Dominique Wilkins

Growing up in Marietta, I often heard about the legendary Blue Devil and Supersonic career of a sharp shooter named Dale Ellis. I attended his basketball camps and once "beat him" at a game called bump. That was always fun.

But, Dominique Wilkins was my hero. He was a man, who rattled rims inside the Omni, the Boston Garden, and every NBA arena he walked into. Wilkins was the greatest athlete I have ever seen. As a kid, I would religiously watch the Hawks on our cable-less TV. The picture used to fade in and out at times. But, no matter how cloudy the reception became, Dominique was always visible. I can remember trying to emulate his dunks on my Nerf hoops. Unfortunately for those thin plastic rims, I often got so excited that I would destroy them, Darrell Dawkins style.

Dominique had what they call "once in a lifetime" talent. He was Babe Ruth to me. The Wilkins led Hawks may not have won an NBA title, but I'm thankful to have grown up watching #21 play the game.

Click on the title of this post, to view highlights of Dominique Wilkins.

Richt Must Choose

A 6-5 season ain't sittin' well in Athens, GA. Especially, when the Dawgs have been tremendously slaughtered by their most hated rivals (45-19 Tennessee,
41-17 Florida, and 45-42 Tech in 2008). Something must change between the hedges. A once proud and dominant Bulldog defense has become one of the weakest units in college football. It's time for Mark Richt to make a very difficult decision. Either Willie Martinez must go, or CMR must go with him. Although Richt built a very impressive resume' during his first 8 years on the job, his program is rapidly decaying.

There are many problems with this year's squad, but the weakest link over the last few seasons is on the defensive side of the ball. I'm not sayin' there ain't play makers over there. There are. And that is the source of extreme frustration for Georgia fans all over the country. You could possibly see 3 Georgia DTs selected on the first day of the NFL draft. If ILB Rennie Curran skips his senior season, he could be one of 4 UGA defenders selected highly by the NFL.

Under the tutelage of Willie Martinez, Georgia's defense has done nothing, but freakishly diminish year, after year, after sorry azz defensive year. It's time for Richt to make a decision. Martinez must go, or he must kick rocks as well. As a proud fan of the Georgia Bulldogs, it's a sad day when I have to write an article such as this. But, Georgia fans don't wanna see any more of this: (click on title of post).

November 28 in the SEC

Iron Bowl: Friday Nov 27: Bama @ Auburn on CBS at 2:30. Tide rolls Tigers.

Saturday November 28:

Clemson @ Sloth Carolina on ESPN and ESPN360.com at 12:00. Tigers storm into ACC title game with a victory over evil Steve and the Gamecocks.

Egg Bowl: Ole Miss @ Miss State on SEC Network and ESPN360.com at 12:21. Rebels kick Mullen's Dogs all over the field.

FSU @ Eye Gouge U on CBS at 3:30. Seminoles stun Gators in Gainesville.

Tennessee @ Kentucky on ESPNU at 7:00. Not sure about this one. But, I'll take the Kats at home.

Arkansas @ LSU on ESPN and ESPN360.com at 7:00. Game will be played in Death Valley, underneath the lights. LSU doesn't lose under those circumstances. Tigers roast Pigs.

Georgia @ georgia institute of technology on ABC at 8:00. Dawgs salvage their season, with a win over the much hated yella jackets.

November 21 in the SEC

Chattanooga @ Bama on ESPN360.com at 12:21. No pick.

Miss State @ Arkansas on ESPN360.com and SEC Network. Hogs over Dogs.

Florida International @ UF on ESPN360.com at 12:30. No pick.

LSU @ Ole Miss on CBS at 3:30. McCluster leads Rebs to victory over Tigers.

Vandy @ Tennessee on ESPNU at 7:00. Commodores fall to 0-8 in SEC.

Kentucky @ Georgia on ESPN2 and ESPN360.com at 7:45. Dawgs win a thriller in OT.

Auburn and Sloth Carolina have a bye.

Saturday's home game versus Kentucky will mark the first time since 1956, that UGA has not had a live mascot on the Sanford Stadium sidelines. Uga VII passed away Thursday and a successor has yet to be named. The young mascot was just 4 years old. Click on the title of this post, to see Uga VII at his best.

Hawks Vs Heat

Tonight, the Atlanta Hawks are playing the Miami Heat in Philips Arena. These teams last met in the NBA playoffs last year. It was a weird series, that saw the home team blow out the visitors in each of the 7 games. Thankfully, my Hawks had the home court advantage and won the series 4 games to 3. Atlanta's play by play announcer, Steve Holman, was criticized for his cynicism of "Dwaaayne Wade." But, I loved his calls.

As I'm typing this post, the 9-2 Hawks lead Miami 21-17 in the 1st quarter. New Hawk, Jamal Crawford just drilled a 3. So far, the great Dwaaayne Wade is scoreless on an 0-4 night in Atlanta.

Click on the title of this post to hear Holman's controversial calls.

Ron Simmons

I met Ron Simmons at a local grocery store this morning. It was a honor to shake hands with the man who became the first African American to win the WCW World Championship title. Before his days in the squared circle, Ron Simmons was an All American DT at FSU. He finished 9th in voting for the Heisman trophy in 1979. That's pretty impressive, especially for a defensive lineman. In 2008, Simmons was inducted into the college football Hall of Fame.

During our brief conversation, I became a little star struck. I told Mr. Simmons that I heard the announcers mention his name during a recent FSU game. He said, "What did they say about me?"

I told him that they had been discussing the great tradition at FSU and some of their most impressive players.

"Was it the Clemson game?" he asked.
"I think it was," I responded.

"Well, it's nice to be recognized. I just wish it wasn't during a losing effort," Ron Simmons said with a smile.

To be honest, it was quite a thrill to meet this great man. It's not very often, that you get to spend a few moments with one of the greatest athletes in college football history. I am most familiar with Ron Simmons, for his days in WCW. He was ('scuse my language) DAMN good at his profession.

Click on the title of this post to see Ron Simmons in WCW.

November 14 in the SEC

Tennessee @ Ole Miss on CBS at 12:00. Rebels win.

Kentucky @ Vanderbilt on the SEC Network and ESPN360.com at 12:21. Kats crush Commodores.

Eye Gougin' Gators @ South Carolina on CBS at 3:30. Spurrier leads his team to victory. Just kidding. UF makes evil Steve wish he'd never left Gainesville.

Louisiana Tech @ LSU on ESPNU at 7 PM. Prediction not necessary.

Bama @ Miss State on ESPN and ESPN360.com at 7 PM. Tide remains unbeaten.

Auburn @ UGA on ESPN 2 and ESPN360.com at 7 PM. Dawgs win gives UGA 4 in a row vs Tigers for the first time since the 1940's. UGA 38, Auburn 31.

Troy @ Arkansas on ESPN360.com at 7:30. Pick ain't necessary.

This year, quite a few SEC teams have failed to live up to expectations. Who are you most disappointed in, Ole Miss, Arkansas, UGA, or Vandy? Click on the title of this post, to see which team has stunned me the most, with their lack of success.

P.S. I gotta go off topic for a moment. How 'bout my Hawks? With 3:38 left, Atlanta leads Boston 89-80. Let's go Hawks!!

Sports and the Law

Three Tennessee football players were arrested last night on charges of attempted armed robbery. The knuckleheads allegedly used a pellet gun to commit this crime. I just don't get it. Why would anyone, especially someone with so much to lose, make such a poor decision? Two of the players involved have immense talent and could have had a future in the NFL. But, these young men just threw this opportunity away. Once again, I just don't get it.

A couple weeks ago, New Mexico soccer chic, Elizabeth Lambert, shamelessly beat up numerous BYU players. What could provoke such an attack? Frustration? It's not BYU's fault her team stinks. Her actions were unprovoked and inexcusable. As punishment for this crime, Lambert should be banned from playing college soccer. The video (click on title to view) is quite disturbing. Maybe the judicial system should also get involved.

Let's get back to football. No SEC fan will ever forget the eye gouge by Brandon Spikes. On the football field, his antics went unflagged by officials. But Florida's coach, Urban Meyer, thought Spikes should be punished. So, he suspended #51 for the game against Vanderbilt. What a joke! If Spikes would have tried to blind somebody on the streets, he would have faced a charge of attempted aggravated battery, and a punishment of 10 years behind bars.

What is the jurisdiction for crimes committed in a sports arena? Do the laws of the land not apply to athletes? Don't get me wrong. I don't ever want to see referees wearing law enforcement badges and handcuffs. But, I do believe that intentional acts of malice should be punished severely, even when they occur in an athletic venue.

You can click on the title of this post, to view the sinister actions of Elizabeth Lambert, in the BYU vs New Mexico women's soccer game.

Veteran's Day

Happy Veteran's Day to all of the brave men and women who have served our country. This is a time to honor the real heroes in our lives. Personally, I can think of no greater man, than my Uncle Bud. He was defending our freedom, before I was even born. Men like him are the reason we are blessed to live in such a great nation. Thank you Uncle Bud. I love you very much and am proud to be your nephew. Happy Veteran's Day!

Rob.

P.S. I found a link you might like. Click on the title of this post.

November 7 in the SEC

South Carolina @ Arkansas on the SEC Network and ESPN360.com at 12:21. Gamecocks win.

Eastern Kentucky @ Kentucky on ESPN360.com at 1:00.

Tennessee Tech @ UGA on ESPN360.com and Comcast PPV at 1:00.

Furman @ Auburn on ESPN360.com at 1:30. I'm resisting the urge to say Furman will pull off a major upset. Auburn wins.

LSU @ Bama on CBS at 3:30. Geaux Tigers!! LSU clinches the West.

Memphis @ Tennessee on ESPNU at 7PM. Upset? Nah. Vols win.

Vandy @ "Eye Gouge U" on ESPN2 and ESPN360.com. Eye gougin' gators win, without LB #51.

Northern Arizona @ Ole Miss on ESPN360.com at 7:30. Rebels win.

Don't let the weatherman fool ya. November is the coldest month for Georgia fans. It usually begins after a painful loss in Jacksonville. But, Florida's dominance over UGA won't last forever. Click on the title of this post.