What up Saints Fans...

Well the Saints went thru a light workout this morning on the field turf at Millsaps College, putting the skills players thru an intensive special teams practice in shorts. The Linemen on both sides of the ball went thru a weightlifting session instead of hitting the field. However in the afternoon everybody was back in full pads on the upper fields going at it the most extreme heat and humidity conditions the team has seen yet in Jackson. According to the man, myth, and legend here at 16 WAPT (nobody does it better) David Hartman... the temperatures were in the mid to lower 90's and the humidity was simply miserable. You gotta love Mississippi in late July and early August huh?

Watch tonight as we profile one player turning heads so far this year. Third-year pro Lance Moore out of Toledo is making a case for himself at camp. Wide Receiver is the deepest position for the Saints on the depth chart, but the team is looking to replace Joe Horn and Michael Lewis. Plus they are seeking a return specialist to compliment Reggie Bush, and need a solid kickoff return guy. Sean Payton likes what he sees in the young player thus far.

And tonight at 10... Jamie Triplett profiles those on the roster with ties to Mississippi... you might be surprised to find out just how many players who once roamed the field in Oxford are now suiting it up in the black and gold! Tune in and find out...

Christian

Greetings Football Fans... over the next few weeks I'll be posting on the happenings of Saints Camp and trying to give you a "behind the scenes" view of what transpires at Millsaps College.

For starters, the Saints are loaded. With Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, Deuce McAllister and wide-outs like Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Terrance Copper (who looked GREAT on day one) David Patten and top-pick Robert Meachem out of Tennessee this team has fantastic skill players. The offensive line is solid. Add to that a healthy Eric Johnson, whom the Saints signed in free agency from San Francisco at Tight End, and you're a complete unit.

If the Saints take any heat at all - it's on defense. But some serious up-grades in personnel will help them elevate in 2007. Players like Dhani Jones and Brian Simmons add depth at linebacker... and Jason David, Usama Young and Kevin Kaesviharm will bolster a secondary that is headlined by Mike McKenzie (who can take away half the field) but still allows the BIG PLAY down the field too often. Gary Gibbs is an experienced coach at both the college and professional level, with an even-keel and level-headed approach to running his side of the ball. He takes risks when they present themselves, but doesn't put his corners or young players in positions they can't handle. He doesn't get enough credit as a coordinator in the league.

Olindo Mare is a great pick-up from the Dolphins at Kicker. Moving inside the dome will help his numbers go-up, and the fact that he produced as much as he did in Miami with the horrible offense and rainy south Florida climate during the fall PROVES he is a legitimate threat to have a career year in '07.

So the first day of two-a-days has come and gone, and the players hydrated and did all they could to slowly work into "shape" in the heat and humidity that was thick. The crowds were big, and the fans had ample opportunity to see all the action as Sean Payton moves his team all around the two upper-fields during the session. Brees looked sharp, Reggie made some great cut-backs and moves that made the crowd go crazy, and Deuce got his affectionate chant every time he would break into the open field carrying the ball.

It was a great first day, the rain stayed away, and the NFL is now back in Jackson! And don't forget, every practice is free and OPEN to the public!

Christian

Unless you live on Pluto, and you're reading this blog via satellite imagery that none of us on Earth here know exists, you've heard and seen more than you can handle on the on-going Michael Vick dog-fighting scandal. In fact, the story has been talked about and analyzed from so many angles in so many different media forums that no other story in sports has captivated an entire nation like this in 2007. Well, none except Barry Bonds. But who’s counting?

I am.

Christi is right. If you look up the word sports in the next edition of Webster’s Dictionary they might incorporate the word "scandal." From the Balco on the Bay scandal, to the Vick federal indictment, to the NBA Ref who "allegedly" bet on games he officiated in, to the leader of the Tour de France being thrown out of the race for rules violations, to Gary Player accusing PGA Tour players of illegal drug use before the British Open, to Adam "Pacman" Jones "allegedly" being involved in a Las Vegas Strip Club Shooting, to multiple NASCAR Crew Chiefs being suspended for failing inspections, to...

Get the point?

I'm afraid most don't. When as much money, fame, attention, and power comes to those who win... people will do anything to step on the next guy and glorify themselves by claiming victory when they are truly a fraud. Or use their platform to either think they are above the law, or can somehow manipulate it. Unfortunately most (see above) don't understand what it means to win, or live, with integrity.

Thank the Good Lord for people like Tony Dungy.

Men like that provide some hope.

What's your take?

Christian

In light of the tragic news from the world of Double-A Baseball yesterday, I’m writing this BLOG to simply plea for your attention about a very serious matter. In case you didn’t hear, last night the Tulsa Drillers of the Texas League lost not only a coach, but also a man who was a husband and father to young children. Mike Coolbaugh was killed when he was hit by a line drive in the head, in the 1st base coaches box. It’s as sad a story as any of us in this business will ever report.

The Drillers’ Texas League game against the host Arkansas Travelers was suspended in the 9th inning Sunday after the 35-year-old former major leaguer was hit by a foul ball off the bat of Tino Sanchez of the Drillers. Coolbaugh was taken to Baptist Medical Center-North Little Rock, where he was pronounced dead in route.

So here is my plea… when you go to games here at Trustmark Park and sit in the stands and enjoy the time with your friends and family… please PAY ATTENTION! Foul balls, especially ones hit hard down the baselines can be deadly, as we were reminded over the weekend. When I was playing little league baseball in Foxboro, Massachusetts as a 9 year old, my little brother Luke was hit with a foul ball while sitting in the stands playing with his friends. He never saw it coming, and it was hit by a 9-year old, probably the reason that he is still alive today and not suffering from any long lasting injury.

It’s not an un-safe place to go, and the M-Braves have all the necessary pre-cautions in place to protect you… so don’t go in fear. Just pay attention if you aren’t behind a net, and keep your eyes on the field. But just like in life – you never know do you?

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Mike Coolbaugh.

Christian

Starting today the world of golf returns to Carnoustie, of course made famous by one Jan Van de Velde in 1999. Well I guess the Scottish golf links and the world's oldest tournament have made a name for themselves over the years... but when it comes right down to it... all anyone will ever remember for the next 100 years when they mention the layout and British Open in the same sentence is the collapse of the 20th Century.

These days Van de Velde still plays the European Tour, but he has been struggling with sickness and has been so concerned that this past month he has undergone tests for cancer. It's a tough turn of events for a man who 8 years ago simply needed to make double-bogey on the final hole to win his first major. And now, anytime... anyone... anywhere... on the planet chokes coming down the stretch (in a pro tournament or on his local track with his buddies) is deemed to have pulled a "van de velde." Ouch. As if his divorce, mystery illness, and the fact they were engraving his name on the Claret Jug as he holed out on the 71st hole in '99 doesn't hurt enough.

So... enjoy Tiger's 3-peat in the British. No one can beat him, except himself. If he keeps the driver in the bag if it starts going side-ways... he's unbeatable. He's the best putter, short game master, and thinker in the game. No one's as imaginative as him... a necessity at the British.

Have fun watching the coverage... right here on 16 WAPT... and please... if you're up 3 with 1 to go anytime, against anyone, anywhere in the world... lay-up. Make your 6. Then 100 years from now no-one will refer to you as the biggest choke artist in the history of the game.

Count your blessings.

Christian

So remember how last week we talked about Beckham and his Spice Girl going Hollywood and supposedly revolutionizing the game of soccer in the U.S.?

Well… how about the men of Brilla FC doing their best to the same right here in Jackson this year? Sure there are no internationally-known world famous figures on the team, and nobody for the National Enquire attends their training sessions, but this team is making a difference on and off the field this year for a Higher Calling. You see they are out win games and compete, but their top priority is to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

Brilla FC has a huge week ahead of them. With two games left in the regular season at home over the next 5 days...they can almost taste the playoffs. The Premier Development League Club is making a serious impact in only their first year of play, and you can’t take them lightly. Not only are they undefeated at home this year; they are 6th in league attendance, averaging just under a thousand fans a game.

If they beat Baton Rouge tomorrow (Tuesday) and then defeat Laredo (who they share the top spot in the division with) on Saturday… they are in the post-season, and that is no small feat. So congrats to Rusty Bryant and his staff, Coach Dixon and his players… this has been a special year no matter how things turn out.

The Glory of who they represent has been seen… but more importantly, lived out in their actions. And all of us are better of for it!

I think Becks and Posh should take a page out of their book.

Christian

Soccer just changed forever in America. Question is… will anyone care?

Last night, as my wife told you in her best US Weekly reporter impersonation, Becks and Posh made there way thru London’s Heathrow International Airport and arrived in LAX with every paparazzi on the planet in attendance. Nice of them to give Paris the night off.

Here are the facts. In the United States of America, we like scoring. Home runs, touchdowns, slam dunks and even birdies and over-head slams. In soccer, and in hockey (which is equally suffering in kids who play and viewers who watch on TV) you can blink and miss the only action of the game. So, since we are fickle... and like what we like... when we like it... games that end with a final score of 1 to 0 don’t fly.

So bring your international stardom and your hot blond-bombshell wife (can I say that being married) with you… and let’s see if you can change the face of a game that this country cares nothing about. I don’t think you can.

And please don’t let Posh or Scary or Baby sing any more.

John Lennon deserves to rest in peace.

Christian

Here’s how it works in life… you earn what your worth… and you’re worth what you earn. And anyone who says differently obviously doesn’t think they take home enough JACK in their bi-weekly paycheck. Athletes do things we can’t do, and there is a premium for their service and what they bring to the table. If you don’t like it… stop watching the games and give up your season tickets and make your statement. No one will hear you anyway!

This is America. It’s all about capitalism and going out and getting PAID. You don’t need to ask Jerry McGuire about it… we ALL understand that.

Ichiro is the best hitter in baseball. Crosby is the next Gretzky. And the NBA is the best collection of athletes on the planet. And this footballer named Beckham… a washed up soccer player who was never really that good. Yet he's worth $250 million in the U.S.

But hey… he is married to Posh Spice. Or is it Scary Spice?

SHOW ME THE MONEY Jerry… Show me the Money.

Christian

Well tonight at Trustmark Park, or the TeePee as it has come to be known, the best and brightest of the Southern League descend on Pearl for the 2007 All-Star game. The M-Braves will send 6 players into the starting lineup for the South Division, and all of the spots are well deserved, after all this is the team who won the 1st Half of the Year Title.

And let me remind you that this is your chance to get out there and see many players who will have a future as Major Leaguers, and could happen within days or weeks! Think about it… guys like Brian McCann, Jeff Francoeur, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and others have played right here in the Metro and now make a living doing it in Atlanta. And they don’t step into the box against the Biscuits or the Lookouts anymore.

So show up, pay for your ticket and some good eats (and bring your rain coat) and experience the finest the Southern League has to offer… and then one day you’ll be able to say “I saw that guy play back in Double-A ball” and not have to smile thru your teeth as you say it! Know anybody like that?

Christian

The sport of competitive eating... Or slamming hot dogs down your throat!! There is no way you could miss it, if you’re American, I mean if ESPN carries it and the ratings show over a million people tune in… you know it’s a winner!

Let me set the stage real fast… “The Challenger” was Joey Chestnut out of San Jose, standing 6 foot 1 and weighing 210 pounds. He was trying to take down the champ... Known around the world as Kobayashi! Listed at 5 foot 7 and 150 pounds… he is the Champion of six straight Nathan's International July Fourth Hot Dog Eating Contests!

No kidding, there are thousands of people hanging out watching this thing, and the entire nation is tuned in!!

The two are neck and neck coming down the stretch and then it happens… Kobayashi can go no more and the Dog bites back. He hurls, throws up, vomits (whatever you want to call it) all over the place! He finishes with ONLY 63 dogs down.

And the American… Joey Chestnut… ends the Kobayashi dynasty with his world record intake of 66 hot dogs in 12 minutes. That's 5 and a half dogs every 60 seconds!

Believe me… I’m proud to be American! God Bless the USA!

Christian