02
Sep
10

Breakdown LSU vs UNC

By espn977 Leave a Comment
Categories: football and lsu

LSU vs. UNC

Breakdown

QB:

LSU Jordan Jefferson is going into his second full season as starter for the Tigers. While his play has been less than stellar LSU coaches and players say he has had made a big jump in not only his decision making but also in his leadership. Should something happen to Jefferson Jarrett Lee does have starting experience.

UNC will go with veteran signal caller TJ Yates in the opener against the Tigers. Yates if you go by his numbers is one of the most productive qbs in Carolina history yet has been booed off the field numerous times in his 4 years in Chapel hill. Yates beat out redshirt freshman Bryan Renner who he split reps with during spring and fall practice. Yates won  because of his experience.

While Yates has the numbers, its numbers at a basketball school.

Advantage: LSU

RB:

Last season was a disaster in the running game for LSU. This is a program that has made a name for themselves over the last decade for being able to run the football against anyone in the country. Not the case last year. LSU made an emphasis in the spring to get back to this brand of football. Richard Murphy returns from injury, Steven Ridley got some experience last season, and Michael Ford who redshirted last season might have the most talent of the three. Also Spencer Ware a 5 star prospect from Ohio might see some time.

According to a report by Joe Schad of ESPN. The tarheels might not have a tailback to turn to in the Georgia dome.

Advantage: LSU

WR:

 

It looks like the lights finally came on for Terrance Tolliver last season

And he goes into 2010 as one of the top prospects at the Wide Receiver position. Reuben Randle didn’t get enough chances to shine last year but that should change this year. Russell Sheppard has made the move full time to WR and could be the most dangerous man in the country when he gets his hands on the football. Who steps up to be the fourth wr for the tigers will be interesting. Armand Williams from Slidell has garnered praise from Les Miles as has James Wright from Belle Chasse and Kadron Boone from Florida.

UNC has exactly what you want in ideal size at the WR position. 6’3 Eric Highsmith, 6’4 Dwight Jones, unfortunately it looks like the heels might be without their best WR in Greg Little who has been under the watchful eye of the NCAA recently. Will Butch Davis risk playing a guy under investigation? If Little plays I think this is closer, I don’t think he will.

Advantage: LSU

O-Line:

This was a huge blackeye for the Tigers last year. Gave up to many sacks and were terrible at run blocking. The line is pretty much the same except Barskdale will switch sides and Will Blackwell moves into starting full time. Les Miles put in the Big Cat drills during spring specifically to make the O-line tougher.

The UNC O-line is Big 6’3, 6’5, 6’6, 6’7 and wide everyone over 300 pounds. While I don’t think these big guys are great the tarheels did rush for close to 1800 yards last season.

Its not by much

Advantage: UNC

Dline:

LSU returns Drake Nevis who has never been a starter in name alone but has the experience. Pep Levingston makes the move inside to the other DT. The ends will be young but talented in Sam Montgomery and Juco Transfer Ken Adams. LSU will also deploy the explosive KEKE Mingo on third downs.

Boy UNC’s defensive line 3 months ago was looking like the best in college football. Then Marvin Austin got suspended indefinently and  Defensive end Robert Quinn might be suspended as well. Michael Mcadoo is 6’7 and is  a big old boy as is Quention Coples at 6’6. With Austin and Quinn playing this is easy for UNC. They aren’t.

Advantage: Push

LB:

Kelvin Sheppard is as good as anyone in the country. However flanking him are tough guys loaded with talent but little experience. Stefoin Francois finally gets his chance to shine and will be the hybrid LB/S. Ryan Baker has been a beast on special teams but hasn’t been a consistent LB.

UNC has Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Carter maybe the best 1&2 punch at Outside LB in the country. With Kevin Reddick anchoring the middle this position is the strength of  a great D.

Advantage: UNC

DB: Patrick Peterson is simply the best DB in the country. He stays healthy is a no doubt number1 draft pick. Morris Claiborne is going to get a lot of opportunities to make plays this year with people avoiding Peterson, I think he will make the most of it. The safety position is still up for grabs with Jai Eugene, Craig Loston and Brandon Taylor and Eric Reid fighting for the two last lines of defense for the Tigers. All talented LSU will have the top secondary in the SEC/

LSU has the best CB in the country and the tarheels have the best safety in Deunta Williams. The secondary is good at both levels. Charles Brown and Kendric Burney also have chances to be drafted next year. Very good

secondary.

Advantage: LSU

 Les Miles needs it and this Carolina team is loaded with distractions.

Final LSU 26 UNC 17

30
Aug
10

Cedar Creek Week 1 Preview/Jamboree Review

By espn977 Leave a Comment
Categories: cedar creek, football and high school

The Cougars made a good showing in their Jam at the Joe 2010 exhibition against defending 1A State Champs, the Haynesville Golden Tornadoes, but couldn’t come away with a win. The final score 9-12 Haynesville, belies exactly how exciting a game it was. Big plays, turnovers on both sides, and a solid defensive effort from the young Cougars all made the end of the pre-season a success even without bringing home the win.

In my interview with Coach Haddox today, he expressed pride and satisfaction in his team for the way they handled themselves against Haynesville as well as how they’ve responded to the less than perfect results in their scrimmage against Loyola and in the Jamboree. Though the final score didn’t reflect it, Cedar Creek dominated the game in time of possession, first downs and yardage. When you’re that successful, it’s tough to swallow walking away with a loss.

First year QB (and former WR) Adam Van displayed great ability with both his arm and his legs, scrambling for several Cedar Creek first downs. The Cougars will need him to make big plays just like on Saturday if they hope to contend for the Division title and a return to the playoffs. Senior receiver, Robert Ferron had several big catches and will be a great weapon for Van and the Cougars offense. Their biggest weapon, Austin Ginn, was largely left in the holster on Saturday, Coach Haddox not wanting to risk an injury in a pre-season game to the Junior Halfback and hub of the Cougar offense. Ginn was the leading rusher and receiver for the Cougars last season and should be at the top of both stat lists this year as well.

The O-Line, anchored by KJ Malone, did a solid job giving Van time to make plays only allowing one sack all afternoon. There were however several miscommunications at the line, high and low snaps that resulted in lost yards and one lost fumble. Taken as a whole, you like the effort of the Cougars, but as the regular season begins on Friday night, they’ll need to tighten up a bit on fundamentals and keep offensive slip-ups from sabotaging their offensive efforts.

Defensively, we only got a few glimpses of the aggressive, ball-greedy D that Coach Haddox has been promising. He told me that was largely a function of the offense that Haynesville presented and not representative of a change in direction. Look for more of the “attack the ball” mentality against Grambling Lab and continuing the rest of the season.

Turning the focus to Grambling gives us lots of question marks. Grambling brings in a new head coach as former coach Cedric Sherrod moves to Richwood High’s offensive staff. Grambling was a surprise last year and turned into a good story for the area. We’ll have to wait for Friday night to get a real look at what exactly Grambling has ahead of them this season.

For Cedar Creek fans, Friday can’t come soon enough. Coach Haddox, the Cougars and the team here at ESPN 97.7 are excited for the regular season and the next entry into the Cedar Creek Cougar story.

Written by Joel Sharpton. Let us know what you think here, on our Facebook page, or by calling us at 888-993-7762!

23
Aug
10

Cedar Creek Cougars Football 2010: What To Expect

By espn977 Leave a Comment
Categories: Uncategorized

“Just” Joel here. Or, “Crazy Joel” or “Frodo” or, You’re Friendly Office Computer Guy, or whatever Fox and Nick decide to call me the next time I’m on the show.

I’m going to be calling play by play for Cedar Creek Cougar football this season on our sister station, True Oldies 99.3. I got my first real look at this season’s Cougars this past Friday when Nick White and I traveled to Shreveport for their scrimmage against the Loyola Flyers.

As a Cougar fan, the end result was not what I wanted to see, a loss 20-7, but we did get glimpses of what looks to be a very promising run for Cedar Creek. This team is young, having lost offensive hub and last year’s QB, Jordan Scelfo, as well as some key defensive players. We’ve got a lot of underclassmen that are going to have to step up and play big minutes and anchor the locker room as well.

That’s the bad news. The good news: I think this team, and these players might be up for it. First year head coach, Ben Haddox has brought an excitement and an urgency to the Cougars. It’s not a complete overhaul of the philosophy and direction that Coach Aldredge had pushed for Cedar Creek as most of the coaching staff remains. Even Coach Haddox was an assistant under Aldredge and therefore carries a lot of the same ideas.

Three coaching staff changess (other than the promotion of Ben Haddox) are going to make a big difference in the Cougars attitude and actions this season.  Steven Taylor begins this season as the defensive coordinator. He shared the duties early last year and took over full defensive play calling later in the season. He (and Coach Haddox) are focusing on playmakers and athletic ability. The Cedar Creek Cougars are going to be fast and advantageous on the defensive side of the ball. They are going to swarm to the ball and strive to make the kind of exciting plays we saw from the New Orleans Saints D last season. Look for interceptions, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries. This team wants to be greedy.

Coach Van has moved up from the JV team to join the Varsity coaching staff. His intensity in last week’s practice that I sat in on was palpable. He is pushing hard hits, solid fundamentals on tackling (a big emphasis for the whole team) and continued involvement until the whistle blows. “No plays off” is a bit of a slogan for the team this year.

Jerry Little is the last addition/change to the coaching staff. Last year he served as TE coach for West Ouachita, this year he’s the Cougars’ Offensive Coordinator. Again, the focus is on speed and athleticism. Especially in their out of district schedule, the Cougars won’t always be able to match up size-wise with their opponents, but they’re going to put the best athletes on the field and look for them to make plays.

If the scrimmage Friday night proved anything, it’s that Cedar Creek is going to live and die by the turnover. They made some big plays against a higher division opponent, but had some blown coverages and some offensive miscues that put them in a hole they were unable to come back from. Of course, that was in a “game” that didn’t count, where the JV squad and many reserves got big minutes and the result didn’t really matter. One hopes that if these teams faced each other in the regular season, Cedar Creek could have come back and pulled out the win.

I’m excited about the Cougars season. I’m excited about their new head coach, several returning starters (most notably HB, Austin Ginn and QB, Adam Van on the offensive side and DE, Richard Jowers and CB, Bannon Martin on defense). If you’re a Cedar Creek Cougar fan, or a local high school athletics fan, you should be too.

Get your first look at Cedar Creek (and a ton of other local high school football teams) this Saturday at the Jam at the Joe. Tickets are just $10 for five games of football. It’s the best sports deal in the area. Tickets available the day of and the games begin at noon at Joe Aillet Stadium on Louisiana Tech Campus. Of course, all the games will be aired on ESPN Radio 97.7 and streamed live worldwide at our website.

After this weekend, you can catch me, Patrick Hall with color and the Cedar Creek Cougars each Friday night on True Oldies 99.3! Let’s get ready for football!

17
Aug
10

The Real King

By espn977 Leave a Comment
Categories: Media and basketball

33 Years ago yesterday, Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll died. I’ve always been an Elvis fan (though he was dead, four years and a month or so before I would exist), but this summer, the summer of King James, the anniversary of his death strikes me a bit harder than in years past.

My unabashed and unashamed (and some would say, unmanly) love for Lebron James has been well documented on this blog, on my personal blog,  on the air at ESPN 97.7, in my living room and in my morning conversations with my mirror (in order to find his equal, an Irishman is forced to talk to himself or the Almighty). But as I remember the King today, the Lebronference and The Decision leave a particularly nasty taste in my mouth.

In the 50’s, Elvis OWNED popular music (and therefore culture) in a way that it’s impossible for us to fully comprehend today. Then in ‘58, he went into the military. He began recording again in 1960 and made a ton of movies throughout the 60’s but things were different, the world was drunk on Beatlemania, Elvis was still Elvis, but the King had a wobbly throne.

For the sake of our blog here today, I kind of feel like that’s where Lebron was in his career this summer. He was the face of the NBA three years ago when he took his team to the Finals against San Antonio. Lebron. Not Kobe, not D-Wade, not Dwight Howard (three years ago, who the heck was Dwight Howard?). Since then, he’s had two terrible missteps against better teams and he’s allowed Kobe to further cement his hold on “Best Player in the Game” status. In 1968, Elvis needed a splash. In 2010, so did Lebron.

Elvis’ splash was the ’68 “Comeback” Special,  one of the most memorable, entertaining and celebrated live performances by an artist in the history of rock and roll. If you’ve never seen it, you really should give it a try. Elvis is at his most powerful, charismatic and in control in this performance. It’s the equivalent of Jordan’s ’95-’96 season. He’d been out of the league for a while, he’d had a disappointing return when the Bulls were knocked out of the playoffs by the Magic, he busted his butt in the off-season and the Bull’s won more games that year than anyone ever had. Elvis, went Alpha-Dog and did it by himself.

What Lebron did this offseason, is call up the Beatles and say, “Let’s make an album together!” Will it sell well? You bet it will. Will it put him on top of the record books in lots of categories (I think he’s pretty much a lock to average a triple double in at least one of the next two years)? Probably. Will it be his ’68 “Comeback” Special? Nope. Not even close. Elvis was nobody’s sideman. Lebron has chosen to be exactly that.

Has anyone in Rock ever done what Lebron did? Perhaps the name “The Traveling Wilbury’s” rings a bell? George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan and Jim Keltner began playing together in 1988. Members of the Beatles, the Heartbreakers, Electric Light Orchestra, one of the greatest freelance drummers and two of the great solo performers of their eras all combined to form a real life Supergroup. Two albums were recorded by the group between ’88 and ’90. Are the “Wilbury’s” good? Certainly. Did they have a few great songs? Yes, they did. But John Lennon and Paul McCartney didn’t join a supergroup. It was the third most popular Beatle. Robert Plant or even Steven Tyler didn’t trade in Zeppelin and Aerosmith to join teams. The guy from ELO did. What I’m saying is, this isn’t how the Gods of Rock do things.

I wish Lebron and Los Heat well. I think they’re going to be a lot of fun to watch. I think they’ll win rings (yes, plural). I think Lebron Hatred will subside as he posts numbers we never thought we’d see in the NBA again (and some we’ve never seen). But I’ll probably never get my ’68 “Comeback” Special out of him. And yesterday, mourning the loss of the real King, that made me a little sad.

Written by Joel Sharpton. Let us know what you think here, on our Facebook Page, or by calling us at 888-993-7762!

16
Aug
10

From the mind of Fox

By espn977 Leave a Comment
Categories: quickhits

Quick Hitters take 2:

-Saints lost first preseason game, don’t ever like losing. Ever. but is preseason
-Good: saints running game, bad: 1st team d, ugly: special teams
-What I’m looking for against Houston
-Offense scoring on first drive
-1st team d getting a 3 and out in first quarter
-What a story this Larry Beavers guy, great return for td.
-Larry Beavers better have another td or 2 if he wants to make team
-New madden video game, wow!
-Hornets trade Collison, get Trevor Ariza
-Don’t like losing eventual replacement for CP3
-After thinking about it, like the trade
-Hornets going all in now for CP3 and better today then were last week
-Still think this team will be fighting for 6-8 spot in west
-Los Heat comes to the arena Nov 5
-I’m calling my shot now, Hornets shock world and win that game
-Steven Ensminger named starting quarterback at Tech
-What a whirlwind, transfer from Auburn: punter, Te, now starting qb
-Talk about what a coaching change can do
-Prayers go out to GSU’s Christian Anthony
-Suffered an apparent heart-attack last week
-Ultra talented player who I hope hasn’t played last game
-Saw something special in the eye’s ULM’s Trey Revall
-Going to be the starting qb again at some point…Book it!
-LSU had first scrimmage of preseason Saturday
-True freshman James Wright (Belle Chasse) “James Wright” catches
-Which is another great Miles quote since nobody has seen him play before
-LSU might have the best secondary in the country
-Ok Tiger Woods, your human. Nice to see
-Now go back and dominate golf, the game needs it
-Tim Tebow didn’t throw a td pass in first game..Im shocked as well!

Written by Sean Fox –Man, Myth, Legend, and Sports Director of ESPN 97.7FM

12
Aug
10

An End to Lazy Days

By espn977 Leave a Comment
Categories: Uncategorized

Yesterday (according to this random website that may or may not be complete nonsense) is “Lazy Day”, a little known holiday to celebrate the dog days of summer. Enjoy the slower pace of the world while relaxing away from the smouldering heat of the summer.

Well, I like the idea of “Lazy Day”. Especially working in radio. Especially working in sports. Basketball is over, Baseball is just heating up, we’re still a couple of weeks away from real Football, it has been a little lazy around here recently! But all of that is about to be over. Already Fox and Nick are running through their High School Preview. Our play-by-play teams are visiting practices and meeting with coaches preparing for the impending season. We’re two weeks away from the “Bayou Jamb” and the “Jam at the Joe”. The Tech Happening is tonight. College football starts in 21 days. The NFL begins in 28.

Folks, the lazy days are over. So, I suggest you enjoy today as a “Lazy Day”. I’m gonna try. I’m gonna suggest all the staff take a long lunch, or those not on the air head home a little early. Crunch time is here. We’re about to get very busy.

This football season you can expect more from ESPN 97.7 than we’ve ever given in the past. More local shows, more coverage of high school, college and professional sports than any one else in the area can or will bring you. We’re stepping up our coverage and presentation, and we want you to be along for the ride.

The new website was the first big change. We’re now presenting our content in a style that is more consistent with the Worldwide Leader’s national sites. We’re working on bringing our streaming station to all computers and mobile devices (yes, that means your iPhone). We’re incorporating lots of local written content here on our blog and through our Facebook page and Twitter account.

As you may have already heard with the Hall of Fame Preseason Game, we’ve entered an agreement with Westwood One to bring you coverage of the NFL including some Saints and Cowboys games. No other station in our market will have more NFL games than ESPN 97.7

Through our sister stations, Z-107.5, True Oldies Channel 99.3 and Rejoice 1490, we will carry three college football teams (Grambling, LA Tech and LSU) and three high school teams (Ruston High, Cedar Creek and West Ouachita).

Your team not on those lists? Well enjoy our High School Scoreboard show Friday nights at 10p. Or maybe our High School Rewind Show Saturdays at 9am? Or get ready for Sunday afternoon with the Copeland’s Kickoff Show every Sunday at 10am. We’ll look at back at the College Football weekend and preview the Saints, Cowboys and other NFL games.

It would really be easier for me to just give you the full schedule of local programming so you’ll find that below. The main thing we want you to remember is if you love sports, ESPN 97.7 is where you want to be. Tell your friends, and enjoy your “Lazy Day”!

Written by Joel Sharpton. Let us know what you think here, on our Facebook Page or by calling us at 888-993-7762!

ESPN 97.7 Local Programming Fall 2010

  • Monday 6-7p  -  Sonny Dykes Show
  • Tuesday 6-8p  -  Tech Nation
  • Wednesday 6-7p  -  Fantasy Football Hour
  • Wednesday 7-8p  -  Les Miles Show
  • Thursday 6-7p  -  Pressbox with Santoria Black
  • Thursday 7-8p  -  Broadway Show
  • Friday 6:30-10p  -  West Ouachita Football
  • Friday 10-11p  -  High School Scoreboard with Sean Fox
  • Saturday 7-8a  -  Southern Pines Tee Time
  • Saturday 8-9a  -  The Nick Brown Show
  • Saturday 9-11p  -  The High School Rewind Show with Nick White
  • Sunday 10a-Noon  -  Copeland’s Kickoff with Sean Fox and Nick White
  • And, as always, Weekdays from 3-6p, Talkin’ Sports with Fox & Company!
05
Aug
10

Fantasy Friends

By espn977 Leave a Comment
Categories: NFL, fantasy sports and football

Since the summer of 2003, I’ve been living a fantasy. It was here before I met my wife, it’ll (God willing) be here when my divorce is final. I’m talking about my fantasy football league. The REAL one. You know, the one that counts.

If you’ve ever played Fantasy Football, then you know what I’m talking about. If you haven’t, then it may not make sense that some of our imaginary football games are more important than others, but that is exactly the case. I met the founders of my REAL league in the summer of 2003, in south central Ohio, playing Indians and Settlers.

Come on, that’s got to be a better story than how you found YOUR league-mates?

I was a young actor, just finished with my fourth year (but not my graduating year) of college. We were working at an outdoor drama performing nightly outside of Dayton, OH. It was probably the most fun I’ve ever had in my life. 40-some-odd 20-somethings with little responsibility, little experience and little supervision. It was brilliant. It was also impossible not to form fast friendships.

Towards the end of the summer, two of the guys I’d gotten to know best asked if I’d be interested in joining a fantasy football league. They said they loved to play fantasy football and this would be a good excuse for us to all keep in touch. If you are a man (or have ever met one) you know “keeping in touch” is not something men do very well. I liked these guys, had gotten used to having them in my life day to day, but I was going back to Louisiana and they were moving on to Kentucky, New York, L.A., wherever. We weren’t gonna call each other up and ask how our day was!

I’d never played fantasy before. I watched football but really only the Saints as a weekly effort. I enjoyed the game, but couldn’t find much reason to get excited about every game that came on. I figured I’d be terrible at it, but I’d give fantasy a try.

Seven years later, I’ve gotten closer to some of the guys in this league than with people I’ve known since high school. There are things that I’ve come to count on in my life, and one of them is beginning every August with our phone-tag, 18 round draft. In 7 full seasons we’ve only changed a handful of players and we’ve still got at least 7 of our original members. We’re not a fly-by-night operation is what I’m trying to say.

We spend weeks with our player breakdown magazines studying for the draft, we compare notes and offer “advice” to one another over the phone (the “advice” mostly consists of suggesting that this is the year Priest Holmes has a big comeback) and then finally draft over the course of the first two weeks of August. Why does it take two weeks? Because there are 10 of us. We all have jobs and families, responsibilities and schedules of our own. So, the Commish spends two weeks on the phone, answering emails and receiving texts like a Vegas bookie on the morning of a big fight.

Why do we do it?

1.  Because it’s fun. — Competition is always enjoyable, especially for men. It’s a blast to beat your buddy. It’s even better if you can do so in a public forum where you can shame him in front of his peers. Fantasy gives you both.

2.  Because it makes football even better. — The National Football league is by far the best run sports organization in the world. It is the most watchable and consistently enjoyable sports product on television or radio. Fantasy makes it even better. Every game is important, every facet of the game matters. There are no meaningless plays.

3.  Because men don’t really make new friends and we have to try hard to maintain the ones we do have. — This is the big one. Let’s explore.

When you’re in school (elementary, junior high, high school) you are constantly surrounded by a small group of people. These people likely come from roughly the same geographic area as you, their families probably make about as much money as yours does, they might even go to a very similar church. You have a natural and inherent basis for your friendships.

When you go to college, you are constantly meeting new people and experiencing new things. You are surrounded and confronted by new ideas in all areas and are exposed to cultures and lifestyles that you have never experienced. This makes it easy to make friends. Two very different people, experiencing big moments in life together build up a common set of experiences and therefore have a ground floor for a friendship to be built upon.

When you enter the workforce, things change. You are likely surrounded by people of vastly different economic and age demographics. If you are fortunate enough to work with people roughly your age, they are likely in similar jobs and therefore competing with you on some level. You can form and maintain office friendships, but it’s difficult.

Women deal with this generally by joining clubs or civic groups. They get active in the PTA or the local farmer’s market. If they meet another woman they like, they can just ask them out. Men…well, we’re not so enabled. It’s a difficult thing for a dude to ask another dude to be his friend. They made a whole movie about the problem recently starring Paul Rudd.

Even the friends we’ve known forever can fall by the wayside. We’re geographically far apart. Our jobs are so disparate. I’ve got kids, he doesn’t. He’s separated and he’s a newlywed. And then we’re just busy! Between being a good employee, a good husband or boyfriend, a good father and a good sleeper, there’s little time for playing “catch-up” with the gang.

So, I play games with my buddies to hang onto them. Is it that hard to understand why I’m so excited when my imaginary team of football players scores more imaginary points than HIS imaginary team of football players? Can you not see why I’m so pleased with myself when I get a dozen comments on my scathing message board post denouncing the intelligence, manhood and intestinal fortitude of that week’s opponent?

So this season, when the wife/girlfriend/landlord/supervisor badgers you about all the time you spend on your fantasy football team, just tell them, “I’m playing with my friends.” you don’t need any better reason than that.

Written by Joel Sharpton. Let us know what you think here, on our Facebook Page, or by calling us at 888-993-7762!

03
Aug
10

The Big Booboo: Lebron’s Letter

By espn977 Leave a Comment
Categories: Media, NBA and basketball

“Big Z” Zydrunas Ilgauskas, formerly of the Cleveland Cavaliers and currently of the Miami Heat, took out a full page ad in the Cleveland Plain Dealer thanking the city and its people for their support over the years. It is heartfelt, sincere and touching.

Lebron “King” James, also formerly of the Cleveland Cavaliers and currently of the Miami Heat, took out a full page ad in the…Akron Beacon Journal and thanked the city of Akron and its people for their support and love, while never once mentioning the city of Cleveland.

Let’s get some things straight. I love Lebron James. He is my favorite athlete, not just my favorite basketball player. I enjoy watching him play more than any one since Michael Jordan and I occasionally debate with myself whether I prefer James over His Airness. I liked the move to Miami. I hated the way that it was done (an hour is overblown for Presidential press conferences, for a basketball player it’s ludicrous) but I believe in the long run it was the absolute best basketball decision for Lebron. I’m excited to see this team play. Not just the big three stars, but all the role players and backups as well. This looks like one of the 90′s Bulls teams. Shooters, veteran big men and two of the best players in the game (Bosh is just frosting).

I also thought the reaction from Dan Gilbert and the city at large was over the top. I can understand the frustration and disappointment from the fans, but the complete animosity towards a young man for making a business decision is ridiculous. Gilbert just showed exactly how petulant and childish he is. Good luck in the next round of Free Agency, sir.

But this letter from LeBron is a mistake. A big one. Let’s assume that some of the rumors we’ve all heard about the behind the scenes drama between LeBron and some of his teammates are true. Let’s assume that personal matters forced LeBron’s hand as to choosing to leave. Let’s further assume that he blamed management for some of the things that might have happened (I hate having to dance around something like this) and decided to get them back by not giving them a head’s up that his decision had been made.

He still shouldn’t have written this letter. I know Dan Gilbert’s letter was much worse. It was a direct slap at James, questioning his heart, his spine, his maturity and his abilities. Abilities that Gilbert was rather recently ready to pay $130 million for. Gilbert’s letter was mean and it was meant to cause a reaction. Something that Gilbert could point to and say, “See? He was always like this! We’ve been duped. Our hero was a phoney!” Well, now, LeBron has given it to him.

You want to thank Akron specifically? Then write a letter and take out the ad, but do so in conjunction with a letter to the Plain Dealer. The people of Cleveland have raised you up on a pedestal for the last 7 years. You have been a King in your own hometown (and the greater Metropolitan area) since you were still just a boy. Did most of them turn their backs on you when you made a choice they didn’t like? Sure. But they were still there for you, before you were the two-time MVP, give them the thanks they deserve. Big Z has been a mentor and friend to you for your entire NBA career. It was a brilliant idea to get him to follow you to Miami. It would be even more brilliant if you followed his lead on dealing with your former team.

Written by Joel Sharpton. Let us know what you think here, on our Facebook Page or by calling us at 888-993-7762!

27
Jul
10

From the mind of Fox

By espn977 Leave a Comment
Categories: Uncategorized

Some quick hitters…Talk amongst yourselves:

-         I think its nice that CP3 said he wants to stay in New Orleans.

-         I don’t really believe he wants to stay

-         I think the Hornets need to make the playoffs to have any chance to keep him

-         I think once Lane Kiffin gets fired from USC he will never be a coach in D1 and NFL again

-         I wish Cowherd would quit comparing Kiff to Meyer and Saban. The guy has never done anything. Oh yea he lead UT to a 7-6 season.

-         I think T.O. to the bengals would be fascinating tv with Ochocinco

-         I wish that Ocho could still celebrate like he used to

-         I think if T.O. ends up in NY the Jets would look like a 2005 pro bowl team

-         I think it was a slap in the face for Dez Bryant not to carry Roy Williams pads

-         Before you even say it…Its not about Roy Williams its about Rookies and Veterans

-         I have finally relented..Twitter is a necessary evil. I still wont start an account

-         Another no hitter in baseball.

-         The Cubs are going to make an incredible run to the post season for sweet Lou

-         Ok maybe not but I need something to get me through the next 4 weeks

-         So Kim Kardashian is now dating Miles Austin .Damn its tough to keep up with those Kardashians

-         Watched the replay of Saints vs. Cardinals on NFL Network Sunday

-         Reggie Bush was scary good. Best game he has ever played in the league

-         Saints start training camp Friday. Time to put to bed last year.

-         Really interested to see how Payton lights a fire under these guys

-         Really appreciate the shout out from Derek Dooley at SEC media days

-         I think this was a destination job for DD and don’t fault him for leaving

-         Both Tech and Dooley are better off now than they were before he got to Ruston

-         LSU will only go as far as Jordan Jefferson takes them

-         I think since LSU is an afterthought LES pulls the rabbit out of the hat..Yes pun is intended

-         How bout the warhawks getting 7 verbal commits in July. Has that ever happened?

-         I think Tech will finish better than 7 in the WAC. That’s according to the coaches

-         Who knew that Navy won 10 games last year? Pretty good program going. Tougher game for tech than most dawg fans think

-         I think Christian Anthony from Grambling will be the best SWAC player to go to the NFL since Steve Mcnair.

-         I think I should do every blog this way.

Written by Sean Fox. Write a comment or call into Fox and Company from 3-6pm.

20
Jul
10

The Next Phenom

By espn977 Leave a Comment
Categories: MLB, Media and baseball

“With the first pick in the 2009 MLB Draft, the Nationals select Pitcher Stephen Strasburg from San Diego State,” Bud Selig announced last year.  Stephen Strasburg signed a 15.1 million dollar contract in August 2009, which is the highest paid contract for a rookie since Mark Prior. Could Strasburg be the next big thing in baseball?

Strasburg was one of the most hyped players to enter the draft in a very long time.  He ended his college career with a 13-1 record with 195 strikeouts, 19 walks, 59 hits, and 16 earned runs allowed.  He almost led his team to Omaha, but they lost to Virginia in the Regionals.  Looking at those stats, no other player has ever recorded those numbers in a single season.  Strasburg was the real deal in college and I believe he will be the real deal in the Pros.

Strasburg whipped through the Minors with no problem, so I will just go ahead get to the pros.

Strasburg made his debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 8.  He pitched 7 innings, 14 strikeouts, no walks, and two earned runs.  14 strikeouts and no walks in a game, that’s pretty damn good in my book.  But, you had your critics out there, “the Pirates were batting .218 at the time, they are the worst team in the league and he had no competition.” If I’m not mistaken, these guys play “PRO BASEBALL”. So, no excuses should be given on his performance.  Strasburg has 4 pitches that are sick.  His breaking ball seems like it breaks about 20 ft. (yes I am exaggerating by the way).

Strasburg is a great ambassador for baseball and I believe he has helped the game out a lot by giving it so much attention and trying to bring back America’s Past Time to a positive light.  So far this season, he is 2-2 with 48 strikeouts, 7 walks, and a 2.27 ERA. I know most hitters have not seen him and once they learn his style and how he attacks, batters may be able to get to him and then the real test will begin.  I think he will be fine and be the next big pitcher in the MLB.

Written by Drew “McLovin’” Faulkner. Let us know what you think here, on our Facebook Page or by calling us at 888-993-7762!

« Previous Entries

ESPN 97.7′s Twitter Feed

  • An absolute tragedy in Farmerville. Please keep the Morgan family in your prayers as well as the Farmerville... http://fb.me/zI58tqTH 17 hours ago
  • Still need some help from folks to give us score updates for HS Football on Friday nights. Wanna help? Message Nick White or Sean Fox 4 days ago
  • Still need some help from folks to give us score updates for H.S. football on Friday nights. If you would like to... http://fb.me/yVe7ll5M 4 days ago
  • Boys and Girls the college football season begins tonight: Whats your level of excitement going into tonight? 4 days ago
  • Derek Dooley strikes again: http://fb.me/HsJUrIjC 4 days ago

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Archives