Wednesday, October 31, 2007

TT

In 2000, while still head coach of the LSU Bengalcubs, (anti) St. Nick the Red, (or at that time purple…before was green, after was green again, not sure what color is next) lost to him. He was the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma for two years before becoming a head coach. When Oklahoma State was looking for a head coach, he was named as one of the five best up-and-coming candidates along with --- at that time --- Rich Rodreguez who was the offensive coordinator at Clemson, Les Miles who was with the Dallas Cowboys, Gary Darnell who was the Western Michigan head coach, and Steve Logan who was the East Carolina Head Coach.

He recruited in a state where his team was considered by most to be 4th on the list of universities that a college prospect would want to attend and play ball. He oversaw his teams rise from non-scholarship division III to division 1. And he left UAB for Tennessee Tech.

Of course, I am talking about Watson Brown, the older brother and personal confidant of younger brother, Mack Brown.

He will lead his Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles into Jordan-Hare Stadium this week to take on our Auburn Tigers. The Golden Eagles are 4-5 on the season, and have struggled on several occasions. This past Saturday, they lost to Pat Sullivan’s Samford Bulldogs by a score of 59 – 52.

Tennessee Tech rolled up 488 yards of offense on Samford, including the 7th time this season that running back Derek White rushed for over 100 yards. He now has over 1000 yards for the season. Wide receiver and special teams returner Larry Shipp was named the Ohio Valley Conference’s player of the week, however, as he amassed over 301 all purpose yards in the game. He returned one kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown, which was his 4th kickoff return for a TD this year. How does he do it? Well, he is 5’9”, 185 lbs. and runs a true 4.29 forty yard dash. Shipp also had 7 receptions for 191 yards in the game, and has caught at least 1 pass in all 41 games the senior has played in while at T.Tech.

This is the first ever meeting on the gridiron for Auburn and Tennessee Tech. The game appears to be an obvious mismatch. Auburn has won its last 15 homecoming games, and this should be #16. Auburn is bowl-eligible for the eighth straight season, and that is the second longest streak in school history. Auburn has held 3 of its last 4 opponents to under 10 points, and is averaging giving up 15.8 points per game. Auburn is 2nd in the SEC and 8th in the nation in both points allowed and total defense.

With not much more to say about this ballgame, let me just end it with…

War Eagle!!

WJLaneSr

Monday, October 29, 2007

Ugly Penny

In 1872, Hans Christian Andersen wrote a story that most every child has heard or was read. “The Ugly Duckling” is a story of tolerance and how inner virtues overshadow and overcome physical attributes. In the Broadway Musical “Honk”, an adaptation to Andersen’s story, the ugly duckling’s name is “Ugly Penny”.

When I look back at the game between Auburn and Ole Miss this past Saturday, those are the two things that stick out the most. Ugly and Penny.

My seats are in Section 41. They are directly under the goal posts in the north endzone on row 1. I love these seats because they are right down on the field where the action is. Not only can you hear the pads “pop” when the players hit each other, you can also hear them “smack-talk” each other. Standing in the aisle, right beside me, was Mr. Penny.

I don’t know Mr. Penny. But the Lee County Police do. So do the security personnel, the photographers, the Auburn ball boys, and even several of the Auburn football players. Heck, even one of the coaches knew him. He stands in the aisle between section 41 and 42 leaning on the brick wall that separates the sheep from the goats…..or in this case, the fans from the field. And as for the aforementioned people, each who from time to time would walk in front of us just behind the endzone; they would walk over, shake his hand and say, “Hey, Penny! How are you?” Mr. Penny also has a ritual. When Auburn gets a first down, he leans against the wall and does 10 pushups. If Auburn scores, he leans against the wall and does 50 pushups. And this is enough to draw a tremendous amount of attention.

Because of Mr. Penny, my son (and I), found ourselves on the Jumbotron several times. We also made the CSS rebroadcast of the game, because I watched it and saw a close-up of my son pointing to Mr. Penny’s sign that reads “Go Tigers, Let’s Win…Mr. Penny Said That”.

Mr. Penny is a character. In between his cheerleading, pushups and handshakes, he told me he was a steward at the Missionary AME church. He said that the were having Annual Conference this week, and his job was to keep clean towels for the preacher so that when he sweats, he can wipe his head. He said that his preacher “breaks down….and brings it home.”

Another thing Mr. Penny said over and over regarding the game was, “It ain’t purty, but it’s a win!” About that, he was right. It wasn’t pretty.

This brings me to the second thing I remember about Saturday. Although we moved the ball all over the field, on offense, it was ugly. Not bad ugly. More like boring ugly. The defense was great most of the game, but the offense was boring ugly.

However, I must admit…..I like a boring ugly win a whole lot better than an excitingly pretty loss. And at the end of the year, even an Ugly Penny, when put in the win column, looks like every other Swan lined up in that same column.

War Eagle!

WJLaneSR

Thursday, October 25, 2007

I wonder

Tommy Tuberville said the game was in their grasp. The players were playing to win, and not just to play good. He said that even though there was a tremendous effort, that coming up short was still coming up short. He applauded the team's effort, especially the way they went into one of the most difficult stadiums for a visiting team to play in, and yet had a chance to win.

He went on to say that the team was not a very good third quarter team, on either side of the ball. He expressed his concern that in the third quarter, the team was converting 3rd downs less than 50% of the time. He said that the only way to get better in the 3rd quarter was to coach better in the third quarter. It was still a very young team, and young teams must be "coached up." He took all the blame on himself.

Why?

Because his Ole Miss Rebels had just lost a game to the Auburn Tigers that they should have won. That’s right….ten years ago…1997….Head Coach Tommy Tuberville of the Ole Miss Rebels brought his team into Jordan-Hare Stadium and stood toe to toe with the 16th ranked Auburn Tigers, losing in the last minute due to a Dameyune Craig bomb to Tyrone Goodson.

I guess you thought I was writing about the 2007 Auburn Tigers. The first two paragraphs could have been cut from today's headlines. But no, this was a decade earlier. 1997.

The game was an 11:30 a.m. kickoff. And the Auburn offense overslept. Before they knew what hit them, Auburn was behind 9-3. Auburn scored a third quarter touchdown, to make the score 10-9. The outcome was in serious doubt until Ryan Taylor, the safety turned linebacker from Dublin, Georgia, sacked the Ole Miss quarterback for a safety. With the game now at 12-9, and Ole Miss having to kick the ball to Auburn, it was Dameyune Craig and Tyrone Goodson’s time to shine.

Craig and Goodson, a senior tandem back in 1997, made sure that Auburn would seal the victory. With the ball on the Ole Miss 49 yard line, Goodson split two defenders and made a leaping catch of a perfectly thrown ball from Craig. He came down hard on the two yard line. The very next play, Craig tossed a well-thrown timing pattern into the endzone which Tyrone Goodson came down with, making the score with PAT 19-9.

At the postgame interview, Coach Tommy Tuberville of the Ole Miss Rebels was filmed saying, “Peyton who? Dameyune Craig is the quarterback I’d rather not face in this conference. And that includes Peyton Manning. After today, I think you can see why I believe that Dameyune Craig puts more pressure on you than any quarterback we will play all year. He’s the best I’ve ever seen.”

And that was a decade ago. I wonder why his teams still struggle in the third quarter. I wonder if Tommy Tuberville, head coach of the Auburn Tigers, still feels that way about Dameyune Craig? I wonder if 10 years from now, his teams still struggle in the third quarter.
I wonder what this year's version of Auburn vs. Ole Miss will bring.

I wonder.

War Eagle,

WJLaneSr

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Blue Math

My oldest daughter is very good in mathematics. In fact, while at Auburn, she almost took enough mathematics to minor in the discipline. I, on the other hand, was never very good at mathematics. Perhaps for me it was that I spent not enough time chasing linear algebraic equations, and way too much time chasing abstract quadratic fun.

I do remember one thing from college algebra, however. I remember that in abstract algebra, the term “center” denotes the set of all those elements that commute with all the other elements. And though I think I still don’t fully understand “commutative property” as is used in binary operations, I do understand something about language. For me, the important thing about “commute” is the root word. It comes from the Latin word “communis”, which means “common”. We get the word “communicate” from it.

Therefore, the term “center” denotes the set of all those things surrounding it, and hence, communicates effectively with them.

And that is exactly what a Center does on a football team.

It was 40 years ago. The 1967 Auburn Tigers, under head coach Ralph “Shug” Jordan, had an offensive line that was anchored in the middle by one of the finest to ever play the game. He was their center, and their captain. He was the one who called the offensive blocking schemes at the line of scrimmage. He understood defensive line formations so well, that he was given the freedom to change the blocking schemes based on the play that was called, and the formations he saw when he came to the line of scrimmage. His teammates called him a “playing line coach”.

He snapped the ball to Loran Carter, Auburn’s quarterback who led the SEC in passing that year. His teammates included “Captain Crunch” Mike Kolen and Buddy McClinton. All-American Freddie Hyatt played for that team. And he was, for his time, one of the largest to ever play the position. He was 6’5”, 260 lbs. in 1967.

Forrest Blue was not only the captain of Auburn’s 1967 Tigers, but he was named “Most Valuable Lineman” at the senior bowl. He went on to have a stellar career in the National Football League. Blue was a first round draft choice of the San Francisco 49ers, and was All-Pro and a Pro-Bowler from 1971 through 1974. He played for the Baltimore Colts from 1975-1978. While playing for the 49ers, one of the quarterbacks who took his snaps was none other than Steve Spurrier.

The interesting thing about mathematics is that it comes from the Greek word “mathema”, which means “to learn”. So, I hope that you have “learned” about one the great “centers” of Auburn lore…….Forrest Blue…..communicator and captain of the 1967 Auburn Tigers.

War Eagle!

WJLaneSr

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Almost

My son fell asleep during the ballgame. He just couldn’t stay awake any longer. It was early in the third quarter, and Auburn was still ahead. This morning, when he woke up, his first words to me were, “Dad, don’t tell me who won…I want to see it on Sports Center.”

As soon as the television was turned on, the recap of the game was beginning. I stood there and watched….again….the painful catch on the last play. I thought to myself, “and Auburn loses on the last play.” Much to my surprise, my son’s comment to me was, “Gosh….we almost won on the last play.”

What a difference in the way to see last night’s ballgame! To me, I went to bed thinking “Auburn lost on the last play.” My son woke up this morning and said, “Auburn almost won on the last play.” If ever there was a negative way of looking at something (my view), and turning it to a positive way of looking at it (his view), this is it.

It made me think about the word “Almost”. According to the New English Oxford Collegiate Edition Dictionary, “almost” means “having all of the elements except for the finish.”

Auburn almost won. LSU was, by most prognosticators, one of the two best football teams in the nation. Auburn almost won. LSU had the best defensive line in the country. Auburn almost won. LSU had a homefield advantage in one of the most difficult venues for a visiting team to play in. Auburn almost won. LSU is a veteran team with veteran All-Americans on both sides of the ball. The mostly young Auburn Tigers almost won.

Auburn went head to head with LSU, having all of the elements to win the ballgame last night. Most portenders of College Football foretelling didn’t believe Auburn could. Auburn had all of the elements needed to win the football game last night except the finish on a miraculous catch by LSU. Auburn almost won.

Just a few weeks ago, this same team had over 15 turnovers in three games and was 1-2. The season was “almost” over. It had all of the elements to be a memorable season of disaster. Almost. Except for the finish.

We are now seeing the finish.

Though we were on the short end of the stick last night, Auburn has a very good football team. And though they weren’t supposed to, Auburn almost won. This after going on the road to beat Florida and Arkansas, with a home win vs. Vandy thrown in the middle.

What a finish indeed. Last night, Auburn almost won.

War Eagle,

WJLaneSr

Thursday, October 18, 2007

What's in a Name?

"What's in a name? That which we call a roseBy any other name would smell as sweet."
Lest you think all I read or am interested in is Auburn Football (which, according to my wife, on most occasions would be correct), this is actually one of my favorite lines from one of my (and here’s the deep, dark secret that you didn’t know about me) favorite plays….Romeo and Juliet. It is found in Scene II, Act ii, Lines 1-2.

Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet meet and fall in love in Shakespeare's lyrical tale of "star-cross'd" lovers. They are doomed from the start as members of two warring families. Here Juliet tells Romeo that a name is an artificial and meaningless convention, and that she loves the person who is called "Montague", not the Montague name and not the Montague family. Romeo, out of his passion for Juliet, rejects his family name and vows, as Juliet asks, to "deny (his) father" and instead be "new baptized" as Juliet's lover. This one short line encapsulates the central struggle and tragedy of the play.

So, if that be the case, then “what’s in a name?”

It’s kind of funny what we give names to. People, pets, boats, cars, body parts. No, I won’t comment on that….

We even give names to games. In fact, no college football series has more games with a name attached to it than the Auburn – LSU game. What, you don’t remember?

1988 was the “Earthquake Game.” With 1:47 left to play, LSU Quarterback Tommy Hodson found Running Back Eddie Fuller open on a crossing pattern for a touchdown on fourth and goal. The crowd eruption was so intense that it registered as an earthquake on the seismograph located in LSU’s Howe-Russell Geoscience Complex.

1994 was the “Interception Game (Pass Jamie Pass…Disaster on the Plains…same game)”. The Bengal Tigers of LSU led 23-9 entering the fourth quarter. LSU quarterback Jaime Howard threw five fourth quarter interceptions - three returned for touchdowns - as Auburn extended their winning streak to 15 games with a 30-26 win. That game cost Curley Hallman his job as LSU’s Head Coach.

1995 was the “Bring Back the Magic…Whistle Game”. LSU donned its white jerseys for a home game for the first time in 15 years, inspiring the Bengal Tigers, behind the play of QB Jaime Howard, to a 12-6 victory over fifth-ranked Auburn. And though LSU calls this the “Bring Back the Magic” game, we Auburn Tigers refer to it as “the Whistle Game,” because Patrick Nix was sacked for a safety when he stopped play after a fan in the stands blew a whistle. The whistle could be heard over the television broadcast and was even reported on the broadcast that a whistle had been blown calling the play dead.

1996 was the “Barn Burning Game”. LSU defeated Auburn 19-15 that year while the old Auburn Sports Arena, affectionately called "the Barn", burned to the ground across the street from Jordan-Hare Stadium. The fire began when a tailgater placed a barbecue grill too close to the building. Scenes of the fire were captured by ESPN during the national broadcast as flames were seen as high as the Jordan-Hare west upper-deck. The game was never delayed, and the Auburn public address announcer continually advised fans not to worry: "the stadium is not on fire; the flames are outside the stadium."

1999 was the “Smoke ‘Em if you Got ‘Em Game.” It was Tommy Tuberville’s birthday, and as a present, Auburn handed him a 41-7 drilling of LSU in a rare day game at Baton Rouge. In celebration, the Auburn players and coaches smoked cigars on the field at Tiger Stadium, much to the chagrin of the whipped LSU players and fans. This is cited among LSU faithful as the day the rivalry between LSU and Auburn officially began.

2004 was the “Extra Point(s) Game”. Defending national champion and fourth ranked LSU visited Auburn just days after Hurricane Ivan. Under Coach Nick Saban, the Bengal Tigers took a 9-3 lead but couldn't convert the extra point. Auburn tied the game with 1:14 left to play when Jason Campbell threw a 16-yard TD pass to Courtney Taylor. Entering the game, Auburn had successfully converted on 190 PAT’s; however AU kicker John Vaughn missed the extra point. A rare personal foul penalty was called on Ronnie Prude of LSU for jumping on the back of Auburn’s Center, and Vaughn connected on the second chance. Auburn would go on to win the SEC Championship, finish 13-0, No. 2 in the final AP Poll, and No. 1 in the final Fan’s Poll.

2005 was the “Doink Game”. The hero of the 2004 game, John Vaughn quickly became the scapegoat in Baton Rouge, as the normally reliable kicker missed five field goals - his final kick bouncing off the right upright in overtime. Auburn and LSU tied for the SEC West championship, but the win allowed LSU to play in the SEC Championship Game. Kenny Irons, who was caught by ESPN cameras guaranteeing a 200-yard game, provided a dominating 218-yard performance and cemented himself as AU starter.

2006 was the “Interference Game”. The game was held at Auburn, with the highest head-to-head ranking ever between Auburn and LSU, and played what several athletes on both teams considered their most physical game of the season. Both teams were early season national title contenders. At the end of the first half, LSU managed a last second field goal to take a 3-0 halftime lead. Auburn took the lead with a third quarter touchdown, and had two fourth quarter stops to win 7-3 in the lowest scoring game since an LSU 6-0 victory in 1935. During their first stop, AU defensive back Eric Brock deflected a JaMarcus Russell fourth down pass as AU defensive back Zach Gilbert made contact with LSU WR Early Doucet. Initially calling pass interference, the officials waved off the flag because the ball was ruled uncatchable due to a tip after the interference, giving Auburn the ball. In the final moments, playing with no time outs left, JaMarcus Russell threw short of the end-zone to Craig Davis and Brock delivered a hit on the four yard-line to seal the Auburn victory.

Now that we’ve taken a little stroll down Auburn-LSU name-game history, my question for you is….what will THIS year’s name be?

After all….what’s in a name?

War Eagle!
WJLaneSR

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Ken

I got the word at 6:20 p.m. Amsterdam time. It was 12:20 p.m. in Spartanburg. I am sure I shall always remember it. I wasn’t shocked, stunned or surprised. I was, however, brokenhearted.

He had struggled so much the last few weeks. One lung was no use at all…with no air capacity…no oxygen being taken into the supply of blood flow. The other lung was at approximately 20 % capacity. He was on pure oxygen flow, but continually asked to have his bed raised or lowered, the ceiling fan on or off, and the tubes realigned so that he could get more air. But he had pneumonia. It had set in as is often the case with someone in his condition. Cancer had destroyed his body.

I remember January 2001. I had just taken a job with Teijin, my current employer, and he had interviewed me. He was the Vice President of Manufacturing and Technology. My family and I were still living in Danville, Virginia, and I had a kidney stone attack. Unfortunately, this was an annual occurrence for me, and my Urologist had put a stint between my bladder and kidney. A couple of weeks later, I needed to have it removed, and a Urologist in Spartanburg agreed to do it. Of course, I had no home to recuperate in, no family to take care of me, no one to look after me. He told me not to worry, that he would take me to the doctor, take me to his house, let me recover there, regardless of how long it took, and his wife…who was a nurse….would take care of me. This they did. And more.

We traveled together in Europe. We were in Germany, in Austria, and departed from France. About one year later, I took Julie and Ansley with me to Germany and Austria, and to this day she accuses me of taking the “beer tour of Germany and Austria” with him. This is because everywhere we went, I would tell her, “oh yes…we had a beer there…”

I could tell so many stories about him and me. But I will keep most of them in my heart.

I saw him last week before I left Spartanburg for Holland. I reminded him of our trip to Europe, and told him that I would drink a beer for him while I was here. He looked at me, and said…”drink two”.

The call I received was from his son. He told me that my friend, Ken Bolin, had passed away about 15 minutes earlier. It was 6:20 p.m. I received the call in Holland. He told me that I was one of the first that Ken would want them to tell. He broke down during the conversation, and hardly made it through. I consoled him…tried to keep from breaking down myself….and finally said “goodbye.”

I called my wife and told her. I called our mutual friend, Ben, and told him. I sent a message to Ton in Japan, who is also a mutual friend, and our former boss. And then I went to the bar. This could have been a dangerous situation, but I didn’t allow it to be.

Ken…I had two beers for you. Actually, three. You would have appreciated that, and would have joined me with every one. In fact, you would have said, “Jeff, let’s have a beer or three.” I wish you could have been here. The froth was foamy, the beer was cool but not too cold, and the memories were almost overwhelming. I will miss you, my friend. You were more than a friend to me….you were my best friend in Spartanburg. I will always remember you. I will never forget you. I will cherish our friendship. And I already miss you….deeply.
Friends always……even beyond the grave…..Jeff.


WJLaneSr

Monday, October 15, 2007

What a Kick I got in Amsterdam

Oversized seats. Ability to lay back and put your feet up. Champagne. A fairly good dinner. Quiet. Sleep. These are a few of the reasons that I like Business Class on an international flight. I am very fortunate that my company allows me to fly Business Class, as it is SO much more comfortable and “work conducive” than Economy. And it was in Delta’s Business Elite that I flew from Atlanta to Amsterdam on Saturday evening.

Delta’s Business Class has two seats on each side, and two seats in the middle. I actually prefer the middle, because it means I have an aisle, and the person beside me doesn’t have to step over me to go to the bathroom or take a stroll. Unfortunately for me, the guy beside me was a big Ohio State fan, and the guy across the aisle from me was a big Florida Gator fan. And thought I enjoyed talking football with them for about an hour or so, I wanted to sleep. They wanted to talk. I was wondering how the Auburn Arkansas game was going. They were reliving last year’s national championship game. They were arguing the power of the Big Ten versus the SEC. I was trying to get my noise reduction Sony earphones to tune them out. Finally, after two Tylenol PM’s, I went to sleep.

I awoke as the captain announced that we were making our descent into the Amsterdam area. I could only think about two things. First, did my luggage make it, because I checked it. Second, did Auburn win or lose. It was 8:05 a.m. local time when we touched down….2:05 a.m. at home. I knew the ballgame was over. I knew that SportsCenter had given their analysis. I didn’t know the outcome.

I hustled through immigration and went to baggage claim. While there, I turned my cell phone on. It said I had two messages. The first message was from Orbitz, telling me that my flight was on time. The second message was from my son.

When you are in a foreign country, at an airport where you know absolutely no one, and where they speak a different language from you, any message from a loved one is welcomed. More than welcomed. Coveted might be closer to what it is.

Will’s voice came over the voice message through my cell phone and said, “Dad…we won. Auburn kicked a field goal at the very end of the game to win 9-7. It was just like Florida! And Dad…LSU lost and so did Cal. I love you….Will.”

I shook my fist and audibly said “War Damned Eagle…Yes!”

Florida boy was close to me. He looked at me…as did many people around me who had no idea what I was talking about…and said, “you must have won.”

I looked at him and smiled….and said, “yep…my son said we kicked a winning field goal at the end of the game….just like we did against ya’ll.” He smiled and walked toward customs. I did the same. I never saw him again. But I was as pumped up as if I had just seen the game myself. And though I didn't see it, I thought to myself...."what a kick!"

And to my son...what a kick...what a wonderful kick you gave me with that message....right here in Amsterdam.

War Eagle!
WJLaneSr

Friday, October 12, 2007

My Friend

When I was in college, I took several psychology classes, knowing that one day I would be working in SOME capacity where I had to deal with the human psyche. I took Introduction to Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Adolescent Psychology and others. No, I didn’t major or minor in it, but I guess I could have. But psychology classes don’t prepare you for your own emotions.

Today has been a roller coaster of emotions for me. First, I was excited because it is my wife’s and my second daughters’ birthdays. I love other people’s birthday, because I love to give gifts and see their faces…especially when they are surprised. To have both of their birthdays on the same day is really special. In fact, when my wife was pregnant with our second child, I told her that the baby would be born on her birthday because she loved her birthday too much (of course, I was right!!) I am cooking spaghetti for them tonight.

But the high of their birthdays was met with a very low also. As I posted in my blog earlier this week, I am traveling to Holland tomorrow. I will be gone for a week. This is during the same time that my best friend in Spartanburg has only a few days….maybe only a few hours….to live. I visited him yesterday and today. Today, I told him goodbye. He has severe bone cancer and is in severe pain. The cancer has destroyed his body, and he is ready to go home. I am SO overwhelmed with sadness about this. He was my golfing buddy, my confidant, my mentor and my friend. Today, he didn’t know me. He hasn’t been able to swallow water for two days. His time on earth is almost over, and my grief has only just begun. I REALLY regret that I will probably be in Europe when he goes home to see the Lord.

I know this is a big football weekend. As most of you know, I am as big a fan as any. But please, may I ask you….would you take a moment this weekend….either before or after the game…. and remember Ken. His wife’s name is Peggy. Their sons are Kenny and Steve, and they have three grandchildren. And he is my friend.

War Eagle,

WJLaneSr

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

A Bridge Too Far??

Arnhem is a typical Dutch town. It has a train station, is surrounded by many dairy farms, grows tulips, has a Van Gough museum, and has its own Red Light District. In fact, it is a law that every township in Holland must have at least one brothel that is regulated by the state, which, in their opinion, keeps organized crime out of the world’s oldest profession.

My wife, youngest daughter and I traveled to Arnhem 1 ½ years ago. The company I work for has the main European offices there. And now, I am traveling to Arnhem again. Unfortunately, I have a 12:30 p.m. flight on Saturday to Amsterdam, and will miss the Auburn – Arkansas football game. I HOPE I get a good internet connection when I arrive, so I can read about the game.

You may remember the book, or movie “A Bridge Too Far”. This is the story of the Allied attempt to push back the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands and liberate Holland at the Rhine River. The town was Arnhem. On September 17, 1944, 10,000 Allied paratroopers descended from the sky by parachute or glider behind enemy lines. Their goal: to secure the bridges across the rivers in Holland so that the Allied army could advance rapidly northwards and turn right into the lowlands of Germany, thereby skirting around the Siegfried line, which was the German defense line, and set up their own defense line. If all carried out as planned it should have ended the war by Christmas 1944. In order to succeed, the Allies had to put forth the best defense they had up to that point in the war. Unfortunately this daring plan, named Operation Market Garden, didn't have the expected outcome. The bridge at Arnhem proved to be 'a bridge too far'. After 10 days of bitter fighting the operation ended with the evacuation of the remainder of the 1st British Airborne Division from the Arnhem area.

Auburn faces a tremendous task on Saturday. The Hogs rushing game will be fierce. Auburn’s defense will need to control the line in order to secure a victory, and continue the liberation of its season. Fayetteville is a long way from Auburn, and the going will be tough. But it isn’t “too far”. To stop the rushing game of Arkansas is the primary factor needed for Auburn to secure a victory. Pull for them to do that while I am away.

War Eagle,

WJLaneSr.

Monday, October 8, 2007

I hate ties!

Former President Clinton liked his colorful and decorative. President Bush prefers red. Regis Philbin wants his to match his shirt. It is said that the Duke of Windsor has the largest collection in the world. And of course, Colonel Sanders wore the same black one, which became as much a part of his trademark as his mustache and goatee.

Ties have been made of every textile imaginable: silk, cotton, wool, rayon, lace, linen, rope, polyester, string, etc. They have been used to proclaim status, occupation, club membership, school affiliation, military rank, and to protect the neck and hide buttons. But whatever the material or use, I don’t like wearing them.

Maybe it’s my big neck. Maybe it is because I feel like I am choking. Perhaps it is because I always seem to be wearing a tie and white shirt when eating spaghetti. Oh, sure, it may look good, but it is uncomfortable. And in this day of business casual, I just prefer NOT to wear a tie unless I have no choice. Heck, I don’t even wear a tie to church anymore.

I just loathe ties.

All ties.

Fifteen years ago, the year when Arkansas gained admittance to the Southeastern Conference after spending decades in the AAA league Southwest Conference, they played the Auburn Tigers at Jordan Hare Stadium. It was 1992 and it was Pat Dye’s last year as head coach of the Auburn Tigers. Joe Kines was the interim head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks, taking over after Jack Crowe’s game 1 loss in the debacle with the Citadel.

Auburn’s James Bostic rushed for a career high 211 yards and two touchdowns that day. One of his touchdown runs was for 53 yards. Auburn outgained Arkansas 438 to 214 total yards. And on a day when they ran the ball up and down the field, Auburn remembered its greatest rusher of all time at the half. Bo Jackson was honored and his number 34 was retired that day. The day couldn’t have been any better for Auburn fans….or so we thought.

But this day belonged to the kickers. For all it’s abilities to run the ball, Auburn could only muster two touchdowns. Scott Etheridge kicked three field goals that day, including one at the three minute mark in the fourth quarter, to tie the Arkansas Razorbacks, 24-24. Arkansas kicked 4 field goals themselves, and returned an intercepted pass 85 yards for a touchdown. Pat Dye was quoted after the game as saying, “It eats my gut out to get a bunch of kids ready to play and get them to go out and play as hard as we can and not be able to enjoy a win, when we were supposed to win and when we should have won.”

And so, with no overtime in college football back in 1992, Auburn kissed it’s newest western cousin. A tie. 24 -24.

I hate ties.

War Eagle!
WJLaneSr

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Honoring the '57 Auburn Tigers

I think I am a history teacher wannabe. I don’t quite know why, but I have always enjoyed history. Understanding what cultures were like before ours, how they rose and fell, how that influenced the future; these things just interest me. I also love to play those trivia games that require one to know a lot of meaningless factual data, the knowledge of which adds absolutely no value to anything. So maybe instead of a history teacher wannabe, I am a professional trivia player wannabe.

In any case, this is a week for remembrance. A week for history. A week to look back at the history of Auburn Football. Most of you know that on Saturday, the Tigers will be honoring the 50th anniversary of the 1957 National Championship Team by wearing all white, with no stickers on the helmet. Many activities celebrating their season will be held during the weekend. Most of us who read this blog, however, were either too young to remember the team, or not yet born. Therefore, I want to share a little of the history of that team that you might not find any place else. For those of you old enough to remember….enjoy the memory. For the rest of us….listen up, we might learn something.

Shug Jordan’s team in 1957 had a tremendous defense. In 10 games, they gave up a combined 28 points. Never did they give up more than 7 points in a game. And you thought playing tough, smashed-mouth defense at Auburn was only a recent thing! So buckle your seat belts and enjoy these two flashbacks.

Since we are coming off the tremendous win at Florida this past week, let’s begin by looking at the 1957 Auburn-Florida game. Cliff Hare Stadium was overflowing with a homecoming crowd of over 36,000. Auburn’s stingy defense held the Gators to only 36 yards rushing and 46 yards passing. I didn’t notice whether the quarterback was named “Tebow”. Auburn, on the other hand, gained 301 yards on the ground and 80 yards in the air, as the Tigers cruised to a 13-0 victory.

I would be remiss to leave the 1957 Iron Bowl out of the article. Birmingham’s Legion Field was packed with 44,000 shivering fans, as the temperature stayed in the 30’s. Tommy Lorino rushed 4 times for 56 yards, and intercepted an Alabama pass, running it back 79 yards for a touchdown. Auburn led 34-0 at halftime and never looked back. Winning 40-0, Auburn that day also won the Associated Press National Championship.

As Auburn takes the field on Saturday wearing all-white, close your eyes for a moment. Feel the history of Auburn Lore blow over you like the cool autumn wind. Remember that on this very gridiron, legends were made and heros were born. Remember that 50 years ago, a group of young men set the mark by which all future Tiger teams would be measured. Unfortunately, not all of them are still with us. But most of them who are will be honored on their field of battle. And when those young men….now gray haired and retired…..walk out onto the field to be honored, stand up. Take off your hat. Clap your hands. Loud. Stick out your chest. Be proud. Pay your respects to them. And never let your children forget…..THIS…is Auburn Football.

War Eagle!
WJLaneSr

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

"Just Another Day in Paradise" --- Phil Collins

It was just another day. I was a sophomore in college. The girl I was dating at the time became my wife 22 months later. I am not sure what I was studying at the time (besides her), but I know it was 2 days after her birthday. That would have been October 14, 1978.

I didn’t go to the game that day, and I am sure I didn’t see it on T.V. I was attending a junior college in the north Georgia Mountains, and the television reception was only good for 2.5 channels (the .5 was because NBC came and went, depending on the weather). The old Philco television in the dorm lounge had a set of rabbit ears, which were usually covered with yards of aluminum foil. The best reception occurred when someone had their hand on the foil, which caused everyone in the lounge area to yell at the unfortunate person touching the foil….”DON’T MOVE!!!”

Nashville, Tennessee was the setting for what, on that day, would become an Auburn record that Bo Jackson would tie, and only Cadillac Williams, 26 years later, would break. The weather was clear and crisp, as it can often be during a Nashvillian autumn. Van Heflin was the quarterback for the Commodores. Unfortunately, he was injured on that day, and had to leave the game early in the third quarter. But even if he had remained healthy, the day belonged to someone else. A person who would not only have a breakout day, but set an Auburn record that would stand for over 25 years.

On that day, Auburn beat Vanderbilt 49-7. They rode their workhorse running back, Joe Cribbs, who set an Auburn record by scoring 5 touchdowns in a single game. It was virtually impossible to tackle him on that day, and because of the “tear-away” jerseys they wore, strips of navy blue were scattered all over the field. It was a day of total domination by the Auburn Tigers.

In fact, were it not for an Auburn fumble in their own endzone by quarterback Charlie Trotman, Vanderbilt wouldn’t have scored at all. Fast Freddie Smith had blocked a punt, the Auburn defense led by Smith and James McKinney was dominant, and the offense ran at will.

It was a day for the record books. A day when an Auburn running back would make a name for himself. But when you think about Auburn running backs, and you think about days like this…..you realize that at Running Back U……it was just another day in paradise.

War Eagle!

WJLaneSr

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

100

100 is an interesting number. When a student takes a test and gets all of the answers correct, they get a “100”. A 100 year old person is a “centenarian (I have a great aunt, Ethel, who will be just that in the spring of 2008!) If I have a pretty good day on the golf course, I shoot 100. While we are mentioning golf, 100 yards is the minimum distance a Par 3 can be under USGA rules. Ben Franklin’s picture is on the $100 bill. For you scientists out there (like my elder daughter), you know that 100 degrees Celsius is the boiling temperature of pure water at sea level. A Scrabble game set has 100 tiles. But 100 isn’t always good.

If you have a 100 in the score for your eyesight, you are blind. In Belgium, if you dial “100” on the telephone, you have a medical emergency. And if 100 is the bottom number of your blood pressure, then your BP is high (and I am sure before Saturday’s final kick, mine was).

Many things happened in the year 100. The Roman army reached 300,000 strong. Bricks became the primary building material. Paper began to be used by the general populace in China. The wheelbarrow made its first appearance in the year 100. Justin Martyr, who became a great Christian apologist, was born. Finally, and I know you are waiting with baited breath to hear this bit of trivia; lions became extinct in the Balkans in the year 100.

On Saturday, there is another event surrounding the number 100. In case you didn’t know it, Tommy Tuberville needs just 1 more win to amass 100 victories during his career as a head coach. He has a career record of 99-51 in 13 seasons, and when he gets his 100th win, he will join the ranks of Steve Spurrier, Phil Fulmer, Rich Brooks and Houston Nutt as being the only coaches in the SEC to reach that mark. And no, that esteemed group does NOT include Saban, Miles, Mayer or Richt.

Therefore, at the Vanderbilt game on Saturday, while you are digesting your breakfast bagel and coffee, remember the number 100. Shout “War Eagle” 100 times during the game. Encourage the running backs to gain over 100 yards…each. Expect one of the receivers to have a breakout game and gain over 100 yards in receptions. Look for the defense to hold Vandy to less than 100 yards rushing and less than 100 yards passing. And most of all….wish Tommy Tuberville a happy 100th after the final horn sounds.
He’s earned it.

War Eagle

WJLaneSr

Monday, October 1, 2007

Tubs Legal Problem

Tommy Tuberville may be in more trouble than just the sideline warning he received on Saturday night. You remember his tirade….the one when he threw his earphones down in front of the head linesman referee and had to be physically restrained by Will Muschamp? Unfortunately for him….and maybe also for all Tiger fans….this may not be the only penalty or repercussion that Tuberville receives. Throwing a HUGE wet blanket over our red-hot celebration of a classic victory, it looks like there may be more punishment on the way. Evidently, Tommy Tuberville is being accused of violating State of Florida Code 24-143-79b.c (1) a.

Call him the best coach in the State of Alabama. You can’t argue that point. Call him a winner against the best. He’s 9-1 against top ten teams since he’s been at Auburn. Call him the Riverboat Gambler. Though of late, he hasn’t shown that as much, it is hard to look at his career and say that he isn’t. The one thing I thought I would NEVER hear said about him was the term “Felon”. Or worse, if he is convicted, “Convicted Felon”.

Yes, according to Florida Code 24-143-79b, which regulates the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission, it is a felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and up to $150,000 fine, according to subpart c(1)a “to….tease, harass, molest, capture and/or kill alligators.” The law goes on to say that “controlling, regulating, managing and/or owning alligators is strictly regulated and solely controlled by the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission.”

Tommy Tuberville may in fact be found guilty of all of the above. Controlling Gators. Owning Gators. Killing Gators. If and when a jury looks at the facts as laid before them, it would be very, very difficult not to find him guilty. And all it takes to find a person guilty in a court of law is to find them guilty beyond a “reasonable doubt.”

Look at the evidence. Tuberville brought an almost 20 point underdog into the nesting ground of the state of Florida’s protected reptile…the swamp….and systematically controlled, managed, owned and ultimately kicked the life out of it’s precious nest of baby gators. Where was bull gator when they needed him? (Someone said coaching another team against Mississippi State earlier in the day).

And if that evidence isn’t enough, his cohorts in crime….following the death dagger through the goalposts of the little cold blooded lizards hearts….teased and harassed the “left-for-dead” gators by doing their own version of the “chomp chomp”.

Fortunately for Auburn, Tuberville crossed state lines during the night and is now out of the jurisdiction of the great state of Florida. Maybe, and hopefully, they will choose not to prosecute him, but rather try to forget him. After all, there was another legal term at work on Saturday night. Tuberville brought it with him from Auburn, and left it in The Swamp. It’s called double jeopardy. The shape the gators found themselves in about 11:30 p.m. Saturday night after losing the second straight time to the Auburn Tigers.

War Eagle!

WJLaneSr