Last call for football

Now this should be the last issue in which I will discuss football at such length. Let’s just face it, we are facing a losing record. Coach Pete ain’t going nowhere, so deal with it; we are going to have the same offensive coordinator and if you think this year is bad, just look at the last good ones that are leaving and what they are leaving us with.
Speaking of such, let’s look at one who will be left behind-sophomore QB Thomas Ricks. I petition to Coach Pete, Coach Oliver and the quarterbacks’ coach (sorry, just joking) to let Ricks get some real time. We don’t have anything to lose, but three more games. Coach Pete, you said that you are prepping him for next season, you might as well let him get banged up too.
Now, let’s go with one who is leaving (tentatively). Now, we all have questions as to why running back Victor Ike isn’t producing. As foretold by the Jaguar Psychic Network (you know the guys & critics who hang out by the practice field), there are a plethora of reasons.
Now they say you can’t run on the inside, now this is somewhat true. But it is not your fault. But, you can’t blame your linemen either.
Go back to the first game. Your line did just fine for you against Tulane. But you also ran a lot on the outside corner. Then you progressed a little in the following games and then you had health problems, it happens.
But when you got sick and Newman and Peoples came about, and they started racking up yards, it seemed the offense had no place for you. And I feel your pain. So here are three solutions for you:
Gain a few pounds. I know that you can’t help but to have less fat than skim milk, but that is not the point. Remember how Barry Sanders and Earl Campbell ran? They used their upper legs; they ran from the “hip”. That is where all of their strength was.
Now by no means are Peoples or Newman in Sanders’ or Campbell’s league, but they employ the same tactic. They have a centrifugal advantage-that means they can run lower to the ground-using gravity as a friend-and they benefit from their upper leg strength better. Hence, the line doesn’t have to work so hard because they use their size and strength to plow through. So why go outside, when you can go straight? You feel me?
Just stick to returning kicks or punts. It is obvious that these teams already know what type of threat Ezra Landry is, so they are not going to kick to him. So why not just return the ball and try to get past the 20-yard line? There is nothing more outside than running along the hash marks.
You could always go up for kicker. No offense to Colby Miller, but we all could be kicker after the last game.
Also, another issue that causes wonderment in my mind is what kind of grades are these athletes getting? I am by no means a Rhodes’ Scholar, but I do try to maintain some sort of academic standard.
Because with all of these injuries throughout the program, I am sure that it would really suck to be crippled and dumb.
Enough with the depression, it’s time for progression.
Basketball is about to get underway. Now for those who don’t remember, the women’s team did really big things in the SWAC and went on to the big dance. There is a new assistant coach and there are new players. And just because there will be the evident absence of Jacklyn Winfield, don’t expect anything less than last season. They say that Alabama State is expected to take the SWAC, but of course, we know better. Besides, who’s afraid of Crystal Kitt (on the court that is)?
As for the men, let’s just pray on it. Coach Jobe has Nick Egland (last season’s SWAC Newcomer of the Year) and with gunner Victor Tarver hurt, what can he do to get the Jags out of such a rut?
Additionally, the volleyball team’s last home game and final game of the regular season is tonight at 7:30 p.m. It is also the girls’ Senior Night. Since we have been having such lackluster attendance throughout the season for other games, the least we could do is show up and support them on their final game of the regular season. Don’t worry, you will be able to wake up in time to tailgate.
Finally, I end with a joke, which is really directed to the architects of the baseball stadium. By the way, I am constantly getting new info while I watch others pass the buck when it comes to this press box, so you all will have to practice patience until next week. But in the meantime:
QUESTION: How many persons of the media does it take to fill a press box?
ANSWER: I don’t know, I don’t have enough room to turn around and count.