Rushmore of "blind" — Sayings: "justice (and/or love) is blind," "blind as a bat (and mainly used as greeting to umpires)," "blind squirrel finds a nut," blind leading the blind." Pop culture: "Blinded by the light," "Blind Side," "She Blinded Me with Science," Blind Willie McTell. The Allman Brothers are forever underrated, friends. Side note: Can't you see "Blind Justice" being a Steven Segal movie where he has retired from special forces/DEA/Chicago PD and the crew of (insert stereotypical foreign gang here) that Segal spent his career trying to bring down cuts out the eyes of his ex-partner/brother/wife as pay back for all Segal has seen. This fires him up — cue Rocky-style training montage complete with a cheesy, made-for-the-movie, 1980s hairband banger called "The Eyes Have It" — and he comes after the whole crew, killing them all with some sort of "I (eye) got you" tag line. Vader, want to co-executive produce?
If NBC had a Rushmore outside of Rockefeller Center, who would be on it — Lorne Michaels, Johnny Carson, Dick Wolf, Jerry Seinfeld (who replaced Cosby because, well you know, but Cosby was the genesis of "Must See Thursday" that helped to save NBC).
Rushmore of rock lead singers from the 1980s — David Lee Roth, Axl Rose, Jon Bon Jovi and Steven Tyler. (This is more on popularity and fame than actual skill set.)
Rushmore of left-handed QBs — Steve Young, Mike Vick, Stabler and Boomer.
You know the rules.
Here's Paschall on UT football.
And here's a lengthy look at some important high school football anniversaries this season from Hargis because, well, you know the rules.
To the bag.
From Brad
Jay, how predictable is this (Braves) outcome?
Brad,
First, my condolences to all my buddies who are die-hard Braves fans who are miserable this morning.
Second, while the pain is fresh and the goal was not achieved, it's hard not to be thankful for and remembering of the great summer this team had. What a joy to watch — and bet on. And the simple truth is this Braves bunch is built to be a playoff fixture for the next half-decade.
But how can a playoff fixture be a playoff factor? That's the question that should dominate the off-season, because, yes this Braves blistering at the hands of the knife-fighting Phils was eternally predictable to anyone not wearing Braves-colored glasses.
And the buffet of blame is deep and overflowing.
There clearly is a lack of leadership within the locker room from those in the uniforms. I don't know if that was Freddie Freeman or Dansby Swanson — or heck, even a Joc Pederson or a couple of other guys on past rosters who you hated when they were elsewhere but loved them when them played at Truist.
That lack of leadership has led to a lack of toughness. This was a Braves collection of bats that were front runners. Score a couple in the first, and the ball started rolling. Staring at a 3-0 hole, and everyone started looking around for someone else to make something happen.
The stars — other than Austin Riley — vanished like a cloudy night in a rain forest against Philly. And in a lot of ways that starts with Ronald Acuña, who assuredly should be the NL MVP, but with that step into the center stage comes the spotlight. And Acuña was consumed in it.
Brian Snitker's style — laid back, casual, day-in-day-out calm, business-like — is great for winning division. It has proven to be — save one Jorge Soler, Eddie Rosario led magical run — to be hollow the closer we get to Halloween.
Snitker's style is not the only one in the dugout that must be evaluated and changed when the -er months come around. Looking at you, hitting coach Kevin Seitzer. Yes, the Braves had a historic offense, but if you can't get your players to listen to the basic premises of postseason hitting, then we need to have a chat.
Let's look to the front office, too. Yes, Alex Anthopoulos has received an avalanche of well-deserve praise across the game for landing and inking a talented lineup of stars that will make the Braves a contender until 2030.
But everyone with a keyboard, a mic, a set of eyeballs and access to Bally Sports broadcasts knew this pitching staff needed another starting pitcher.
And AA decided against it.
The window is wide open for another championship, but there are needs — and issues — that must be addressed.
Because that window does not stay open forever, and for as great as this team is — and as great as the 1990s bunch was — a decade of summer dominance that leads to only one title will be viewed as underachieving.
From TC
I heard UTK's Bob Kisling announced his retirement following the upcoming basketball season, but I am unable to verify this.
Or was this just a "troll" by the Kisling haters? And for the life of me, I don't get the objection to Kisling? At the time I understood the reaction to the loss of John Ward when he retired.
Kisling has proved to be easy to listen to and a darn site better than the ESPN, FOX or other network people. In fact, I generally mute the network audible in favor of the Vol network radio broadcast unless it is totally "out-of- sink."
I suppose part of this is because I'm old enough to appreciate a good radio play by play announcer along with good color commentary.
But it does beg the question: Who would you want to see replace Kisling?
The Vol Network has a couple of capable people already on board, namely Chris Low and Brent Hubbs, or perhaps Jeff Francis?
Sure, I would love to hear a combo of Mike Keith and Pat Ryan calling the Vol games, but would they even consider leaving the Titans?
That would have to be a major "money whip" wouldn't it? And has Mike Keith ever been heard to express that desire?
I recall that back when Ward announced he was stepping down some people actually mentioned Mike Keith, which brought howls from across the local radio sport talk personalities, especially from two brothers who were prominent on local sport talk radio.
But now, Keith is a known and proven talent and is considered one of the best NFL "voices" and the Vol Network would be lucky to have him (imo).
The Mrs. 5@10 talent continues to amaze!
TC,
I saw your comment earlier this week, and I have not seen anything saying Kesling was planning on walking away.
I, too, like Bob's style, but it is more professional and down the middle than most of us old Southern sports fans are used to.
Plus, being the guy who replaces THE guys is never, ever easy, and that was Kesling's task.
But when the time comes, Mike Keith should be the Vols' first, second and last call.
They can afford to money whip anyone. And yes, it would be tough, but Wes Durham used to make it work with Tech and Falcons games on the same weekends.
Mike Keith is so good, I prefer to listen to him call Titans games than watch/listen to the CBS third-(or-worse) string crew.
From Wayne
Jay, I miss you on the radio. Is there ever going to be a time you go back to being on the air?
And where do I find the podcast?
Wayne,
Thanks for the kind words, and it was a fun time. But that time was then. I'll never say never, but I don't see it happening any time soon.
Heck, I got girls middle school hoops tryouts starting Monday.
As for the podcast, it's been a lot of fun, and Brian Edwards is carrying me along.
Here's this week's episode. Enjoy, and yes, I was on West Virginia last night. Ouch-standing.
From Mark
I knew you were just lucky. Your picks are back to where they have always been — in the (BLEEPER)!
You are a fraud, Jay!
Mark,
Stay blessed my man, and and thanks for reading.
Have a great weekend, friends.