Posts Tagged ‘Bad Behavior’

This Week’s Host: The Power T

Week Zwei

(That’s German for “2″)

This week’s Big Orange Roundtable is hosted by none other than The Power T, who has served up a heapin’ helpin’ of questions for we “Volggers” to consider. Being that I am all about riding the coat-tails of others (and the fact they haven’t kicked me out of the Roundtable … yet) here are Gate 21’s thoughts on all that is this week in the world of Tennessee Football.

(Questions in Sort-o-Teal-like color)

1) A position of strength for the Vols this fall should be wide receivers. Which 2 guys will emerge from the pack to start the opener against UCLA alongside Lucas Taylor? Why?

First of all, I think that Lucas Taylor is going to be a starter — probably from start to finish. He is the most tested and reliable of the receiving corps this year. As for the other spots, well, it gets more difficult there.

The conventional wisdom would be to go with Austin Rogers and Josh Briscoe (not to be confused with Briscoe Darling) — both have had significant playing time and key catches. They were solid down the stretch (especially in the overtime win against Kentucky, where Rogers saved the day with a huge 2-point conversion catch), however, they both had a few key weaknesses which hampered their overall production. Both had some big drops at key moments, and both appeared to have some shortcomings at times when it came to field awareness. That said, both of these upperclassmen now have an additional year of experience under their belt, and will no longer have to live in the shadow of the amazing and talented Robert Meachem.

The “Other” Briscoe

That said, I really like what I saw from Gerald Jones in his limited playing time last season, and something in my gut tells me that this talented sophomore will secure — at a minimum — 50% of one of the remaining starting spots. Based upon what I understand Dave Clawson’s offensive model to be, it seems that Jones would make a perfect fit — especially when it is time to go deep.

I am a huge fan of using the Tight End as an additional passing threat (something that I have a feeling we may see under Dave Clawson’s tricked-out-offense), and I hope that we end up using Jeff Cottam more in that role to complement and build upon the strengths of this year’s receivers — thereby making the Vols less one-dimensional and tougher to defend against. Either way, it seems to me that — despite losing a gamebreaker like Meachem — the receivers will be much stronger as a unit this season on the whole, largely due to experience and having more than just one go-to receiver. I feel this is especially true considering that, with Jonathan Crompton under center, it is fair to assume that opposing defenses will now have to honor the possibility that No. 8 may come running at them “Straight Outta Crompton” as well as throw to one of the wide-outs.

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See What Happens When You Don’t Obey the Rules?

Here are a few links of interest from around the internet worth giving a look:

• Bruce Pearl knows that staying busy is the best way to stay out of trouble – GoVols Xtra
• The Fulmer Cupdate is out, and despite some despicable actions by Florida’s Jamar Hornsby, Missouri is still in the lead in the battle to the bottom – EDSBS
• Phil Fulmer doing live striptease videos on the web? I think not – 3rd Saturday in Blogtober
• Oh, the Joys of being a Gamecock are such that a few players want to relive it, even if it means going to prison – YMSWWC
• Wanna buy Chis Leak’s old shoes? Didn’t think so – Loser With Socks
• Part 1 and 2 of the Modest Proposal for a College Football playoff (which is as well thought out as any I’ve seen) – Garnet and Black Attack
• Ahh, the boys of summer at their best: 10 Great Basebrawl Videos (non-MLB Style), including this number one (It’s the kickin’ music that really does it for me):

– on 205th

Why it is not only considered “bad form” but can also really ruin your day if you get in a fight outside the ballpark – SportsByBrooks
Oh my, Maxim’s Hot 100 List for 2008 is out. – Maxim
• In a fairy tale ending, even Florida State wants to get on the chain gang – Get the Picture
• How one sports personality told his former employers to read between the lines (it just takes a little translation) – Gump for Heisman
• Trying to explain away Billy Gillespie’s cradle-robbing rampage – A Sea of Blue
• Even dear old Mom and a bunch of Cal-State Fullerton Cheerleaders are acting badly – Brahsome & Busted Coverage
• Tony Romo, Sing me a song…

– Viking Age

• If you have been the victim of a crime, however, don’t try and call 911– they don’t give a sh*t! – InfoWars
• Finally, even the Hall of Fame is committing travesties in the case of the infamous “Glasscock“ – The Grand National Championships

Oh to be young, irresponsible, and stupid…

– Go Figure …

Lead Image Courtesy of: The Fail Blog

Ramar, Duke, What the Hell Were You Thinking?

Less than 24 hours after Les Miles showed Ryan Perrilloux the door for failing a drug test, ESPN is reporting that Bruce Pearl dismissed both Ramar Smith and Duke Crews from the Tennessee Basketball Squad for reportedly failing multiple drug tests.

Coach Pearl said:

They did a lot of positive things in two years, but we have very, very high expectations for student-athletes on and off the court … We just felt like both the University of Tennessee and the student-athletes would be better served to move on.

ESPN also reported that each of the players would be transferring to another school.

While I am terribly disappointed to see the two BasketVols dismissed, I have to give praise to Pearl for his stance on player conduct. Since his first days on campus Pearl has made it clear to his players, the University of Tennessee, and Orange Nation that he is not willing to put up with players that cannot follow the rules. I applaud Pearl’s commitment to the integrity of the university and the program, and his willingness to act both firmly and decisively.

I’m not going to make excuses for Duke Crews or Ramar Smith — they made their decisions. In the process, they forced Pearl to make one as well. While I take no joy from the dismissal of these young men from the program, I must commend Bruce Pearl for continuing to stand firm on his principles, and to send a message that no individual comes before the team, the program, or the institution.

That is what they call leadership…

– Go Figure …

A little news from Baton Rouge… (hey man, that rhymes)

Apparently, Ryan Perrilloux just wants to be like his idols … Roger Clemens, Michael Vick, Charles Manson…

LSU Tigers coach Les Miles made it official today that Ryan Perriloux has been dismissed from the team for failing to keep up “his obligation as an LSU student-athlete.” According to Basilio & Beano, he failed another drug test.

Too bad for Ryan, he just misunderstood. He thought counterfeiting would earn him extra credit in his economics class, and that getting in brawls would help him in his sociology class.

Sounds to me like he must be at the top of his Criminal Justice Class…

Good call by the Les — best to kick him off the team now, rather than wait until he kills somebody.

– Go Figure …

Wow … all I can say is “Wow.”

We all knew it was bad when the Mitchell Report came out naming Roger Clemens as a doper, but I figured there was more to the story — a more complete telling, if you will. It got worse when Brian McNamee started waving around dirty syringes and old beer cans, but I assumed – at least to some extent — it was simply a ploy for attention by McNamee in hopes of deflecting the pressure that was coming down on him like a ton of bricks. It got downright embarrassing when Roger decided to “clear his name” before Congress. I assumed that was about as bad as it could get.

You know what, I was wrong…

Mindy McCready

Roger Clemens, has now passed from the uglier side of sports into the completely absurd, as revelations have now emerged regarding Roger Clemens alleged (and I use “alleged” because I am a lawyer, and I firmly believe that everyone has the right to refute charges leveled against them … oh yeah, and because Clemens has lawyers too) ten-year affair with Mindy McCready.

Don’t get me wrong though, I am not purporting to judge Clemens for supposedly having an affair. If he did he would hardly be the first or the last. People are human; people make mistakes — even athletes. Far be it for me to act like some moral inquisitor on the issue of another person’s love life.

I am, however, judging him for supposedly starting the affair when he was 28 and McReady was 15 years-old. It’s one thing to be unfaithful to your wife (bad though it may be), it’s an entirely different thing to commit statutory rape.

If all of this is, in fact, true, then Roger Clemens has just passed into legend. He has just won the all-time award for bad behavior by an athlete … ever. He has cemented his place in the Lecherous Idiot Hall of Fame. He has earned the All-Universe Trophy for Excellence in Dumbassery. He has won the gold, silver, and bronze medals at the Celebrity Career Suicide and Flame-out Olympics.

Oh yeah, he may have also earned himself 15 to 20 years in the service of the state…

I have never personally witnessed — forget me — the World has never witnessed such an absurdly meteoric and apocalyptic meltdown of a figure in the public eye … ever. Forget all the others, Clemens has so raised the bar on crashing and burning that there are no words to even describe it

Even Ron Artest knows you don’t hit babies. Even Eliot Spitzer knows you have to check their age before you pay them. Michael Vick never threw puppies into the pit.

Still, it is hard to believe that a few months ago, Roger Clemens was doing cell phone commercials. Now he is untouchable.

A few public figures, however, have commented on Clemens’ downfall:*

Joe Namath said:

Poor Roger, everything down the toilet … I wanna kiss you.

Harold Reynolds chimed in stating:

Look what he’s done, and they fired me? All I did was hug the b**ch!

Martha Stewart offered a bit of advice:

Well, I just hope Roger understands what prison life can be like. If it hadn’t been for my award-winning recipe for making Jailhouse Hooch, it would have been tough.

Pete Rose probably summed it best by saying:

Those are some pretty long odds to gamble on … so can I get in the Hall of Fame now?

From this day forward, anytime anyone in the public eye gets themselves in trouble for something insanely stupid, for something violating the code of sportsmanship, gets caught breaking the law … hell … gets caught doing pretty much anything they shouldn’t …

… they will be said to have “Pulled a Clemens”

Hopefully, this is the end of the fall for Roger Clemens, not because I feel particularly sorry for him, but because the situation keeps getting more ridiculous. I mean what could possibly come next, tying Clemens to Al Queda?

Osama Bin Clemens

Either way, Clemens will forever be emblematic of the select few amazingly talented people who just pissed their lives away.

When it comes to destroying your entire life, everything you have worked for, Roger Clemens is truly the greatest…

– Go Figure …

*Disclaimer: As if it were not completely obvious, the quotes in this article are complete crap and are purely a creation of the unbalanced mind of the author. The quotes above (along with all images bearing the “Gate 21″ Logo contained therein) are fictional humorous depictions (a/k/a “Farks”), intended as satire, of Roger Clemens and others, and do not reflect the views or position of the the individuals named herein. Neither this posting, those who created it, nor this blog are in anyway affiliated with Roger Clemens, or any other individuals mentioned hereinabove. So please don’t have your lawyers send me a bunch of nasty letters…

A little mindless YouTube action this morning courtesy of NESW Sports, and the Ethanator.

I grew up watching Larry Bird as a kid. I always remember how amazing it was that this geeky looking white guy, who seemed to have a perpetual wedgy while on the floor, could seemingly run circles around the competition and light up the basket like no other. The other thing about Bird was that he never seemed to get frazzled, always played with composure, and never seemed to get into any shoving matches with other players.

All except for this one day …

Nothing like a nice brawl to get the crowd into the game…

Meanwhile, Michael Jordan decides to throwdown on the backboard with authority:

Guess MJ was ticked about the silly uniform…

Finally, this is a good example of why you should never fall asleep in public — especially at a stadium …

By the way, if you’re looking for some good sports videos, make sure to check out NESW Sports, and tell ’em Lawvol sent you…

– Go Figure …

Videos Courtesy of: NESW Sports

Once again the sports world is abuzz about the start of spring training, and yet another Major League Baseball season. Baseball has a long list of issues on its plate as the season gets rolling along. All of the off-season chatter has centered on the problems arising from the Mitchell Report, Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Bud Selig, Brian McNamee, Bob Uecker, Pedro Cerrano, Ebby “Nuke” LaLoosh, Rick Vaughn, and Crash Davis. Those last five names actually have nothing to do with the controversy swirling in baseball, but I threw them in just for the hell of it — after all, the more the merrier.

Anyway, I am sure that the powers that be in baseball simply cannot wait to get the 2008 season going so they can put all of this ugliness behind them — “move on” as it were. There are only 2 problems with this line of thinking:

1. The start of the 2008 season is not going to put the steroid issues that have been plastered all over the media for the last 6 months “behind” baseball, not even a little, and
2. Even if it did cause millions of otherwise reasonably informed Americans to suddenly forget about a story that has been covered with more nauseating detail and intensity than the war in Iraq, that forgetfulness would only be the result of the fact that increasingly fewer people in this country give two shits about Major League Baseball anymore anyway.

I think baseball has a very tough road ahead of it…

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