Superdome's Blog

The Wing T Crew wishes to thank all its listeners and comments thus far. This is a relatively new show and we are striving to improve each week. We have received several requests about how to access the show on the web or listen to podcasts of prerecorded shows. We are working to hopefully make this possible very soon!

This blog will also serve to be the first installment of "The Rant". This is something I plan to update each week on sports related topics. This week, I have 3 things I need to air out:

1. The new rules instituted in football (college and up) are quickly turning the contact sport of football into Flag Football. I am certain the founding fathers of this great game are turning over in their grave. First, let me say I am all for protecting players from serious and/or career ending injury and the spirit of the rule is for players in an unprotected or vulnerable position. What I think they mean to say is if it even remotely looks like it might injur a meal ticket player like an All-Pro QB or Heisman candidate, then protect him at ALL COSTS. How is a defensive lineman who has been battling double and triple teams all game and finally breaks free supposed to stop on a dime if the QB no longer has the ball? Yet, it is perfectly ok for offensive players (usually tight ends and backs) to dive at the defensive players legs (as long as he is not engaged in another block) OR if its a QB like Brady Quinn, he can do it and injur the LB and only get fined $10K (chump change), what kind of message is that? So, what we all were taught, "NEVER give up or don't stop until the whistle blows" only applies unless you are lunging at the QB below the knees since this is how Tom Brady missed last season. The officials now are so paranoid, they throw the flag whenever it looks like contact is made near the upper body. I have seen outcomes of games effected by these calls. I have an idea, let them PLAY THE GAME. Last I checked, this is TACKLE FOOTBALL, it's not intramurals. If you don't like it, go play intramurals brother. How about letting the replay officials earn their money and work with the NCAA and NFL to review games and hand our suspensions or fines (that really send a message) prior to the next game. Since it's a judgment call, it can't be challenged during the game. I believe the officials take enough pride in what they do that they can discern the cheap shots from aggressive play. To be clear, I do not condone spearing. Unfortunately, this have become en vouge since we now have highlights dedicated to the 10 ten hits and ESPNs "Jacked Up" segments, this type of play is glorified. After coaching youth football for 8 years, I do not claim to be an expert, but I can say kids emulate what they see on TV. Trying to knock a player off his feet without wrapping up is now considered cool. Until coaches (at all levels) demand proper technique for the players' safety, this will not change. So, I am just waiting for the day where we all trade in the pads for those pretty little red and yellow velcro flags we used in Grey-Y. Heck, most players these days don't even wear leg pads, so were almost there!

2. B-C-S...need I say more? Let's call it what it really is, "The Big Conference Series". Sorry non BCS schools, you can represent our institution, but you just can't sit at the big boy table (even when the bog boys are pathetic). Why is it the NCAA has created a system where EVERY other sport can prove who the true champion is on their field of play (even every division in football EXCEPT Division I)? Unfortunately, it because of what most think makes the world go 'round...the almighty dollar. They even have their own cute code name now, the "FBS". Is the NCAA no longer good enough? The NCAA cannot afford to pass up the revenue from the TV contracts, etc. especially in today's economy, right? Basically, we are telling the non BCS schools that they must somehow look into a crystal ball and schedule their 4 non-confernce games against the top 10 BCS teams 6-8 years prior to that season (good luck). Oh, by the way, you will have to play them on their field. You know Boise State, Cincinnati and TCU have all attempted to do this. Cincy scheduled a home and home with Oklahoma. TCU has played Oklahoma and Texas on their field and Boise played Oregon this year. Let's remember Boise also beat Oklahoma in their only shot at a BCS game in one of the most exciting games I have ever seen (and I am a die hard OU fan). Guess what, after they do that and start to win those games like Boise did against Oregon, what will happen? No BCS school, in their right mind, will ever schedule those games again. So, the media giants, big corporate sponsors will continue to control Div. I football. Maybe I missed something, but last I checked the NCAA was still amatuer sports and shouldn't they get to decide who the best is? Someone was smart enough to create a computer ranking system. You can't tell me someone is not smart enough to establish an 8-10 team bracket, where the first round games are at the higher seed's home and the next 3 games are rotated each year with the 4 original BCS bowl sites (the 4th can be a 3rd and 4th place game or #9 against #10). Heck, you could even use the present conference championship games as part of the 1st round (so Dr. Pepper and Phillips 66 don't get all bent out of shape). OR, better yet, get rid of the conference championship games (especially since not all BCS conferences play them) and 1 or 2 non-conference names to make up for the 3 rounds of the playoff. The money can be pro-rated for the winning teams as they advance. But hey, doing this would mean the country's favorites (like the USCs and Floridas) may not be champion. I am well aware my beloved Sooners won't be either, but at least the teams who actually play a legit schedule don't have to jump off a bridge on Monday if they lose 1 or 2 games. Plus, this could potentially set the stage for a Cindarella story some year. We all know Hollywood is looking for the next feel good underdog sports story, right?

3. Lastly, let me put Urbana High School sports under the microscope for a moment. How is it that a program with a once proud tradition of success has declined to the level it is today? I am not here to bash the coaches or administration. My hope is to spark some thought and inspire some support that will lead to some change. Living in Oklahoma, I have seen some once proud schools who used to dominate now barely field a team. Being a metropolitan school in OKC, you become literally land locked. Also, the school CAN follow the ebb and flow of the local economy (but does not have to). First, let me address the latter financial issue. I have to say I am amazed that students must now pay to participate in athletics at UHS AND pay to go to their end of the season banquet. Are you kidding me?!?! I do not claim to know the internal budget of the school. However, let me say what this communicates to me as an outsider. When fund raising becomes a challenge, just turn to those you know will pay (the ones who want to participate). This seems backwards to me. I can tell you I would be speaking with someone who could tell my why that is if that were the case for my boys. I am very thankful the schools here still believe that everyone (7th grade and up) deserves an equal opportunity to participate in sports. Now, knowing Urbana like I do, you cannot convince me it is a land locked community. So, how can the culture of UHS truly be changed? How can an administration or coaching staff communicate a winning attitude? For me, I believe it is extremely difficult unless you have personnally experienced success or been a part of a successful program. Does that mean it's hopeless if the coaches or AD have not experienced this? Absolutely not, but I do believe they can network with local programs on the rise to create a resource to learn from. In my experience, I have observed two very necessary ingredients to success. Every school I go to (no matter the size or type - small school, middle school, Jr. High, etc.), ALL celebrate their past. You enter and see all their accomplishments past and present and their alumni are celebrated. I realize dusty old cups do not create wins today, but I challenge you to convince me it doesn't give the present students a sense of pride. Secondly, any program can have one (out of the blue) good season only to return to mediocracy the next without a youth feeder program. This is VITAL to ANY high school program. I believe the coaches at UHS are dedicated, hard working individuals who want nothing but the very best for our athletes. However, they cannot do it alone. What I say next is as blunt as I can make it. Parents, the kids need to PUT DOWN THE PS3, XBOX or GET OFF THE COMPUTER and get outside. Tanglefoot and I made stuff up to play. Little do they know, but being active fine tunes their motor skills and actually improves their ability. Just imagine what they could do if they practiced as much as they played on the XBOX. So, parents, it MUST start with you. I can hear the responses now..."I don't have time to worry about getting my kids to practice", "you don't know my situtation", "I barely have time to sleep". This may be very true, but I know many families who have at least 5 or more kids and they somewhow make it work so their kids have an opportunity. I do know we ALL will MAKE TIME for what is most important to us. Will being part of the re-building process be glamorous? No. Will you be remembered in UHS lore for being part of the team that started the turnaround? Probably not, but you will be able to take pride in knowing your were part of something bigger than yourself.

That's it for now Urbana. I want to encourage all of you to comment and send me your questions regarding anything sports, as we want to start a segment on the show called "Roam the Dome", where you explore the vast expanse known as the mind of Superdome and test his sports knowledge. Bring them on, this is your community and your show. Peace.