Let’s get going, because there’s a lot to get to.
Anderson fallout shelter
Derek Anderson’s tirade after the Monday night football loss to San Francisco has generated a lot of talk.
Quick recap: Anderson, Arizona’s quarterback, was asked about laughing on the sideline during the fourth quarter of the blowout loss to the 49ers. He erupted, it was caught on the youtubes and he looked like a goof.
The 5-at-10 wrote about it yesterday, and received a couple of e-mails about it. The gist of the feedback was about how, “You weren’t there” and “You don’t know what it’s like” and “What did you expect him to do, cry on the sidelines?”
Well, no I wasn’t there. No I don’t know what it’s like to be an NFL quarterback. And no after the Cardinals scored all of two field goals in the 27-6 regular-season loss, I did not expect Anderson to cry – although plenty of the team’s season-ticket holders probably felt like crying.
His smile/laughing on the sideline was not the point. Anderson’s eruption at the question in the postgame is the issue here. Seriously, a guy that is supposed to deal with a zone blitz and crowd noise and audible and everything else is going to be rattled by a question about a fourth-quarter giggle? That’s what he’s sticking with?
Well, he was probably so distraught after the loss, wait… I’m confused and need a nap.
LeBron heading home
In this Feb. 6, 2010, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers’ Shaquille O’Neal (33) and LeBron James (23) wait for play to resume against the New York Knicks in an NBA basketball game in Cleveland. The Boston Celtics are making progress on a deal that would bring O’Neal to the defending Eastern Conference champions, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press. O’Nel has struggled to find a contract from a team that can guarantee him playing time, enough money and a chance for one more championship. He has all-but ruled out joining James in Miami or a return to Orlando, where he began his career in 1992. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)We’re still a day away, but the 5-at-10 is flat-out giddy at LeBron James returning to Cleveland on Thursday.
The Cavs, who were shunned this summer during James’ hour-long made for TV drama-fest known as “The Decision,” face a Heat team plodding along around .500 despite adding James and Chris Bosh to a lineup that feature Dewayne Wade.
The signs alone should be gold, especially since Cavs owner Dan Gilbert has been less than quiet about the subject since James famously took his talents to South Beach.
After saying James quit during the playoffs last year, Gilbert, who owns the company that makes Fatheads, the super-sized sports posters and cutouts, dropped the price on the LeBron James Fathead to $17.41 – or the same year that Benedict Arnold was born.
Looking good, feeling good
The Tennessee Vols basketball team put on a show Tuesday night, blasting MTSU by 30.
Say what you want about the talent difference, the 5-at-10 is a big believer in teams handling their business and moving on. That’s what happened with the Vols, who took a 46-23 lead into halftime and oiutrebounded the Blue Raiders by 20 to improve to 6-0.
And Holy Buckets, Tobias Harris can play. The freshman finished with 21 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals. Well done.
State of grace and space
Staff Photo by Allison Carter/Chattanooga Times Free Press – Nov 26, 2010 – Cody Hill, from right, Coalfield’s quarterback, tries to avoid being tackled by South Pittsburg’s Jakoby Reynolds and Corbin Hale Friday night during South Pittsburg High School’s TSSAA semifinal football game against Coalfield in South Pittsburg.The three area teams playing for state football championships this weekend are spaced nicely.
Baylor plays Thursday night at 8 p.m. in the Division II-AA final, South Pittsburg plays at 1 p.m. on Friday in the 1A final and Signal Mountain plays at 1 p.m. on Saturday in the 2A final.
There are great storylines throughout the trio, too. Signal is looking to make history by winning a state title in just its second season. Baylor is looking for its first state title since the 1970s. Perennial power South Pitt is looking to complete what its fans, players and coaches believe is their birthright – a state championship season.
Good luck, and for those of you that can’t make the trip to Cookeville, follow all the action on our website at timesfreepress.com and you could even win a Wii.
Final note
Just saw this from the Associated Press:
COPENHAGEN, Denmark – Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield will fight Denmark’s Brian Nielsen on March 5.
The 48-year-old Holyfield “knows he faces an experienced boxer with a lot of fighting will,” Sauerland Promotion said in a statement Tuesday.
Nielsen, who held the lightly regarded IBO title in the 1990s, is 45.
OK, a few things to cover here:
1. Seriously?
2. After covering a lot of high school events and having those polite youngsters call me “Sir,” this would a welcomed change for the 5-at-10.
3. Is Evander in danger of violating his AARP status if he continues to work?
4. Read No. 1 again.
Until later today.