04/23/24
February 08, 2017
SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle:
A place to discuss the sports stories that aren't making news, share links that aren't quite front-page material, and diagram plays on your hand. Remember to count to five Mississippi before commenting in anger.
Steve Sarkisian gets to keep wearing a red hat with an "A" on it.
After going 0-1 lifetime as the Alabama OC, Sark has moved on to fill the Shanahan vacancy with the Atlanta Falcons. This is brisk even by Lane Kiffin standards, and will surely not endear Sarkisian to the Bama faithful.
"Hey Knoxville - does this mean that Lane is now off the hook as the worst all time SEC ship jumper?"
"Hell, no - that's Tuscaloosa's problem. Both of 'em can go to hell."
posted by beaverboard at 08:52 AM on February 08, 2017
ESPN was saying that Saban was okay with Sark leaving, that the one game was enough to see their styles didn't mesh.
posted by billsaysthis at 11:34 AM on February 08, 2017
You're absolutely right, I found the back story on Sark after the fact but couldn't alter or delete my blabbage.
As an ACC grad surrounded by SEC family and friends, anything remotely resembling daytime drama in the SEC often provokes a hair trigger reaction. I don't want 'em all to feel too comfortable with their exalted status in life.
I haven't seen who Saban's new OC is going to be, but no doubt he is going to bring in or promote someone highly capable, and that unit will excel in 2017. Gawd, if Chip Kelly went down there and rediscovered his mojo as a game planner and play caller, that would be frightening. The Tide's already scary enough.
posted by beaverboard at 12:35 PM on February 08, 2017
Two fun GIFs from reddit:
Lacrosse hidden ball trick
Ridiculous handball goal
posted by yerfatma at 04:16 PM on February 08, 2017
Is Sarkisian the only member of the coaching staff in Alabama history to go winless?
posted by Etrigan at 10:11 AM on February 09, 2017
That lustful heathen Mike Price didn't win a game. Seek ye not the fleshpot nor shall ye dishonor the bowl of iron.
posted by beaverboard at 12:20 PM on February 09, 2017
The handball goal was from some charity game, right? That's why everyone (even the opposition) claps.
And was the keeper for the lacrosse goal some middle school kid they used by mistake? He looked like he was 5 feet tall at best.
posted by grum@work at 01:28 PM on February 09, 2017
The goalie (Ryan Kern) listed as 5'9", so probably 5'7" in reality. Bottom of the cross bar is 6'.
posted by umrlax at 03:32 PM on February 09, 2017
Thinking about the Falcons, I can't help reflecting back on the 1971 Dolphins. They announced their presence at the top level of league play during the regular season and in the playoffs, including the historic double OT Christmas Day game against KC.
I was given a ticket to the 1971-72 Colts-Dolphins AFC Championship game at the Orange Bowl thanks to the family of my best friend in high school. We sat in end zone seats and watched Dick Anderson come right at us with his pick six that iced the game. The Dolphins dominated the Baltimore Colts that day (there used to be a heated Miami-Baltimore divisional rivalry back then, because of Shula's abdication). The aqua men could do no wrong. Next stop, the title game.
The Cowboys dismantled the Dolphins in the Super Bowl in an utterly demoralizing game for Miami fans. It was bleak. Even though I've moved on from my Dolphins allegiance, the memory is still vivid.
But the Dolphins had arrived, moved on from the devastation, and went on to win the next two Super Bowls. That's what I'm anticipating the Falcons will do.
Note to Kyle Shanahan: coming up empty with Atlanta and then moving on to coach the Niners? You're sure you don't want to stay put and finish the job?
Note to Arthur Blank: maybe consider staying in the owner's box until the outcome of the game is truly assured. Coming down onto the Falcons' sideline prematurely all smiles and party time and then having to watch your team let victory escape with the cameras trained on you is not recommended.