5-at-10: Friday mailbag

Hope you have a great weekend and thanks for playing along.

From the "Talks too much" studios, the time is the time. What else do you think it is.

From Sportsfan

Jay - Mrs Sportsfan just told me about the Copper Hill youth football league. Wow. The NFL issues, Lance, Jamies, Pete Rose, Penn State, MLB PED's. I think I need you to talk me off the ledge. For the mailbag...how about a Rushmore of what's good and pure about sports?

Sportsfan -

We did a lot of thinking about this question because it is so important and spot on.

Sports should be the escape from the realities of this harsh world, not the reminder of it. And that's where we are with the litany of negative story lines you referenced and the swirling unrest and controversy at almost every level.

In fact, amid all these seeming senseless nonsense, this question is worthy of multiple Rushmores that appeal to all the senses.

photo Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw delivers to the Milwaukee Brewers during their game on Aug. 10, 2014, in Milwaukee.

Rushmore of sights that are good and pure - exiting the main concourse at Augusta National and seeing an ocean of humanity on the green waves of God's golf course; grade-school boys in college football jerseys and their little sisters in cheerleading uniforms outside the college stadium of your choice on Saturdays in the fall; Clayton Kershaw shaking off the catcher and the hitter shaking in his Nikes; LeBron James in the open court.

Rushmore of sounds that are good and pure - Steel spikes clicking on the sidewalk; the crack of a wooden bat when everyone including the pitcher's mother knows it's gone; when the band plays your team's song as they emerge from the tunnel just before the crowd noise overwhelms everything; the complete and deafening silence of 100,000 college football fans right before the anthem the anthem, when someone may be hurt and right before every other big moment that could be the string that tethers any Saturday's outcome between the thin green line of winning and losing.

Rushmore of feelings (touches) that are good and pure - the one golf swing that brings you back whether you just shot 2 under or 200; the release of a jump shot that you and Jimmy Chitwood know is nothing but net; a catch with your son; as easy as it would be to put the joy of victory here, we'll go with the knowledge of knowing you (or your team) gave it everything you had, win or lose.

Rushmore of smells that are good and pure - the semi-sour smell of sweaty pads that means preseason football practice has started; fresh-cut grass in the outfield before a coach-pitch game; the popcorn machine on the concourse; the mixture of mint, juleps and au natural patty on the infield at Churchill Downs.

Rushmore of tastes that are good and pure - Hot dogs at the ball park always taste better; your game day beverage of choice; our son thinks AT&T Park is the best restaurant in Chattanooga because they have pizza AND Slush Puppies, so we'll go with that; Pimento Cheese sandwich, bag of chips and a beer for $5 at the Masters.

Great question and amid all the junk of the last 10 days in the sports world, one we were happy to answer.

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photo UTC defensive coordinator Adam Braithwaite instructs the defense during the Mocs' victory over Austin Peay.

From JMC

I know its bye week but have the TFP decided to take a week hiatus on Mocs coverage? (pertaining to football; I know Cross Country is in season) I'm pretty sure something is going on in Russ' camp. Tennessee's bye week is this week as well and don't see much skipping on the coverage (Please note if this was the News Sentinel it would Big Orange 24-7; but its not). Also, enjoying the clips/papers as I am to assume you received all of them by now? Thanks.

JMC -

There's plenty going on with Russ and Co. In fact, we pretty sure we had a story every day but one this week, and that was after back-to-back off days for the Mocs.

We deal with a lot of questions about the TFP sports section, and we're happy to oblige because that's what we do. In fact we encourage people to ask questions about the sports section because a) it lets us know the interest level invidious topics/teams and b) it creates good dialogue about our sports section, and we have always viewed it as all of our sports section, we're just the steward of it.

That said, UTC gets a ton of coverage - much more than any comparable program - and we take a lot of pride in that.

Thanks for the question, and yes, thanks for the clips, they were much appreciated.

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From Todd962

Ooh, a piece of candy. Ooh, a piece of candy. This place seems familiar...

It wouldn't be the first time Eric Dickerson led to the death of SMU. Whats the Rushmore of dudes that wore Rec Specs?

Todd962 -

Eric Dickerson, who was part of the Pony Excess scandal that led SMU to the death penalty in the early 1980s, had some harsh words for his alma mater, saying if they do not improve, they should end the program. Ouch-standing.

Rushmore of Rec Specs, huh? OK. We are going to disqualify Kareem Abdul Jabbar because those were goggles as opposed to the more tradition rec specs.We'll go Eric Dickerson, Chris Sabo, A'mare Stoudemire, who gets bonus points for putting his on top of his head for free throws, and Gordon in Dodgeball.

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photo Auburn running back Corey Grant (20) tries to get past Kansas State defensive back Travis Green (2) during their game Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014, in Manhattan, Kan.

From Tiger Dan

First off, I have been wanting to tell you and Paschall how much I enjoy the radio show. You guys really know your stuff.

Auburn is worse than I thought -- we should have lost at K-St. In the SEC West I see Auburn losing 4 games now. What do you think?

Tiger Dan -

Auburn's 20-14 win at Kansas State was certainly surprisingly low scoring - for each team.

And Auburn certainly got some fortunate breaks to leave Manhatten - no the other one - with a win. Three missed field goals by Kansas State obviously hurt, as did three Auburn drops and some ill-timed penalties.

Playing in the SEC West means four losses could be around any corner.

If there's a positive here - other than winning of course - for Auburn fans is the big picture. Auburn went on the road and beat a top-20 team without playing anything close to its best. It also won with defense, something that has been as rare as Haley's Comet for Malzahn and Co.This was Malzahn's 17th game as Auburn's head coach and Thursday was the fewest points the Tigers have scored in that time.

And they still won. There has to be value in that.

There also could be high value in a road nonconference win against a ranked foe in the eyes of selection committee.

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