TheSouthernSportsEdition.com
SSE Minute Feb 24
Braves Spring Training
By: TJ Hartnett
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The day after the Braves were mathematically eliminated from postseason contention in 2014 they fired General Manager Frank Wren.
It was merely the first domino in the Braves’ rebuild, a process that saw big league player after big league player traded away for prospects, tearing down what had been a division winning team just one year earlier and beginning to build back up.
When John Hart and John Schuerholz started making these moves, the boilerplate comforting line was that Atlanta would be built back up into a contending team by the time they moved into their new ballpark, Suntrust Park, in 2017.
Of course, that was ridiculous. There was no way a team was going to trade away Jason Heyward, Justin Upton, Craig Kimbrel, Evan Gattis, Andrelton Simmons and more and then in TWO YEARS field a team that was anything but hard to watch. It was a fool’s errand. How could the Braves be in a position to excite their fan base in 2017?
Now, as February winds down and the spring games begin, ramping up for the 2017 season, how do the Braves look?
Honestly?…..Exciting.
Not World Series winning exciting; not yet. But against all odds, the Braves are going to field a decent team this year. Stranger still, that excitement rests on the backs of veteran players. All those prospects the Braves traded for aren’t even here yet. Instead, the Braves are looking to Matt Kemp and Brandon Phillips, to Bartolo Colon and R.A. Dickey; these are the players that have elevated the Braves to being a team that is going to win its fair share of ballgames.
There were times just last season where it seemed like the Braves were never going to win another game. Yet here we are, looking to break camp with an eye on finishing above the Phillies and Marlins in the division.
It’s exciting to have these players, not because they’ll carry the team but because they have a chance to support Freddie Freeman and Julio Teheran.
The Braves have had the centerpieces for years, there’s just been a void surrounding them. Now, as evidenced by the last month and a half of 2016, there’s an actual, living, breathing offense surrounding Freddie Freeman.
The pitching staff that showed its youth last season has been bolstered by stability but more importantly, by players that aren’t permanent. Bartolo Colon is going to start every fifth day, but you can be sure that he won’t be blocking anyone. If there’s a pitcher ready to come up to the bigs and stay, bet on John Coppolella moving those veterans out of the way.
Perhaps that’s part of the excitement. The Braves have had the talent in the farm system, but some, like Aaron Blair, didn’t have enough time to cook down there.
This year, the pressure is off the Braves to present those prospects to the public before they’re ready because they’ve got those veterans in place. So when we see players come up from the minors, they’ll be ready.
Some of that has already begun. Dansby Swanson will be the starting shortstop on opening day in 2017. Ozzie Albies won’t be far behind. Rio Ruiz is in camp and hungry to make his mark in Atlanta.
Look, the Braves didn’t acquire Chris Sale in the offseaon, they got Bartolo Colon. They didn’t trade for Brian Dozier, they traded for Brandon Phillips. There are obviously younger players in their primes than what the Braves have in Atlanta but look at last year’s stats for Phillips. That’s a guy who hit .291 now playing second base for the Braves.
Bartolo Colon won 15 games and was an All-Star last year. Now he’s the Braves number two pitcher.
It’s very unlikely that the Braves will make the postseason this year. But if we judge success on achieving the impossible, then Atlanta has already won; because the 2017 season starts soon and I’m excited.
Letter To Ole Miss Fan
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
My oldest daughter Alexia is an avid Ole Miss fan. I dedicate this article to my loving daughter. The NCAA released a list of new allegations alleged committed by Ole Miss. Here is the bulleted list:
A prospective student-athlete went hunting near campus on private land owned by a booster during his official visit in 2013 and on two or three occasions after he enrolled, and that the access to this land was arranged by the football program.
- A former staff member impermissibly arranged lodging and transportation for a prospective student-athlete and his companions while providing impermissible transportation to another prospective student-athlete. The total value is alleged to be $2,272. The football program has also been alleged of giving $235 in free meals to a prospective student-athlete.
- Former staff member violated the NCAA principles of ethical conduct when committing violations and when providing false information to the institution and enforcement staff.
- Former staff member initiated and facilitated two boosters that gave impermissible cash payments to a prospective student-athlete of anywhere between $13,000 to $15,600.
- Former staff member arranged for a friend of a prospective student-athlete’s family to get impermissible merchandise, valued at approximately $2,800. The school will contest.
- Head coach Hugh Freeze had impermissible, in-person, off-campus contact with a prospective student-athlete.
- A booster provided money, food and drinks to a prospective student-athlete at a value between $200 and $600. The school will contest.
- Head coach Hugh Freeze violated head coach responsibility legislation. The school will contest
- The school lacked institutional control and failed to monitor the conduct and administration of its athletics program. The school will contest.
In response to these allegations Ole Miss imposed the following penalties on itself:
Ole Miss has self-imposed a one-year ban from the postseason and will forfeit its share of the SEC postseason football revenue for this upcoming year, which is expected to be somewhere in the range of $7-8 million.
Who did not see this dumpster fire coming in Oxford? When the dreaded lack of institutional control charge is thrown out there then usually more sanctions are coming.
Does Ole Miss really think the NCAA is going to accept these self-imposed sanctions and just turn the other cheek? I can see loss of scholarships on the horizon. And this one year bowl ban? I thought Ole Miss served that last year? My bad they went 5-7.
Flashback to September 24th, 2016. My oldest daughter and her friend Caroline take an SEC road trip to Oxford for the Georgia game. Dad is having his best day of 2016 on River Street in Savannah watching the game in a local tavern and the texts start coming from oldest daughter when Ole Miss starts blowing out my Dawgs.
Dad knew UGA was in trouble that day, and I did make the comment that sanctions were coming and you better enjoy this while you can.
I knew Ole Miss was on borrowed time back in September so what did I do, I shook it off and shopped in a store my oldest daughter loves and sat and enjoyed a lovely day in the oak filled squares in downtown Savannah and did not buy her a single thing.
The NCAA is about to rent every available office in Oxford, Mississippi to investigate the Ole Miss Football program. Welcome back to the status you have grown accustomed to since Johnny Vaught retired Rebel fans and that is the status of a bottom feeder.
Did I mention how much I love River Street and Downtown Savannah? The ride home on 95 South that day was magical. I was still getting scoreboard shot texts from first born child.
What does Hotty Toddy mean anyway? Does it mean NCAA probation?
As for you oldest Ole Miss fan daughter, I think I’ll take your baby sister shopping this weekend. She loves the Georgia Bulldogs, and you love NCAA sanctions. Have a great day!
Hotty Toddy,
Dad
What Jaguars Got For Julius Thomas
By: Drayton Hogarth
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
We are still a couple of weeks away from the official start for NFL free agent signings, but the Jacksonville Jaguars have been the talk of the NFL offseason so far.
The Jaguars have wasted no time in making two separate but related trades with their in-state counterparts, the Miami Dolphins.
The deal basically works as follows: Jacksonville sends tight end, Julius Thomas to Miami for offensive lineman, Brandon Albert; along with an exchange of late round draft picks. Miami sends their pick in this year’s draft, while Jacksonville’s pick won’t switch until next season.
Two seasons ago, the Jaguars made a huge move in free agency by signing Julius Thomas, the tight end who was highly productive for the Denver Broncos; back to back seasons of 12 touchdowns lead to big time contracts.
Thomas was never able to live up to the signing and never became the touchdown target for Blake Bortles that the Jaguars envisioned. The Dolphins have a plethora of quality offensive tackles on their roster, so many in fact that they have had to move a couple of them inside to play guard. It is kind of a play your best five mentality.
Brandon Albert will be entering his ninth season in the league and could provide the Jaguars a much needed protector for Bortles, as well as a road grader to help an anemic running game. This trade is truly a win-win on paper for both teams.
I mentioned earlier that Julius Thomas was a big time touchdown magnet while in Denver. Well, his offensive coordinator was Adam Gase. Gase just so happens to be the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. Thomas and Gase’s familiarity with each other should provide the spark that Thomas needs to regain that double-digit touchdown form that he achieved in the Mile High City.
As much as Jacksonville needs an offensive tackle, as we have seen, Luke Joeckel and Kelvin Beachum have not lived up to their potential, or more so have been so injury prone that they have been salary cap nightmares for Jacksonville.
Although Albert’s career has not been without injury, the Jaguars have to hope that him missing extended time in all three of his Dolphins seasons is a thing of the past. The Dolphins should be able to handle the loss of Albert by shifting the young Laremy Tunsil, who will be entering his second season out to be their new left tackle.
This trade for Jacksonville and Miami helps set up both franchises for the rest of their offseason focus. Jacksonville will now be allowed to look to the draft to bring in playmakers and not take a chance on another possible lineman bust from the draft.
The Jaguars can bring in the proven lineman and allow rookie playmakers, possibly Florida State’s Dalvin Cook, to play behind the improved offensive line.
Miami needs a red zone target for quarterback Ryan Tanneyhill, and the history that Julius Thomas and Adam Gase have together is too much to overlook.
As well, Miami, who is likely closer to a deep playoff run, will free up about $45 million in salary cap room once Albert’s contract is off the books. Look for the Dolphins to take a run at DeSean Jackson, or possibly another interior offensive lineman, as this will be a very deep class in free agency at that position.
Often sports trades are one-sided. In this situation both franchises and players can be seen as winning with this deal. Sometimes it is just a matter of a change of scenery that can help restart productive careers.
One gets a sense that for both Julius Thomas and Brandon Albert this may be that exact case. Both players and their new teams should see immediate returns on this deal. In an offseason that is sure to be full of trades and free agent signings, keep this deal in mind for these two teams as big deals that happened early in the process.
Gators Chomping For SEC Title
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
For the last, oh I don’t know, however many years John Calipari has been at Kentucky, the Wildcats have been far and away the best team in the SEC.
They almost always have the most talent, and as much as Calipari annoys me with most everything he says and does when searching for a microphone to put in front of that smug face of his, he is one hell of coach.
This year however, it’s a little different. To me, the best team in the conference, and certainly the team playing the best right now, are the Florida Gators.
When Florida hired Mike White to lead their basketball after Billy Donovan bolted for the NBA’s version of Hatfields vs. McCoys in Oklahoma City, most fans probably had no idea who White was. I can’t really blame them.
To be honest, when I heard the name Mike White I actually thought of this guy (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_White_(filmmaker).
When you’ve had the type of success that Donovan had in Gainesville, hiring someone that nobody has heard of isn’t always the most popular choice.
Regardless of his anonymity, White is making Jeremy Foley look like a genius. In only his second year, the Gators are not only neck and neck with Kentucky for the SEC regular season crown, but are doing so with a bunch players nobody has really heard of.
When I watched Florida play Duke earlier this season I knew of Kasey Hill, but the remaining roster might have been made up of the Lost Boys from Neverland, for all I could tell.
While I’m disappointed there still isn’t a Rufio on the team, the only name I might remember besides Hill is KeVaughn Allen.
The lack of individual attention makes sense though when you look at their statistics. Besides Hill being in the Top 5 in assists and steals, they don’t have a single player in the Top 10 in points, rebounds, or field goal percentage. They are truly the antithesis of a team like Kentucky.
You don’t have to watch them play for very long to understand they are well coached. They play tough defense, move the ball well on offense, and most importantly, they don’t seem to beat themselves.
Besides their two point loss to Vanderbilt earlier this year, which is a bit of a head scratcher, their other losses have been to teams they weren’t favored against. And even those games could’ve gone the Gators way.
The University of Florida has always been, and will probably always continue to be, a football school. They have a rich history of Hall of Fame players and coaches who have come through their program. They reside in a state that takes great pride in being a hotbed for young football talent.
Plus, they play in a conference that directly associates your manhood with what college team you root for. (Admit it, have you ever met a Vanderbilt fan that you didn’t think you could beat the crap out of?)
What Billy Donovan was able to do there was nothing short of phenomenal. The expectations aren’t for Mike White to excel in the way Donovan did, but if I’m a Gators fan I’m excited about the bright future that lies ahead.
If this year’s team is any indication of what to expect out of Gainesville over the next few year there’s one thing I know for certain; there will be mistaking which Mike White is responsible for the Gators success.
SSE Minute February 17
Pender’s Promises
By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Earlier in the month new Brunswick High Football coach Sean Pender spoke to a packed house of Pirate supporters at the Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Glynn.
It was a meet and greet event where Pender got to meet the Pirate fan base for the first time since his hiring.
Hawks To Make Big Move?
By: Drayton Hogarth
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Atlanta Hawks have been battling through an up and down season all year. The team started out hot, and it appeared as though the offseason signing of Dwight Howard would pay immediate dividends.
However, the team hit a rough patch to counter that great beginning and fell back into the cycle of being good enough to make the playoffs, but never good enough to take the step to achieve elite status.
The Hawks are hoping to make their tenth consecutive playoff appearance, which is second only to the San Antonio Spurs. The question is what good is that if you are never the last team standing?
Hawks head coach and team president Mike Budenholzer recently made it known that four time all-star Paul Millsap “will not be going anywhere” at the trade deadline. My question is why not?
This Hawks roster, as currently assembled, has likely peaked in the middle of the NBA’s Eastern Conference. The third seed is likely as high as they will attain, which would allow them to max out in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Hawks shouldn’t be afraid of any other team in the east, not named Cleveland. However, what good does that do? It prevents you from winning the NBA championship, while also keeping you out of the lottery with the chance to bring in a franchise type of player in the draft.
While dozens of NBA players make Atlanta their offseason home, the franchise has either been reluctant or unable to lure the major stars of the league to sign with the hometown Hawks; that is until Atlanta brought Dwight Howard home.
Paul Millsap is a tremendous player. Millsap seems to be a great teammate, but he is also the Hawk’s best bargaining chip. While I realize Coach Budenholzer said that Millsap “isn’t going anywhere,” I believe that is more of a negotiation tactic.
It is now known that if a team wants to bring Millsap in to be their missing piece for a championship run, that team had better bring their best offer, or Atlanta won’t even entertain the notion.
Hopefully, the Hawks learned their lesson last season, allowing Al Horford to walk and not get anything in return. If Atlanta allows their best player to walk away two seasons in a row, it could lead to that rebuild mode much faster than anyone anticipated.
Here’s the thing, Atlanta will never get out of the Eastern Conference without making a huge move. There are two potential trades that work monetarily that would provide Atlanta with a legitimate bonafide NBA star.
The first would be for Phil Jackson’s punching bag, Carmelo Anthony. Anthony is the same age as Millsap and is under contract for three more seasons. Carmelo also has a no trade clause that would have to be worked out before a deal could be reached.
On the court, Carmelo is a high volume shooter, and the wonder is would he fit in Coach Bud’s offense where sharing the ball is its biggest strength. The other move would be to send Millsap to the LA Clippers for Blake Griffin.
Griffin would likely be the better fit at power forward. Griffin has good range on his shot and would bring athleticism not seen from a Hawk since Dominique Wilkins. Griffin is oft injured, and is a free agent this offseason, but the Hawks would retain right to pay him the most money in free agency. It would fill a lot of needs in Atlanta.
While there is enormous risk moving a player as stable as Paul Millsap, the possibility of taking that next step is too enticing to just sit back and mire in mediocrity.
It is time for the Atlanta franchises to follow the Falcons lead and quit playing the role of small market team. Atlanta is as desirable a place as any to live, and if a franchise will take a risk to win a championship, the fans will reward them monetarily. In the words of Dale Carnegie, “Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare.”
What Brandon Phillips Brings To Braves
By: TJ Hartnett
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
In what seemed like an out of nowhere move, the Atlanta Braves traded minor league pitchers Andrew McKirahan and Carlos Portuondo to the Cincinnati Reds for second baseman Brandon Phillips.
It was a rare case of cause and effect where the cause came to light after the effect had already taken place. The Braves had signed Sean Rodriguez to handle at least half of a platoon or at most the majority of the starts at second base for 2017; but shortly before spring training began they became aware that Rodriguez would need shoulder surgery stemming from a car accident in January and would miss 3-5 months due to recovery. They needed to act fast to find a replacement, and act fast they did.
Phillips is a 3-time All-Star who can hit for average and power, as well as swipe double digit bases, but his real asset is his glove. He’s a four time Gold Glove winner at second base, and can occasionally still make the same kind of jaw-dropping, highlight reel-worthy defensive plays that Braves fans saw on the other side of the infield during Andrelton Simmons’ stay at shortstop.
This is a great deal for Atlanta. They fill a need in their infield (for a second time this offseason) and add a reliable veteran presence in the lineup and clubhouse as well.
The cost for Phillips was staggering low to my eye. The amount of pitchers with high ceilings in Atlanta’s farm system is monstrous, and to not have to sacrifice any of them in this trade is a boasting point for John Coppellela; but not as much as that the Reds threw in $13 million to cover the $14 million that Phillips is owed in 2017 – after which he’ll be a free agent.
Add it all up, and you’ve got yourself a great deal for a player who will both keep the spot warm until Ozzie Albies is ready to take over at second and a player that can legitimately improve the offense and defense.
I would argue that as solid of a player as Rodriguez is, Phillips is a better option for the team.
Phillips at 35 may not be a destiny-altering addition to Atlanta, but having a player that smooth with the glove is only going to benefit the pitching staff and Dansby Swanson.
Playing across the diamond from a player with that kind of skillset will be a boon to the young shortstop, especially given that Phillips in his prime might be a good comp for the kind of player Swanson may evolve into.
He’ll also likely alleviate some of the offensive pressure on Swanson, as I assume he’ll move into the two hole behind leadoff man Ender Inciarte. This will allow Swanson to hit lower in the batting order.
Phillips comes with two interesting oddities as well: the Braves are in a period of rebuilding. Phillips adds to the irony that many of the Braves’ starters will not be all that young: he joins the likes of Bartolo Colon, R.A. Dickey, Nick Markakis, and Matt Kemp. It’s a roster that would have terrified the NL East in 2010. Although they still all can contribute immensely to Atlanta’s hopes of competing and respectability in 2017.
The other oddity is this: with Phillips gone from Cincinnatti, second base will now be occupied by Jose Peraza, the former Braves top prospect. Baseball poetry at its most ironic.
Cameron Indoor Craziness
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
On the outside it looks like something you would find in an episode of The Young Pope. The building looks like 16th century architecture, designed by someone whose last name has a vowel to consonant ratio of 2/1.
On certain days you’ll find its’ patrons standing in line, 3-4 hours before the doors open. And during the winter months, you’ll see those same people camp out on an adjacent square, as if they’re standing in St. Peter’s Square, waiting to see the white smoke billowing out into the sky.
On the inside, you’ll find a cult like atmosphere- people covered in paint, worshipping idols, mocking anyone whose opinions differ from their own. Like any religious gathering there are sermons to be taught, although don’t expect to hear anything about “loving thy neighbor.” This is more of an “eye for an eye” type crowd. It’s absolutely ridiculous. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
There is a reason why the national media swarms to Durham, NC, like Donald Trump to a 2 A.M. Twitter rant, for the UNC/Duke game. History of the rivalry? Yes. The number of great collegiate players and coaches to have participated in the game? Sure. Where both these teams rank in the pantheon of great college basketball teams? Absolutely.
But, why do fans pay close to Super Bowl prices just to get tickets to a regular season game? It’s the atmosphere Cameron Indoor Stadium provides.
With all due respect to places like Lambeau Field, Phog Allen Fieldhouse, and The Pit, experiencing a game in Cameron Indoor Stadium is a must for any sports fan, even if you don’t like Duke.
If Cameron were a 12 year old boy it’d have an inferiority complex over the number of times an analyst has talked about how small it is in comparison to other basketball ball venues.
With a seating capacity of just over 9,300 those analysts aren’t wrong. I imagine if Gene Hackman ever visited he would measure the height of the basket and distance to the free throw line, just to make sure he wasn’t on a playground with 9 foot rims.
The intimate venue is great, but it’s how the seating is laid out that make the entire thing a perfect marriage. Most schools have rowdy students. Most schools do not allow those students to take up an entire side of the gymnasium, and give them arguably the best seats in the entire place.
What allows the Cameron Crazies to have the kind of notoriety they do is the fact they are allowed to sit (or their case, stand) so close to the action on the court. If they were forced to sit in the upper sections, the atmosphere would be completely different.
To watch those things meld together on tv doesn’t always do it justice. Two seasons ago my daughter and I went to a game over Christmas break, against Wofford.
By the time we left our ears were ringing and I felt like I had just sat through a Metallica concert. That was for a game with no students and inferior competition. I can only imagine what that place would be like against Carolina.
There are tons of great places to watch sports, but for my money there is no place better atmosphere than Cameron Indoor Stadium. If you don’t believe me I highly recommend you check it out. You may just leave as one of the converted.
