TheSouthernSportsEdition.com
Jaguars Preview
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
In sports the question ‘will this be the year’ associated with particular fan base is always comes up right before the beginning of a new season.
In these parts, you can ask this question in regards to the Georgia Bulldogs, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Florida Gators, Atlanta Falcons, and the list goes on.
Today we are going to ask this question about the Jacksonville Jaguars. Coming off a draft where the Jags added Leonard Fournette to spice up the running game and Cam Robinson to shore up an offensive line you start asking yourself why can’t this be the year for Jacksonville?
Who is Brooks Koepka
By: Christian Goeckel
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
A familiar presence was absent from the events of this year’s U.S. Open. A towering figure had left us late last year. For the first time in 64 years, Arnold Palmer would not be around for the American championship.
No doubt Palmer, in his prime, would’ve been ecstatic to take on the long, open course of Erin Hills. Palmer’s hulking physique and fierce ball striking perfect for the wide open holes.
Instead, the honor fell on the similarly large shoulders of Brooks Koepka. The Florida native, with ties to western Pennsylvania like Palmer, stoically took on the challenge of a course that was featured by the U.S. Open for the first time.
Sticky Tar Heels
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Trying to follow the NCAA’s investigation into a college programs potential violation can oftentimes feel a lot like watching a M. Night Shyamalan movie.
They usually drag on much longer than needed, and while you think you’ve figure out a logical conclusion, the ending is almost always different; and I don’t mean that in a good way.
After the penalties came down for Louisville’s own version of Risky Business, there has been a lot of speculation that the University of North Carolina should be worried. If these are the consequences for what happened on the Cardinals’ campus, then the hammer must be coming down on the Tar Heels, right?
The Game June 17
Ya’ll From Around Here?
By: Christian Goeckel
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Father’s Day is right around the corner and as we come into the weekend another yearly tradition approaches. Dad and/or grandpa telling us to leave him alone, the U.S. Open is on.
Golf? Who watches golf? Believe it or not, a lot of us do. There’s nothing quite like the state of nirvana you slip into after eating a huge lunch and sinking into the couch, watching pro’s hit shots you dream of hitting. It’s hours of relaxation, sprinkled with moments of heart stopping majesty. And Dad deserves that on his day right?
Now I get it, why would you want to watch that? It’s not like bowl season or march madness, where you have betting pools going on. It can be a little tedious watching guys you’ve never even heard of. “Where’s Tiger?” “Wait, Phil isn’t playing because of his daughter’s graduation?” All valid points, but if you can find a couple guys that you have vested interest in watching, it changes everything. So, to help you find those guys, here’s a list of a bunch of dudes with ties to the area. Who doesn’t love pulling for the hometown guy?
Harris English: Harris is about as hometown as it gets. The Valdosta resident is a UGA grad and apparently loved Frat beach so much that he now calls St. Simons home. Highest U.S. Open Finish: 2016 T-37
Zach Johnson: This former Masters and Open champion currently resides on St. Simons, and trains at the Sea Island Golf Performance Center. Johnson is one of the most respected men on tour, and is a wonderful ambassador for the Golden Isles. Highest U.S. Open Finish: 2016 T-8
Kevin Kisner: Another St. Simons resident and another Dawg. Kisner has been one of the most consistent players on Tour, with his name seemingly stuck on the leaderboards. The winner of two events on Tour, Kevin also trains at the Sea Island Golf Performance Center. Highest U.S. Open Finish: 2015 T-12
Matt Kuchar: KUUUUUUUCHHHH! Matt Kuchar is a fan favorite on tour, ever since he played as an amateur at the Masters twice while at Georgia Tech. A Sea Island resident, Kuchar has eight career top 10 finishes in Majors, and has been a member of the last 4 Ryder Cup teams. Highest U.S. Open Finish: 2010 T-10
Patrick Reed: Reed, an Augusta State grad, is one of the fastest rising stars in the game. In just his sixth year on tour, Reed has put together 5 wins to go along with 2 Ryder Cup appearances. His aggressive play and fiery attitude has made him a great player to watch. Highest U.S. Open Finish: 2015 T-14
Brandt Snedeker: The golden locks of Brandt Snedeker have become a familiar site on Tour. To date, Brandt has 8 wins on tour, and has 8 top 10 finishes in Majors. He is a St Simons resident and trains at the Sea Island Golf Performance Center. Highest U.S. Open Finish: 2015 8th
Bubba Watson: Bubba Watson is just plain fun to watch play. The two-time Masters champion consistently crushes the ball over 315 yards, and has no problem playing a hook out of the woods. The former Dawg is married to another UGA alum, Angie Watson, who played Basketball for Georgia. Highest U.S. Open Finish: 2007 T-5
Davis Love IV: No, that’s not a typo. Davis Love III’s oldest son, Dru (short for quadruple) will be making his U.S. Open debut. The 6’5 Love won’t be doing it alone though. His father, with his 21 tour victories, will be caddying for him this weekend. That’s right, the two time Ryder cup captain and the man many credit for St. Simons golf being where it is will be toting his son’s bag all over Erin Hills. This has to be the best father-son moment in golf since Jack Nicklaus’ Masters win in ‘86.
So, don’t give dad a hard time on Sunday. Sit down and join him. Let him tell you all the stories I just did and all the ones you’ve heard a million times. It’ll be the best part of his day.
All Time Warriors
By: Kenneth Harrison Jr.
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The 2016-17 NBA season is officially over. Golden State defeated Cleveland 129-120 in Game 5 to win their second championship in three years. Kevin Durant won his first ring and was named Finals MVP.
This makes me wonder, how does this Golden State team stack up against all-time great teams? I think they might be one of the best ever.
Bob Stoops To Georgia
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
That time of year that a majority of sports don’t look forward to is right around the corner. All the college teams have finished up their seasons, the only professional league going is Major League Baseball (not much to cheer about once again for those us in the Southeast), and football is still more than a month away.
For a desperate few, they will turn to tennis and golf; two sports I’m not averse to watching, but I realize I’m in the minority.
Since this is the start of a slow period, it’s also the perfect time to ask some of those hypothetical questions that there just enough time for when you’re busy writing about whether Matt Ryan will be able to repeat as MVP, or if John Calipari really is Bill Paxton’s character from True Lies. (I may be onto something there).
So, I’m going to ask a question where there is at least a 50/50 chance you’ve asked yourself this already; If Georgia underperforms this upcoming season, and it’s obvious Kirby Smart is struggling, does Georgia send out their own Bat Signal with hopes of having Bob Stoops answer the call?
Coming Into The Tribe
By: TJ Hartnett
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The fact that a huge chunk of draftees won’t see the bigs for years, if ever, always makes the Major League Baseball draft a little less sexy than the NFL or NBA drafts.
With a less national fanfare and significantly less national visibility for their prospects baseball’s annual selection process tends to attract less attention but that isn’t to say that it isn’t worthy of a deeper dig for baseball fans who are in it for the long haul.
After the acquisition of Matt Kemp last season, the Braves’ offense lifted Atlanta from the scrap heap of squads and placed the Braves’ 2017 draft pick at number five.
The Game June 10
Swing Your Sword
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
As I always say it is never too early to talk Pirate Football.
When you follow a program as closely as I have followed the BHS program as a former player and now broadcaster you develop some special bonds with former and current players.
One of those current players that I am really close to is senior LB Kam Futch. Futch is one heck of a football player.
