Posts Tagged ‘News & Notes’

Some of Slive's Henchmen at Work

Well, it looks like there are a few teeth to Mike Slive’s new edict that coaches refrain from criticizing the SEC’s finest.  What’s more, and somewhat to my surprise, it appears that the new policy even applies to Urban Meyer.  The basis for these conclusions?  Mike Slive’s decision to fine Florida Gators coach Urban Meyer $30,000 for criticizing the officiating during the Gators’ game against the Georgia Bulldogs, which was announced via an official release earlier today.

I am sure that Jeremy Foley will be lodging a strongly worded protest shortly, demanding that Lane Kiffin apologize for not being fined before Meyer…

So this raises a question: can you get fined for criticizing the fine you got tacked with for criticizing the officials?  I wonder if we will find out?  That could be highly entertaining.

At any rate, I guess we now know that Mike Slive actually meant what he said when he declared himself the High Inquisitor of the SEC.  Of course, no one expects the Spanish Inquisition…

Read the rest of this entry »

After last night, I’m just glad that the Canes are still alive…

My, oh my!  The Carolina Hurricanes are going to the NHL Eastern Conference Finals!  Led by the RBC Center’s master of the scoreboard ceremonies —the Nature Boy, Ric Flair—everyone is “WOOO-ing” in my hometown, the City of Oaks.

Video: Carolina Hurricanes Goal! WOOOOO!

The Hurricanes scoreboard celebration after scoring a goal

Once again, the Carolina Hurricanes pulled off the amazing, besting the Boston Bruins 3-2 last night in Game 7 of the NHL Eastern Conference Semifinals.  Once again, the decisive game of the series came down to the wire, with Carolina securing the victory off of a Scott Walker chip-shot goal with only 1:14 left in sudden death overtime.  The goal scored at 18:46 on the clock in overtime by Walker (who used to play for the Bruins), sealed the game, advanced the Cardiac Canes to the NHL Eastern Conference Finals, and gave the Bruins a chance to get start on all those “honey-do” lists around the house.  For some real insights on the game, check out Canes Country (which is written by people who actually understand hockey).

Up next, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Once again, I find myself loving this “hockey thing” and having something to cheer about in the off-season as I prepare for the Tennessee Volunteers’ upcoming football season.  Of course, as I mentioned a few weeks ago when the Canes beat the New Jersey Devils, hockey can be a hard sell in the South, where few people ever played the game.  Still, it seems to me that hockey is a natural fit in the South due to all of the things it has to offer.  In reply to my last hockey post, I posted a few comments on the issue:

I think the primary reason that so few Southerners really “get” hockey is due to the fact they had no exposure to playing it. I played (at some level) all of the major sports, except hockey growing up. The first time I went to a hockey game I was a little sketchy on the rules and really wasn’t completely sure what was going on except for trying to get the puck in the goal.

The penalties left me a bit perplexed too. I remember thinking “A penalty of ‘icing’ — what the hell is that about? The playing surface — in case you hadn’t noticed Mr. Referee—is a big freakin’ sheet of ICE! They’re all knocking big chunks of the frozen stuff all over the place, why do you have to pick on that guy?”

Over time, however, I have picked up on most of the rules and so forth, but the other thing I realized the night I first went to watch a hockey game was that I didn’t need to understand the rules. In some ways, hockey is a synthesis of all the great games: the team model of basketball; a flow like soccer; the speed of … well … racing; the use of sticks to hit things like baseball (okay that one is a bit of a stretch); and the strategy and bone-crushing physicality of football. Oh, yeah, and there is the whole fistfight thing from boxing.  The thing that makes it so exciting is the speed and the anticipation of the goal.

Most of all, it is just a hell of a lot of fun to watch. I really wish more Southerners would give it a look, it is a blast to watch in person.

So, all of you, go out and watch a hockey game next time you get the chance, whether it be the Hurricanes, the Predators, the Knoxville Ice Bears or whatever team is in your area. It’s a good time.

Just remember to bring a sweater…

• via: Comments on “Speaking of Hockey…” | Gate 21

Seriously, hockey is a pretty darn cool game.  On top of that, most of the teams in the South know that they are a new thing to a lot of folks, and as a result have done everything they can to reach out to the community and show them what a great game hockey is.  Here’s Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos explaining—GEICO style—what the Hurricanes did to get the community involved (well, sort of):

Video: Carolina Hurricanes: Real Hockey

I love the outtakes reel at the end of that one

The game is just exciting, and I for one agree with what Mike Greenberg said on today’s edition of ESPN’s Mike & Mike in the Morning this morning: while I may be a much bigger fan of other sports, the NHL playoffs are some of the most exciting sporting events you will ever see.

Yes, just like before, I do realize that all this hockey talk is a bit off-topic for a site focusing on the Vols and the SEC.  Still, I figure there’s a little wiggle room in that whole “Life, the Universe…” part of the Gate’s byline (that’s those words at the top of the page, if you were wondering).

Besides, what else is there to write about at present…

– So it goes

Videos(s) Courtesy of:   Raleigh News & Observer •  N&O.com ||  Statement on Fair Use

Well, there hasn’t been much going on in Big Orange Country of late, thus I have been painfully slow at posting…

There have been a few items of interest, mainly Robert Ayres being drafted at No. 18 by the Denver Broncos, along with Ramon Foster, Josh Briscoe, Lucas Taylor, Arian Foster, Britton Colquitt, and DeAngelo Willingham who were all picked up in free agency.  A dutiful blogger would have something insightful to say about all of this, but I have not been particularly dutiful of late and Hooper has already said pretty much everything worth saying over at RockyTopTalk.  Thus, I’ll just ride his coattails for the moment (sigh…).

On another front, apparently the powers that be in World soccer have decided that Neyland Stadium is worthy of hosting World Cup (Soccer) competition, and everyone’s favorite stadium has made the cut in the most recent round of machinations pertaining to site selection for the United States’ bid to host the 2018 / 2022 World Cup.  While I am hardly the world’s biggest soccer fan (despite spending an inordinate amount of time watching 9-year-olds compete in it), it was nice to note that Neyland Stadium qualified, while Bryant-Denny Stadium (Alabama Crimson Tide), Tiger Stadium (LSU Tigers), Jordan-Hare Stadium (Auburn Tigers), and  Beaver Stadium (Penn State Nittany Lions), among others did not.  I guess that new jumbotron was just too good a thing to turn down.

Heh…

Finally, as a resident of the RDU area of North Carolina, my “other” team is fighting for a chance to advance toward claiming Lord Stanley’s Cup.  Yes, that is hockey for those of you who do not realize it.  No, I wasn’t born in Canada.  Yes, I grew up in the South.  Yes, you should really consider giving the NHL a try—hockey is pretty cool (especially when there is no football).  For both of you out there who care, you can read all there is to be known about my othe team, the Carolina Hurricanes, over at Canes Country, which is part of the SBN family of blogs, (i.e. a lot better than this joint).

In the meantime, I will continue to work diligently to find ways to waste time on meaningless things and thus avoid wasting time writing meaningless articles…

– So it goes…

Image(s) Courtesy of:   Carolina Hurricanes ||  Statement on Fair Use

Despite my not being able to attend the game this past weekend, my cohort here at the Gate, “Home Sweet Home,” was able to attend. He was also able to document the game for everyone with his camera.  Thus, here are a few images of the game.

Click Images to Bigify

All photos by Home Sweet Home / Gate 21

HSH tells me that he also plans on serving up a detailed breakdown of the game later this week, one which undoubtedly will be far more meaningful than my comments in passing from yesterday.

In other news, I also wanted to point out that the countdown widget in the right sidebar has been updated to include the schedule for this fall as well as links to the bios of the Tennessee coaches.  All of that is accessible via the links below the countdown clock.  I will be updating it periodically to include whatever information seems relevant at the moment as we approach kickoff and throughout the season.

For now, however, we must wait for fall to come and the chance to see the Vols on the field once again…

– So it goes

I am a bit behind on this story (at least I think I am) but still figured this is worth passing along.

In case you hadn’t heard, this weekend’s Orange and White Game will be the last for the Jumbotron at Neyland Stadium.  This change, however, is being driven by necessity, not vanity.

Tennessee Jumbotron I: 1999 - 2009

When installed in 1999, the Sony video screen was the largest of its type in the country.  According to an article on “Tennessee Today” since that time Sony has discontinued producing video screens which has led to problems for the Jumbotron and the UT Athletic Department.  For the last three years, no replacement parts have been available for the screen and the UTAD has had to purchase scrap parts from other screens just to keep it running.  With a limited supply of parts, it has been difficult to service the aging video screen.

Then, after a screen malfunction in the Fall of 2008, fears arose that if the screen were turned completely off, it might be impossible to turn it back on.  It is for this reason that the screen has been left on in “sleep mode” constantly since the Fall of 2008.

Thus, after the 2009 Orange and White Game, the screen will be officially disconnected and removed from its perch above Neyland Stadium.

Not to fear, however, the screen will be replaced by an even more gargantuan 41 x 127 foot one (that’s 5,207 sq. ft.) which should be ready to go for the 5 September kickoff against Western Kentucky.  The new screen will rest on the existing stantions that support the current screen and, apparently, is being designed and installed by Anthony James Partners, a Virginia firm specializing in massive video screens.

Below are a few renderings of the new screen that recently made their way onto the web.  Whether they are accurate is hard to say, but I figured they are worth sharing:

Renderings of Tennessee’s New Jumbotron

— Click Images to Bigify —

[View Slideshow]

I have to say that the design is impressive.  I especially like the decorative “T” iron work along the top.  Still, I hope that the final design includes the “VOLS”” sign that has graced the south endzone of the stadium since 1966.

A few shots of the “VOLS” sign through the years • L to R c. 1966, c. 1971, c. 1977-99

As for the old screen, if you’re in the market, I bet UT would make you deal on it.  Might look nice in your living room…

…or on top of it.

– So it goes …

Image(s) Courtesy of: :   FVSports •   TheVIB ||  Statement on Fair Use

No, I didn’t quit writing, join the circus, get attacked by Somali Pirates, or decide to take up ad hoc piloting of random airplanes falling pilotless from the sky.  I just decided that it was time for a few days off.  This was due to a number of things.  First there was the fact that—after the conclusion of the Final Four—there wasn’t much to talk about last week.  Secondly, I have been working on trying to get a few things done which, hopefully, will improve a few things here at the Gate in anticipation of football season (and I do really hope that this is the case).  Furthermore, my non-blogging life has required that I do things other than fixate upon football season which, according to the tell-tale little widget over on the right sidebar (that’s this way for those of you who are directionally challenged), is still more than 140 days off.  Finally, there were three big points which put me in bit of a funk, one which I decided to wallow in for a day or so, those points are as follows:

Pretty much sums up my luck...

1. Florida Gators, National Champions;
2. North Carolina Tarheels, National Champions; and
3. Connecticut Huskies, National Champions.

I guess 2008-09 just wasn’t meant to be my year.  So it goes…

Anyway, all of that said, here I am back again with a number of stream of consciousness observations that I wanted to chase down, and now seems as good a time as any…

Who knew that Home Depot was a hotbed of College Football Conflict…

I live in Eastern North Carolina, I am within 20 miles of the University of North Carolina (a/k/a “Tarhead U”), Duke University, and NC State University.  I am anywhere but in the heart of SEC country and quite a distance from anything resembling real football.  The closest team of consequence would probably be the Carolina Panthers, which is not exactly the same thing.  For this reason, I was a bit surprised this weekend at a brief exchange I had in the parking lot of my local purveyor of all things home improvement related:  Home Depot.

My goal was simple: collect 18 bags of mulch for the yard.  My mind was focused on trying to figure out if there was a way to get out of spending the rest of the weekend playing with wood chips and was less than attuned to matters related to football.  I had already dumped 12 bags of the stuff, and thus was less than cognizant of my “yard hat” which has “Tennessee” emblazoned upon it in letters which could be read from across the room … a large room.

Thus, I was a bit taken aback when I stepped out of my truck to a firm and slightly louder than it should have been greeting from a man in a jeep with a huge-ish Gator head on the spare tire cover:

“BOOOOOOO!!  Kiffin!”

Again, not fully in command of my football fightin’ instincts at the moment, the best response I could muster was a thumbs up in my heckler’s direction, paired with a wink, and a half-perplexed “How ‘bout ‘cha?!”

The point of this seemingly inane tale of my trip to the hardware store (ahem, “Home Improvement Warehouse”) is not meant to warn of the pitfalls attending minor maintenance tasks, to assail Home Depot’s loyalties (I know they are based out of Atlanta, but their colors are orange and white, after all), or to provide a convenient excuse for getting out of those “Honey-Do” lists.  It’s far more subtle than that…

Lane Kiffin is in the Gators’ heads.

At least in my semi-unbalanced mind, my harmless little weekend run-in—paired with the profusion of “Tennessee” signs seen in the video posted by HSH—it seems that Kiffin’s little barbs have hit their mark far beyond the confines East Tennessee.  Some of the Gator faithful agree.  Of course, as the Hoopmaster General discovered, the sparring does come at a bit of price in the form of craziness from the less than sane and those with an axe to grind (or a deadline to meet). Still, as John Pennington pointed out the Blackjack General’s messages are not simply confined to sound bites and quips, but are rapidly approaching the point of real tangible substance.

With no disrespect to Coach Fulmer, I’m betting that in April 2008 my assailant says nothing at all.

I like it!

Moving Right Along … to the Orange & White Game

It’s Spring Football Time in Tennessee!

Yes, you can get a small football fix this weekend by attending the Orange & White Game, scheduled to start at 3:00 at Neyland Stadium.  All sorts of information on the game is available over at UT Sports.com.  Tickets are $5.00 and all proceeds will go to benefit UT’s Hodges Library.  Besides, when else can you get to see the Vols play for $5.00?

For those of you planning on attending the game, I would encourage you to consider meeting up with the guys from Rocky Top Talk who will be meeting in front of the hallowed ground of the Real Gate 21 on Saturday, for more information check out the faux-schedule for the meet-up.  Sorry to disappoint everyone, but Joel, Hooper, and Will will not be signing autographs, but many of the 2009 Vols will be, so don’t get too upset.

On a more substantive note, the Spring Outlook / Team Breakdown is now available for download as well .  It is full of stats and perspectives on the squad coming into the Orange & White game.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend, but hope to find somewhere to catch the game on the web.  The Orange & White Game is sponsored by Dish Network, however, apparently it will not be televised anywhere, including Dish Network.

Either way, this is the best chance for Orange Nation to get a glimpse of the new look Vols…

Finally, an amazing story from the non-sports world worth giving a look…

“Are you using the autopilot, or are you flying the airplane?”

• Southwest Florida Int’l Air Traffic Control

“Me and the Good Lord’s Hands are flying this one…”

• Airplane Passenger, Doug White

Those are not words you like to hear from a pilot trying to guide a plane in for landing, but that is what airplane passenger Doug White had to say during his brush with fate earlier this week.  If you haven’t heard about this story, you really should check out the article posted at CNN.com.  White, along with his family were flying home to Louisiana on a twin engine plane when the pilot unexpectedly died shortly after taking off from Fort Meyers, Florida.  There was no co-pilot on board.  As a result, White—who had flying experience, but only in single engine planes—was forced to land the plane on his own.

Fortunately, with the assistance of Air Traffic controllers, White managed to land the plane safely.

For me, the audio recording of White’s conversation with the tower are particularly compelling.  The FAA released the audio recording earlier today.  It is a little on the long side and has several periods of extended silence (5-10 seconds), but giving it a listen will remind you just how great it is to be alive.  From the tension and relief in White’s voice near the end of the recording, I am pretty sure that he is glad.  Seriously, if you have a few minutes give the full recording a listen.

AUDIO:  N559DW — Emergency Landing at Southwest Florida Int’l Airport (Ft. Myers, FL)  |  FAA.gov

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

That one makes my birthday seem like a blessing…

– So it goes…

Image(s) Courtesy of:  UTAD / UT Sports.com •  Home Depot / The Auto Blog ||  Audio Courtesy of:  Federal Aviation Administration ||   Statement on Fair Use

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Posted From: Section Y7 – Neyland Stadium and Somewhere on I-40
Well, that was fun (note scarcasm)…

The Tennessee Volunteers lose to the Florida Gators for the fourth year in a row. More accurately, the Tennessee offense lost to Florida for the fourth year in a row. The defense, though hardly perfect (especially on the first Florida offensive series) did, in my opinion play well enough to win (allowing only 248 yds). It should have been a 20-14 Florida lead at halftime, but the Tennessee offense, looked abysmal in the orange zone throughout the day. In the end, I stick to my prior belief that our defense is really quite impressive (especially Eric Berry who refused to quit) — the offense looks like Vanderbilt under Gerry DiNardo.

Tennessee managed 84 yards rushing, and actually showed the ability to pass — the source of most of Tennessee’s yardage. That passing ability was, however, horribly erratic and unreliable. Despite gaining more total yards (256 yds to Florida’s 248 yds), the Vols gave up 3 turnovers (2 of which were inside the 3-yard line) that squelched all hopes of coming from behind. Florida’s press coverage wreaked havoc on the Orange & White and, again, showed Jonathan Crompton’s lack of experience, field awareness, and a bunch of other important attributes which currently elude me.

Tennessee is not a very good team — a good defense, perhaps — but not a good team.
Oh yeah, it doesn’t appear that the UCLA game was a fluke…
Bullet points to come shortly, after the Great Punkin gives his post-game interview (which he doesn’t appear to want to do)…

- I particularly enjoyed the attempted 2-point conversion where Crompton managed to complete a pass to Center Josh McNeil who was sitting on the ground 3 feet in front of him.

- Brandon Warren, again had limited playing time at tight end, despite making a decent pick up in the 1st half. For the life of me, I don’t know why. Credit Luke Stocker, however, who played well today and thus sheds the “Skillet Hands Award.”

- Penalties were a killer for the Vols, but apparently the officials didn’t want it to be too big. The officials called offsetting personal fouls on more than one occasion — the last coming with 1 minute to go in the 3rd Quarter. Tennessee still gave Florida multiple 1st downs on penalties.

This Tennessee team needs a leader — someone needs to step up. Seeing Al Wilson, who was honored prior to kickoff made that all the more apparent. The defense appears to have a leader in the form of Eric Berry, but there needs to be someone on offense as well. There needs to be an upperclassman to get this team focused and to get the troops rallied. This team also needs to be better coached — there is no way around it. The defense did not quit this year, that was a positive. The offense, however, never really even showed up.

On a personal note, I am now 3-8 in games against Florida which I personally attended. More importantly, with this win Florida has now evened the series between the schools at 19 wins each. It’s going to be a long week getting ready for Auburn.

More to come in the next 24 hours…
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