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Story Archives: Why such disdain for SEC?


Why such disdain for SEC?
by Joey Martin - posted E-mail Story E-mail Story | Print Story Print Story 
Scattershooting while wondering why so many top network announcers and their sidekicks seem to have such a disdain for the SEC.

Tony LaRussa should have had a tougher time optioning Vidalia native Jarrett Hoffpauir down to triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Apparently, by the lack of at-bats in the spring, the Cardinal manager had no intention of keeping Hoffpauir with the Major League team despite the fact the former USM standout was hitting .333 with 18 at-bats. He had not struck out in his 18 plate appearances and has been solid in the field.

I understand Skip Schumaker has been handed the bag and it has been his job to lose. Schumaker hit .302 in the big leagues last year and is certainly a Major Leaguer, although his adjustment to second base from the outfield may not be as smooth as LaRussa would have liked.

But Hoffpauir has shown he can play with the big boys and he has a solid glove. The former USM All-American can also handle the right side of the infield as well.

Solid utility players are hard to find. And with the Cardinals' luck with injuries the past few years, I think it would have been wise to keep Hoffpauir in the Cardinal dugout.

• So what are the chances of Les Miles naming a starting quarterback at the end of spring? Here's a hint: What do fans in Tiger Stadium say when Dan Bourne says "Chance of rain in Tiger Stadium?"

You got it — Never.

• Now comes word that Lane Kiffin's infamous quote about Florida saying his team will be singing "Rocky Top" all night long after beating the Gators has made it into the Florida lockerroom.

Hey Lane, Ricky-Jean Francois made the mistake of firing up Tim Tebow last year with a stupid statement. It may be a lot to ask, but keep your mouth shut and just play the game. Otherwise, you're headed for a long night in Gainesville. Make that a longer night than expected.

• I can just see them trying this in Baton Rouge on LSU's campus. The University of Florida wants to establish a cemetery on its Gainesville campus for its most diehard fans, and it's working with state lawmakers in an attempt to set aside space for a Gator graveyard.

It's tough enough driving around Tigerland as it is. Can't you just picture a funeral procession a day if that was allowed at LSU?

• Speaking of LSU, the quarterback derby has begun. Former Trinity standout Stevan Ridley was working as the No. 1 fullback in spring practice, but injured his ACL on the second day and will apparently have surgery and three or four months of rehab. That's really sad and unfortunate. If you ever wonder about how true the old adage about hard work paying off, just check out Stevan's journey from a small private school in Natchez to the home of a national contender in the SEC.

• Southern Mississippi announced its 2009 football schedule. The Golden Eagles are opening against Alcorn State.

Well, Golden Eagle fans will enjoy the "Sounds of Dyno-mite."

Actually, it's good to see state schools playing each other. It still boggles the mind that Southern Miss is not playing Mississippi State or Ole Miss and that's not pointing the finger at any school because apparently they are all to blame.

What games do Florida fans look forward to the most out of conference? Miami and Florida State.

Somebody in Mississippi needs to put the fans first.

• My final four picks? Wake Forest, Connecticut, Duke and Oklahoma.


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