegator Switcheroo

The Louisiana Icegators announced recently that GM Brent Sapergia will temporarily replace Ron Handy as head coach. According to the release, Handy will concentrate on community relations and off ice operations while Sapergia, previously the General Manager/President, will step behind the bench in an effort to spark the team to a victory. So far the team has struggled to get it's game going as they are 0-3 but their next chance to score a win will be this Friday against the Pensacola Ice Flyers. The game starts at 7:05 pm in Blackham Coliseum.

Hey Battah Battah!

While you're watching this year's World Series between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies, take special notice when Mark Teixeira, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Jorge Posada, or Robinson Cano come up to the plate. They'll be swinging bats handmade by Jack Marucci in his warehouse in Baton Rouge. Oh yeah, he's also the head athletic trainer at LSU. Marucci's unlikely jump to the big leagues of bat making is chronicled by Manish Mehta in this article for the Star-Ledger. Read it here. And check out the Marucci Bats site too.

Big Baby Has Bad Buddies

Former LSU Power Forward now Boston Celtic, Glen "Big Baby" Davis looks like he's not going to be playing for a while. According to espn.com Davis apparently got into an altercation with a former teammate from Louisiana that was in town visiting and injured his thumb. No formal statement has been issued yet other than he has been sent for further testing.

Photo by Daniel Torres Bonatto