A-Day: It’s a wrap

Well, A-Day’s over.

Impressions? Offense looked good at times. It’s going to take me a little bit to get used to the no-huddle offense. I’m just used to huddling. Call me old fashion.

I’m thinking the quarterback situation will work itself out before the start of two-a-days. And my pick? Chris Todd. Tony Franklin is really high on him. And, as part of this quote suggests, if Todd is as good as Franklin says he is, then, he should be the stater.
But right now, it’s a two-QB system with Kodi Burns and Todd ...

“Neither one of them are ready to go out and win an SEC Championship, I can tell you that,“ Franklin said. “They both got a long way to go and a lot of competition ahead of them.
“Until some one jumps out and shows ‘I’m so good, I have to be in there all the time’ but right now, nobody has. Until that happens, we’ll play them both. I’m not afraid to play them both.
“Chris’s arm’s got to get a lot better. If his arm doesn’t jump back to normal or close to normal, he won’t be in the deal. But if his arm gets back to normal, then he’s going to be dynamic. He’s out there with a bad arm, and he’s moving the team up and down the field. He’s doing good things.“

OK, as for my predictions ... I was way off.
Here’s who actually won the A-Day awards ...
Offensive Player of the Game: Kodi Burns, QB
Defensive Player of the Game: Sen’Derrick Marks, DL
Special Teams Player of the Game: Clinton Durst
Attendance: 35,000 ... and a shout out to Jay G. Tate from the Montgomery Advertiser who won the Bill Beckwith Crowd Estimate Award, which is presented to the media representative who comes closest to guessing the estimated crowd at the A-Day game. Jay’s guess? 43,598 and a half.
Classic.

Seat 79? What!?!

I’m going to have to confess, I’m a little off my game today. I got to Jordan-Hare Stadium for Auburn’s A-Day game, which kicks off in about 12 minutes, and I’m not in my usual Seat 80.

I know, call the cops. Because it’s a spring game, all the normal “assigned seats” are up for grabs. But being creatures of habit, all the sports writers tended to keep to their normal seats, but with some adjustments. So, here on the South side of the 50-yard line, we are bumped down a seat. So I’m at 79.

I’ll be OK, though. I think.

** OK, A-Day. First, there’s not 92,000 fans here. Not like that was expected.
Second, it’s going to be another glorified scrimmage, where the starters (those who will play a major role during the season) won’t play long if at all. So, it’ll be the young guys with something to prove highlighting today’s game.
And that’s the way it should be.

Prediction time ...
Offensive Player of the Game: Terrell Zachery, WR.
Defensive Player of the Game: Josh Bynes, LB
Fan Attendance: 24,857,

Hoops Madness In Birmingham: First Round

I’m here in Birmingham for the first round of the NCAA Tournament, where Tennessee and American tip off in an hour.

Here’s the deal, I’m up in Birmingham to cover the first round of the tournament, obviously. I’m going to bring you guys my thoughts and musings from all the games today. I’ll also be writing a column and game capsules for the paper, which you will be able to read tomorrow.

I’m going to keep this blog entry open and do a running blog throughout the day. I’m excited. I know you are, too.

Anyway, here it goes ...

10:57 a.m.: Tennessee vs. American tips off in about 15 minutes. Tennessee’s a lock in this one. Really. I know I’m going out on a limb, predicting a No. 2 over a No. 15 seed, but I think I’m pretty safe. Tennessee should roll, but nothing in the tournament is for sure. Just ask Duke. If Belmont doesn’t screw up the inbounds pass with 4 seconds left, the Dukies are gone.

Oh, by the way, lunch is at 1 p.m.

11:15: And we’ve got tipoff.
Here’s something I didn’t know, Tennessee senior guard Jordan Howell is from Auburn. How did I not know that? Well, he was born in Auburn and his brother, Brett, played for Auburn, but Jordan went to Bob Jones High. Still, local boy. Nice.

Here’s Howell’s bio

** I thought this was funny, before taking the court, American was in the hall, getting ready to go out. And since the floor entrance is right next to the media work room, you couldn’t help but hear them. The team’s pregame chant? Well, it sounded a lot like the Wicked Witch’s soldiers from “Wizard of OZ”
You know, Ohhhh weee ooooooo, ooooooo ohhhhh ...

11:47: So, I’m sitting right in front of the American cheering section. They’re pretty loud, not so good at heckling, though. I’ve heard middle school games with better one-liners, and those are just the cheerleaders. I kid, I kid.

Anyway, neither team can make a basket right now. American had a 3-point lead with just over 10 minutes left in the first, but Tennessee has gotten it back now. Not that you need me to tell you this, you’re probably watching the game. So, I won’t give too much more play-by-play today, just the ramblings.

I got to give it up to the BJCC, they’ve come correct, the place looks great, high-class help and a big crowd. I know no one travels like Tennessee when it comes to hoops. Usually it’s the women’s team getting a bunch of love, but today, it’s about 80 percent orange, here to support the men’s team.

** I am disappointed, though. Bruce Pearl isn’t wearing an orange blazer. He’s rocking a sharp gray suit with an orange and white tie. Nice, but I wanted the cream-sickle orange. Bummer.

** American’s pep band is playing “Sweet Caroline” an Auburn fave. But their doing a good job with it, and the American fans are belting out the lyrics pretty nicely, especially the dude sitting right behind me. Neil Diamond, he’s not.

12:06 p.m.: Halftime:
Tennessee 29, American 22.
With all the size and athletic advantage Tennessee has over American, you’d think they’d throw it inside and let their big man go to work. Instead, Pearl has elected to keep them away from the basket and shoot jumpers. That might come back to bite them if the gameplan stays that way.
Give American credit, if they could make some shots and hold on to the basketball and keep their nerves in check, they could continue to keep it close.
Could we see a 15 knock off a 2 for only the fifth time in NCAA history? We’ll see.

12:38: American is keeping it close. If it can continue to control the clock and make every possession count, the upset might be possible. Really.
Tennessee is continuing to play away from the basket, and American is making the Vols pay.
For a 15 to beat a 2, the underdog has to play near-perfect basketball. So far, American is doing that.
Buckle up, this one’s going to come down to the buzzer.

12:51: Garrison Carr, all 5-11 of him, just made consecutive 3-point baskets, tying American with Tennessee at 40. Pearl immediately called a timeout.
The crowd here at the BJCC is electric. A lot of American fans, or at least loud American fans, as they are all sitting right behind me, are geeked (as my boy Jay G. Tate of the Montgomery Advertiser would say).
I feel an upset brewing. Yes, I’m the same guy who just about two hours ago said UT should roll. But, now, I’m thinking not. AU is primed and the Eagles aren’t going anywhere.
10:21 to play. Are you ready?

1:13: I’m just going to say it, Garrison Carr is Allen Iverson, minus all the tattoos, hair and headband. The American guard just makes plays. And hustles. And scores. And dribbles. And, well, does everything he needs to do to keep American alive.
With 2:38 to play, AU might just be running out of gas. They trail the Vols by 6, 59-53. American has had chances, but couldn’t convert on some key possessions.
I’ll be back after the game ...

3:10: I’m back.
I decided to write my column on American’s run at the “almost upset.“ Oh, I know, I know, they lost by 13. But the score—as is often the case—didn’t tell the whole story of the game. American had a legit shot at upsetting Tennessee. They just scored 4 points in the last 3:46. I’m not a coach, but I don’t think that’s too good.

** Second-half action between South Alabama and Butler just tipped off, with Butler leading big, 47-32. By the way, this game should be fun. I’m I came back to my seat on the floor after writing my column, and Bruce Pearl is right next to me, scouting the game (Tennessee will play the winner Sunday). It’s going to be fun listening to him gameplan with his staff. I think I might ask him why no orange blazer.
I really want to know.

3:29: We’ve got a Daniel Hayles sighting.
You remember Hayles from his playing days at Auburn. He played two years at Auburn before transferring to South Alabama. I don’t think he’s cut his hair since I last saw him. With 11:15 to play in the game, Hayles has 3 points and three fouls.

3:45: So, I’m reading the Opelika-Auburn News online during a media timeout, and I come across this story.
In the interest of full disclosure, I’m addicted to energy drinks. I drink them all the time. Really. I can’t stop myself. My wife hates it, she says it’ll ruin my teeth and cause health problems. Now, she’s got ammunition. Hopefully, she won’t read this. Shhhhhh!

4:33: Just got finished with the postgame press conferences for the Butler-South Alabama game.
Butler looked GOOD. I admit, on my bracket I picked USA for the upset. Man, I was way off. Butler, a mid-major with 30 wins, is for real.
Pete Campbell can flat out shoot the ball. He scored 26 in Butler’s 81-61 win Friday. He was 8-for-10 from the 3, and those were his only two misses of the game.
Sunday’s Tennessee-Butler game, a matchup of two 30-win teams, is going to be a good one.
Anyway, it’s time to hack and then grub. I’ll see you after dinner at the start of the St. Joe’s-Oklahoma game ...

6:15: I’m back and the second session just tipped with Oklahoma vs. St. Joe’s.
WARNING: I don’t know how much blogging I’ll do this game, I might be too distracted by the Hawk. St. Joe’s mascot is a hawk, obviously. Well, I don’t know if you are familiar with the Hawk, but he flaps his arms all game. ALL GAME. Seriously.
During the National Anthem. During timeouts. During team huddles. During halftime. Always flapping. When Auburn played St. Joe’s in 2003 in the first round in Tampa, I watched more of the Hawk than I did of the game. I keep waiting for him to stop or for his arms to fall off.
Just letting you know.

6:40: St. Joe’s travels pretty well. There’s got to be about 200-250 students here in a make-shift student section. And they’re loud. A lot louder than the 100 or so Oklahoma fans, which looks to me like mostly parents and family. College kids are always louder than parents. Always. No offense, parents. That’s just the way it is.

7:25: Second half action is slow with St. Joe’s having trouble hitting a shot. In the first half, the Hawks shot 47 percent as a team, but I would have bet it was more like 20. This half, however St. Joe’s is struggling, both from the floor and on defense. Oklahoma’s front line is a lot bigger and stronger.
That might be the difference, unless the Hawks can start making some jumpers.

9:01: Well, Oklahoma was able to hold off St. Joe’s late charge and win, 72-64.
The Hawks chipped a 19-point deficit down to 4 with 3:26 to play, but just couldn’t get any closer. The Sooners outscored the Hawks 7-3 on the way to the buzzer.

** And that’s going to do it for me from Birmingham. Since the late game—14-seeded Boise State vs. No. 3-seeded Louisville—isn’t going to be done before deadline, and I’ve got a 2-hour ride home, I’m going to pack it in.
Thanks for joining me today.

I’ll be back next week with some tasty goodness from A-Day. That’s right, the Tigers have their annual spring scrimmage at 1 p.m. March 29.
See you then ...
And I’m out!!!!

Big-time steroid dealer has ties to Opelika

Who knew Anytown, USA could be in your own backyard?

We always read stories about places that no one ever heard of, that seem to be normal. Towns where dogs bark and mailmen walk, old men gather to read the newspaper and drink coffee, while women laugh over the buzz of hairdryers. Little, quiet places where “nothing” ever happens ... until one day, it does.

I can’t tell you how many stories I’ve read about a town that I’ve never heard of where “something” significant was taking place and no one, not even the people who lived there, knew what was going on.

According to the March 17 edition of Sports Illustrated, the Opelika-Auburn was one of those places.

According to SI, and reporters L. Jon Wertheim and David Epstein, Tony Fitton, a major player in the steroid era of the late 1970-90s, lived and did a lot of business out of a lab he ran in Opelika. That’s right, Opelika.

Fitton, a top British powerlifter and chemist, according to SI, is known as the “steroid godfather” for his two-decade run as a dealer, revolutionizing the use of the anabolic steroid Dianabol or Dbol.

In the late 1970s, Terry Todd, a well-known powerlifter, founded the National Strength Research Center at Auburn University, said Sports Illustrated. Fitton, who knew Todd, was given a faculty position at the NSRC.
Fitton, according to the magazine, founded a pharmacy in Opelika where he would store his drugs, which he would smuggle into the country from Spain and Italy (where steroids were legal) and then drive cross the country, dealing.

According to SI, Fitton was the go-to guy for “thousands of athletes: Olympians, top NFL draft picks, professional wrestlers, cops he’d met through lifting competitions and garden-variety gym rats. As one federal prosecutor said of Fitton in ‘85, ‘He may have been the biggest (steroid) dealer in the world.‘“

In 1981, Fitton was arrested at the Atlanta airport for “illegal trafficking” of anabolic steroids and was fired by Auburn after the arrest, but remained in the area “researching steroids as intensely as ever,“ said the magazine.

After his second arrest in 1984, Fitton moved to Columbus, Ga. Up until the mid-90s, Fitton was in and out of trouble for dealing steroids throughout the country. In 1997, he was arrested on “conspiracy to distribute narcotics,“ according to Sports Illustrated, and served four months in a New Jersey prison.

After he was released the next year, Fitton was deported back to England, where he lives today.

It’s interesting to me that a guy who is alleged to have so much power in the American sports scene through the development and dealing of steroids once lived in the same town I do. I’ve been trying to find someone who knew Fitton and where his pharmacy was located, but I haven’t had any luck yet. It was almost 30 years ago.

Anyway, if you want to read more about Fitton or the Sports Illustrated article, here’s the link.

Leaving the ATL

Well, that’s it.

Auburn loses to Vanderbilt, 93-82. No shocker there. However, Auburn did shoot the ball really well, but just couldn’t stop Vandy down low or from the perimeter.

Auburn’s game is to shoot and keep shooting. But when they run up against a team that is just as hot from the floor and has a distinct height advantage, it’s all over but the crying.

And that’s what happened.

Look for Auburn to improve next year. I think they’ll be a .500 SEC team, if not better. Just saying.

Also, the coaching staff made a very nice gesture, wearing orange ribbons during Thursday’s game in remembrance of Lauren Burk—the AU freshman who was killed March 4. Classy. Very classy.