Sipsey community in Walker County reflects on progress one year after tornadoes

Here is my report from Sipsey for our 1 year recovery on Alabama's 13 News
Sipsey community in Walker County reflects on progress one year after tornadoes

Argo community in Walker County continues rebuilding after tornadoes

Here is my story I did for the 1 year recovery on Alabama's 13 News
Argo community in Walker County continues rebuilding after tornadoes ripped through town

So NBA players can play basketball #NBAPLAYOFFS



Maybe it was the long layoff or compressed schedule, but basketball product that the NBA has produced this season has been sloppy at best. I know that the regular season in the NBA is usually just an up and down the court with no real defense play. There's never a lot of intensity in the regular season, but this season has been passionless.

Then comes the playoffs (the real season starts) the last two nights you have seen teams playing defence, with intensity, passion etc... How great would the NBA be if every team played like the Clippers did in the fourth quarter all season? Why can't Andrew Bynum block 10 shoots during the regular season? Why don't the Celtics and Hawks play with the same intensity as they did in the final five minutes of game one? How many teams did the Heat hold under 70 in the regular season? None.

I though the shorter season would maybe make the play of the regular season better. It was so compressed that teams didn't get a lot of rest which equaled sloppy play. I'm just glad that the poor excuse play of the regular season is over, and the playoffs are here.

04/27/2011 one year later: The saddest day / proudest year

The day of 4/27/2011

Looking back on the last year, and the memories can still be haunting. The earliest memory I have about the outbreak was in a e-mail, that Monday before the 27th one of my bosses sent out a email saying Jerry Tracey (our chief meteorologist) thinks this could be the worst tornado outbreak in years and to be prepared to work long extra shifts. I knew then it was going to be bad.

The morning of April 27th started out with the sounds of tornado sirens, I wasn't even home I spent the night at a sleep clinic, but my wife and kids were alone. Against better judgement I left out in the storm and rushed home the moment I pulled into my neighborhood I knew something was wrong. The power was out and small branches and leafs filled the streets, the closer I got to my house the worst it got. I pulled in my driveway, three trees where toppled over all had missed my house, the chimney was half way pulled down and my roof had started leaking, my wife and son was shaken but otherwise unharmed a true blessing. The sun came up and I prayed that the afternoon storms wouldn't be as bad as the morning round, but that wouldn't be the case.

No power, a baby and more storms coming in sent us looking for another place to stay. My wife has an aunt who still had power, and a basement. I was off work on that day so I was able to flip though all the local coverage as the super cells started rolling in. I will never forget seeing the tornadoes tear though Cullman and Tuscaloosa, to see something like that on a tower camera in Alabama is very rare. A EF4 tornado came about five miles from where we was at the time, but we was okay. The power had now shut off, and I remember going out on the front porch and just laying down as the front moved in. Sitting there in the dark as the cool wind blew over me, I almost felt alone in the world something I have never felt. I didn't know how many had lost there lives, but there was just a feeling in the wind I knew 100's where dead.

Working in the news I went out and covered damage all across the state. I can remember at one point I came across a home where I was told the couple there had died. I think then and there it really hit me to what had really happened, It was the point where it all sunk in I couldn't help it, but to break down right there and cry.

But over the past year I've seen so many people so willing to help and give. I've seen rubble turned into new homes and buildings. Lives have been honored and towns that I though couldn't come back from this HAVE. I can truly say this year has been the proudest I've ever been of this state. I'm truly blessed to have live though, covered, and witnessed an un-dieing spirit.

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13

Ranking the top 14 SEC coaches



Okay now that Arkansas has hired John L. Smith as there 2012 head coach it's time for me to rank the new order of power in the SEC. Ranking SEC coaches is a very ticky thing, Spurrier once was the face of the SEC, Chizik has a national title and a record just above .500, Richt has the record but no natinoal titles.

SEC TOP 14 COACHES

1. Nick Saban - This is probably the easiest one to rank with three national titles at two different schools and a record of 146-54-1 Saban is clearly tops in not just the SEC, but the nation.
2. Steve Spurrier - Ten years ago he would have topped this list, but five years ago he would be more like fifth. The last two season along with his Florida days are enough for me to move the ole ball coach back into the top two. What he's now doing at South Carolina has never been done before. Last years SEC east champions and followed that up with a ten win season. His record is 197-75-2 and has won one national championship.
3. Les Miles - The Mad Hatter, was on his way to a prefect season until he meet Saban for the second time. Miles coaching job in that game was horrendous, that along got him moved below Spurrier. Miles has a very impressive record though at 103-39 with one national title. 
4. Mark Richt - His record of 106-38 along with his two SEC championships are very impressive, but he's never gotten the Bulldogs over the national title hump. He won the SEC east last year and looks primed to be back in Atlanta again.
5. Gary Pinkel - Before Pinkel got to Mizzou in 2001 they were nothing! A few years later and the Tigers was a Big 12 Championship game away from going to the national championship. In his 21 years as a head coach his record is 158-91-3. I do think it's going to take some time for them to adjust to the power play of the SEC, but I see Pinkel and Mizzou become a player in the east maybe this year. 
6. Gene Chizik - He's done something most coaches dream of and that's lifting up the crystal ball, but it was bookended with so-so seasons and the 5-19 Iowa St record keeps Chizik out of the top five for right now. Since he's been there recruiting has been at a high level, and if he can start to improve on his 35-29 record some more then he could break into my list top five. 
7. Will Muschamp - We know his passion and fire for the game, he puts that on display every week, but can he put together a winning team as a head coach? Like most coaching Jobs the first year has to be a throw away look at Alabama's first year under Saban. Muschamp has a long history of being a good coach, and his that history that keeping him out of the seller of the SEC coaches. 
8. Kevin Sumlin - I think Sumlin is a great hire by Texas AM and one that could make them a player in the SEC. They have been able to get talent into College Station, but Sherman couldn't put it all together. Sumlin will bring a high powered passing attack to a defences heavy SEC, now I don't think he will catch magic in a bottle like Spurrier did in the 90's, but It will be something SEC D's are not used to seeing. 
9. John L. Smith -  I think Arkansas moved themselves back five years by making this hire, but that's TBD. Smith brings a lot of experience as a head coach, but there was a reason the Hogs stole him from Weber St not Michigan St. Smith is a charter, but the Hogs are loaded and I think they will have a good season. Smith will sign a new deal, but then start to do like he does everywhere else. I could see him moving down my list. Overall he's 132-86
10. Dan Mullan -  He's made Mississippi St into bowl caliber team, now at some place this would get you fired, but for Miss St it's something rarely done. His record only shows at 21-17, but if he was at a school with more resources then they sky might be the limit. I'm not sure how much longer Mullan sticks around, but anyone with a winning record at state deserves a bigger job. 
11. James Franklin - Taking Vandy to a bowl game in your first year is no easy task in fact it might have been one of the best coaching jobs in the nation last season. Vandy was just a few bad breaks from going 8-5, 9-4 ish. Franklin won't be in Nashville very long if he stays on his current track, next year he might make a huge jump in my rankings.
12. Hugh Freeze - He was mighty impressive at Arkansas St taking them to a 30-7 record during his time there. Freeze will bring some success to Ole Miss, but it might take some time. I think Freeze could bring Ole Miss on to the same level Mullan has Miss St (6-6; 7-5) which sounds good right now if your a rebels fan. 
13. Derek Doodley - At one time I thought he would make a very good head coach, but after watching him the past two season up in Knoxville I'm having major second thoughts. Doodley looks like a deer in the head lights, and just doesn't seem to have "it". Over all he's 28-34 and if he's going to have to get way above .500 to save his job. 
14. Joker Phillips - At one point in time I would have gave the Kentucky coach the same leniency that I would give the Vandy coach. But when Phillips took over the Wildcats where a 7/8 win team, and now there a 4/5 win team. For Joker to get out of last place in the SEC he will have to get his record of 11-14 above .500 and start getting the Cats back in bowls.

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter: @Patrickp13



Sarah Patterson deserves a statue!

In case you missed it over the weekend the Alabama Gymnastics team won there 6th National Championship and 2nd in a row. Does 6 National Titles sound familiar? It should, its the same number of championships that Paul "Bear" Bryant won in his time at Alabama.

Now I know that gymnastics and football mean two totally different things in the state of Alabama, but after back to back titles and her 6th overall something has to be done. Its time the University of Alabama put a statue of Sarah Patterson up and dedicated it to her six titles. It would make for a nice addition to the walkway of Coleman Coliseum (There's not anything else to celebrate for that building) then again how many years was it after the Bear won his 6th before they ever got a statue for him?

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13



NFL 2012 Mock Draft!

NFL Mock Draft 2012

 NFL DRAFT TONIGHT 7PM CST ESPN

I'm just having a little fun this morning taking my shot a predicting the 2012 NFL draft. Okay well not the whole draft, but I'm going to give you my pick for the first round.

1. Andrew Luck / Colts - They're looking for the next Peyton Manning, and maybe they will get that from Luck, but I'm not sold on that. I'm not saying Luck won't be a good NFL QB, but I don't think he will be the next Manning/Brady type.
2. Robert Griffin III / Redskins -  I think over the long term RG3 could be better than Luck, but I think it could take a few years for him to find his game in the NFL. He faced weak Big12 defences in college, and will take some time to adjust to the speed of the NFL, but I think he could be a top 10 QB in the NFL one day. 
3. Matt Kalil / Vikings -  Easily the top offencive lineman in the draft, and will fill a need in Minnesota. Football games are won and lost in the trenches. 
4. Trent Richardson / Browns - I think the Browns will be looking to add some weapons around Colt McCoy, and Trent Richardson is almost a sure bet when it comes to looking at NFL RB's. Trent has power, speed, and durability. 
5. Morris Claiborn / Bucs -  Claiborn is the best cover guy in the draft, he's not known for his speed, but you can't ignore his play on the Field. He was a QB in high school so maybe that's why he seems to have a special understating of where the ball is going to go. 
6. Justin Blackmon / Rams - In college Blackmon could take over a game just get him the rock so to speak. He's a little short at 6'1", but I think he will find is way in the NFL.
7. Melvin Ingram / Jags - Although I think It might be a better move to work on there offence, the Jags are really looking at Ingram. I guess there going with the old saying offence puts butts in the seats, but defence wins championships (BTW The Jags could use some butts in the seats).
8. Ryan Tannehill / Dolphins - I don't think Tannehill is a top ten guy, but the Dolphins need a QB, and I think they will take a shot on Tannehill. 
9. Fletcher Cox / Panthers - Last season the Panthers went with Cam Newton who turned the offence around, and this year they will use there pick to work on there defence. I think Cox will add some much needed help the there D-line.
10. Micheal Floyed / Bills - The Bills will be looking to add to there offence, they might go with Riley Reiff here, but I think they will end up with a WR 
11. Luke Kuechly / Chiefs
12. Quinton Coples / Seahawks
13. Riley Reiff / Cards
14. Mark Barron / Cowboys
15. Micheal Brockers / Eagles
16. Courtney Upshaw / Jets
17. David Decastro / Bengals
18. Whitney Mercils / Chargers
19. Kendall Wright / Bears
20. Stephon Gilmore / Titans
21. Dre Kirkpatrick / Bengals
22. Stephen Hill / Browns
23. Mike Adams / Lions
24. Dontair Poe / Steelers
25. Jerel Worthy / Broncos
26. Rueben Randle / Texans
27. Chandler Jones / Pats
28. Shea McClellin / Packers  
29. Dont'a Hightower / Ravens
30. Coby Fleener / 49ers
31. Harrison Smith / Pats
32. Nick Perry / Gaints

So there it is Dominate 365 first ever mock draft! If you was counting that five first round players for Alabama.

A-Day is over and now we start the dead period for sports

Alabama A-Day Headlines

• The White team won the steak dinner with a 24-15 victory, beans await the Crimson team.
• Over 78 thousand enjoyed the great weather while watching the annual spring game.
• AJ McCarron 29 of 42 for 304 yards with 2 TD's but 3 INT's. What I take from this is they let AJ toss the ball around 42 times! Signs of things to come? 
• Phillip Sims 9 of 12 for 135 2 TD's, Good numbers with a bad shoulder.
• TJ Yeldon 16 carries for 88 yards and 5 catches for 91 more yards. Yeldon looks like the next great Bama player to wear the number 4. Yeldon's 179 all purpose yards was very impressive.
• Tide picked put two 4-Star commits. Anthony Averett a DB from New Jersey and Deon Johnson a Athlete from Spanish Fort.    

Auburn A-Day Headlines

•  Offense beats the Defense 36 to 27, keep in mind Auburn has a non standard scoring system for there A-Day
• Over 43,000 showed up down on the plains.
• Kiehl Frazier 7 of 9 for 92 yards as the starting QB
• Zeke Pike 4 of 8 for 42
• Moseley didn't play much because of a bad shoulder, but was 5-6 for 62 yards
• Mike Blakely 5 carriers for 65 yards. He lead all rushers
• Auburn unveiled there new Heisman statues.
• Auburn also picked up two commitments a 4-Star Cameron Toney a LB from Huntsville and Jarrad Davis a 3-Star LB from Kingsland, GA 

 Dead Period

Now the dead period start for those who think of college football as there favorite sport. From now until camp starts is to me by far the worst time for sports. Sure we have the NBA finals which can be fun, and I know there's about 100 MLB baseball games too oh and don't for get about Nascar, but I will be counting down ever day until football season from here on out.

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13



Birmingham sports talk line up changes? (UPDATED)

97.3 The Zone Line up Starting at the end of April

• 6am - 10am Kevin Scarbinsky and Scott Giffin - Scarbinsky is a colonists for the Birmingham News and current sports talk radio co host of Baribeau & Scarbo. Giffin long time Birmingham sports media member has had a few different talk shows over the years along with sports anchoring at NBC 13 and currently on the CBS 42 sports team.
• 10am - 12pm Matt Coulter - Also a long time Birmingham sports media member. He currently has a show on 97.3 now, but they are moving him up in the day and getting ride of the Tim Brando show. I like the Brando show and wish they would keep it, but I work in the media and know that in house shows make more money than syndicated shows.
• 12pm - 3pm The Sports Czars - The new show will consist of most of the staff from the Rick and Bubba show including Calvin Wilburn AKA "Speedy"; Greg Bussey; and Micheal Helms AKA "Helmsley". I would imagine this show will be much like the local AM Saturday and Sunday on WJOX.
• 3pm - 7pm Rachel Baribeau & Max Howell - Baribeau will stay in her time slot, but Max Howell will replace Scarbinsky. Howell is a long time sports radio host from all along the southeast and used to coach at Florida St and Ole Miss.  

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97.3 The Zone new line up?

This morning while flipping between The Opening Drive and Bill King I decided to switch it over to 97.3 The Zone where Matt Coulter was filling in . He was talking about the changes coming to 97.3 and there new line up, then he quickly read though the new shows coming to Birmingham's other sports talk channel. I haven't been able to find it in print anywhere yet so this is not %100 accurate, but its the best can remember.

Scott Giffin is returning to Birmingham radio to do a new morning show with Kevin Scarbinsky, this is replacing the House United Eli and Stan show.

Tim Brando is getting the axe and there going to do some sort of Rick, Bubba & Speedy sports talk show. There might even be one more person on this show, but like I said Matt just kind of read though every thing pretty fast.

Matt Coulter keeping his mid afternoon spot.

The late show will be Rachel Baribeau and a new guy who's name escapes me right now, but as soon as it is official released I will update with all the accurate information.

Like I said I haven't seen nothing officially and when I will do I will update again, but this is what I heard while driving in this morning, make of it what you will.

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13

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It was only on for about 8 or so months, but the Eil and Stan show is now history. They have simply gotten to busy to wake up at 4:30am M-F. Stan has a new baby on the way plus doing Auburn games along with his insurance agency. Eli along with the Bama Football has Nascar and NHL to broadcast plus he owns a restaurant.

They will be missed, it was nice to have a backup to the Opening Drive if I didn't care for what they was talking about, but I can remember the days of all we had was one AM sports talk station. They haven't anncouned the next show for 97.3 The Zone, but I'm sure COX will come up with something.

Eric Spoelstra has turned off the Heat.

Photo from Bleacherreport.com

The new big three, a dream team, the greatest ever, forecasting seven world championships! These where the words of many when the King James took his talents to South Beach, but where is that team? Sure they was a game way from winning it all last season, but the best team in the NBA should be able to win any seven game series. Now it's almost playoff time again, and the Heat is more like lukewarm. I said it since day one that this current team would never win a championship, I always felt they would get in each others way, there's no bench and lastly I didn't see Eric Spoelstra as a championship coach.

They have worked around each other pretty well because Bosh has not lived up to all of his hype and James and Wade just kind of flip flop control. The bench is still not a championship bench, and they don't get great play at the point, but if James and Wade are both playing to there talents they can get around that. What I think now is holding them back the most is Eric Spoelstra. How can he not get more wins out of this team that was handed to him I don't know. They should be a force, but since the all-star break they look more like the 3rd best team in the east. In the last ten days the ageing Celtics hammered the Heat up in Boston and then went down to South Beach and controlled that game as well. Last night they had a big lead on a Bulls that's not %100, but they lost it in overtime.

The buck stops at the top as they say and the top of the Heat is Eric Spoelstra. Its his job to call the play sets and to give this team an Identity and most of the time it seems as if they have neither. If I was Pat Riley I would boot him out and take over because as long as Spoelstra is there the Heat won't be at full flame.

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patirckp13

College football games in the spring???

Photo: rolltide.com

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney laid out his plan to bring real college football games in the spring to replace your typical "A-Day" games. These would just be practice games and wouldn't count for anything, but he thinks it would enhance popularity, be entertaining, and generate revenue. The full write up can be found here from the Atlanta Journal Constitution: Dabo Swinneys plan to revolutionize college football

So is this a good idea and can it work? Yes and Yes! I would love it if Alabama was playing Georgia Tech tomorrow or Auburn was playing Florida State in a practice game or even jamboree style. Although people have tired pro spring football and it has failed, I still say there is a market for football in the spring and college football could pull it off.

Can it really work? Now if you really think about the logistics of it then there is some red lights, but I think they can be fixed. First off the NCAA would just have to allow it to happen and at the end of the day the school would decide if they want to play a practice game or if there better off just playing them self's. Smaller schools wouldn't have a lot to gain from this. Do you cares if North Texas and Rice get together to play a spring game? Both schools would lose money on that deal, so in that case the cons out weigh the pros. Big time programs would easily be able to flourish in a spring game.

It's kind a of like college play offs it's been talked about before and there have been good plans made for it, but nothing ever gets put into action. Maybe one day college football fans will have there say in the matter until then "A-Day" games and the BCS will have to work. One last note if colleges start doing spring practice games it would have to stay family friendly, because spring games for some is the only time they can actually take there family to a game.

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13

Where does Arkansas go now?

Photo from: Deadspin.com
UPDATED ON 4/23/2012

ARKANSAS HIRES JOHN L. SMITH (laughable)

Image from www.commercialappeal.com

Today the University of Arkansas announced there replacement for Bobby Petrino ----> John L. Smith will be taking over for the Hogs for this season, he will only have a 10 month deal, but with Nile Davis and Tyler Wilson, Smith should be able to win 10 games. Which I think will happen and if I was a Razorback I would pray for a losing season, because 10 wins season for Smith will equal a contract extension. Is an extension something you want from a 63 year old who's last HC job he went 22-26 and was fired after four year on the job up in East Lansing.

Here's a good read for you (Smith Jilts Wildcats) ,  John L. Smith just left Arkansas as there special teams coach to be the HC of Weber St his Alma Mater. When asked about his coaching philosophy at Weber St he replied ""Loyalty is No. 1." I'm sure the kids at Weber St feel that loyalty, but I guess money talks$

This is how I see it playing out: He knows the players and will keep the system, and win 10 or so games this season. He then will get a 4+ year deal worth millions, and go something like 21-15 over the next three years moving Arkansas back to the middle of the SEC West. Then you guessed it he will be canned. Bad move Arkansas I really do think you just set yourself back five years if not more.

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The dust is finally starting to settle after running Bobby Petrino out of town, now its time for Arkansas's AD Jeff Long to start looking at the future. There are two routes he can go. The first route he could choose to hire away a head coach from another program and sign him to a new deal. The second road he could go down would be much like the one Ohio State took and give the keys to an assistant and hire a big name coach at seasons end.

If Long just wants to get this over with and move on then they might have a shot at UAB's Garrick Mcgee or Arkansas State's Gus Malzahn. Both Mcgee and Malzahn have served time at Arkansas and both are only a few months into there new jobs. There are some other rumors out there that Arkansas might make a run at Art Briles of Baylor, Skip Holtz of South Florida, or Tommy Tuberville of Texas Tech, but I think all would be a long shot since its already April.

If Long decides to go the Ohio State way and give Tavor Johnson the keys to the Hog for a season, then after the season go and try to get the best coach available. Also that would give him a year to watch Mcgee and Malzahn on the job, because both of them will still be on the list in a year. Others like Briles, Holtz, or Tuberville might be begging for this job come winter. They might even get lucky and have someone like a Bobby Petrino fall in there lap again.

If Long wants Malzahn or Mcgee and they want to come then it might be the best move, but I'm not sold on that. I think it would be best to just wait it out for a season, there's enough talent up there for a nice season no matter who is running the show.

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13  

Bubba Watson had the swing and got the shot!

In the second hole of the sudden death over time at The Masters Bubba Watson shanked his tee shot back into the woods. At that time it felt as if it could be the shot that lost him a chance at a green jacket. Louis Oostuizen who at this time had the most unbelievable shot in the tournament with a double eagle earlier that day, but Oostuizen tee shot was horrible "probably spun a bit out of it, catching it off the heel, It just left me a lot further back than I wanted to be." then on his second shot he still left it short of the green. Bubba is now sitting in the woods looking at his ball and planning out his shot when he told his caddie "If I have a swing, Ive got a shot" moments later Bubba Watson would hit the shot of his life, and one the greatest I've ever seen wedging it up and hooking it around the trees and sticking it about ten feet from the hole. Bubba would then two putt it in and win his first green jacket.

Looking at those two quotes first from Louis Oostuizen "probably spun a bit out of it, catching it off the heel, It just left me a lot further back than I wanted to be" After Bubba Watson hit it well into the woods Oostuizen who has one of the best swings in all of golf decided to play if safe, and just get it down the fairway, but he played it short and to the right. If Oostuizen plays aggressive right her and hits his shot then he's probably a Masters champ. Bubba who said "If I have a swing, Ive got a shot" it was this aggressive attitude that allowed him to hit that amazing shot. If Bubba would have just played it safe and hit it back towards the fairway like most would have done then he would at best forced another round. But playing it safe is not what you get from a guy who owns a general lee from the Dukes of Hazard or from a guy who hasn't had a golf lesson since the age of ten.

365 Suggested Reads about The Masters:

• Watson moving up after Masters win (ESPN)
• Go-for-broke ways work for Bubba Watson (USA-TODAY)
• Bubba's shot from the woods

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on twitter @Patrickp13

365 Sunday Sports Lineup and Masters Preview

Sports History For April 7th

1974 - Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run to break Babe Ruth's home run record.
For more sports history (On-this-day.com)

365 Sports line up

• PGA: The Masters 1:00pm CST on CBS
• MLB: Braves vs Mets 12:10pm CST
• NBA: Bulls vs Knicks 12:00pm CST ABC

The Masters Predictions and Preview

It's the final day of The Masters and what yesterday showed was anything can happen as the leader board was flipped upside down. Peter Hanson is sitting atop that leader board shooting 9 under par. The Sweden has never won a major his best finish was tied for 7th in last years US Open. The question with Hanson is can he handle the heat? He has some wins, but his lack of major attention may cause him to chock. Phil Mickelson had an amazing round yesterday putting him back in it at 8 under par. Mickelson has three green jackets and I think he will be on his way to winning his Fourth. There are some other players out there today who will have a say in who gets the green jacket. Louis Oosthuizen at 7 under par played a very solid round yesterday, and looks to have a lot of momentum. Bubba Watson maybe the most consistent player in this years Masters and is only 3 shots off the lead. Matt Kuchar is the dark horse today, if he gets out to a quick start and makes some brides then he could end  up in the thick of things. My call is for Phil Mickelson to get it done and win his 4th Masters.

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13

PS. Happy Easter! 

Great day three of The Masters

Before The Masters everyone was talking Tiger Tiger Tiger, but Tiger has struggled to 38th and + 3 at the end of day three. Instead its been his arch rival Phil Michelson who has stolen the show shooting -6 today and -8 overall sitting in 2nd behind only Pete Hanson at -9

Jason Dufner and Fred Couples went into the day tied for the lead, but both struggled and have fallen out of contention.

Perhaps the worst performance of the day came from Rory Mcllroy shooting a horrible + 5 today dropping all the way to 27th.

I'll have my predictions for the final round of The Masters tomorrow. 

-Patrick Pierce
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @PATRICKP13

Saturday Sports Planner

Sports History For April 7th

1963 - At the age of 23, Jack Nicklaus became the youngest golfer to win the Green Jacket at the Masters Tournament.
For more sports history (On-this-day.com)

365 Sports line up

• PGA: The Masters 2:30pm CST on CBS
• MLB: Braves vs Mets 12:10pm CST
• MLB: Yankees vs Rays 6:10pm CST on SUN
• NBA: Celtics vs Pacers 6:00pm CST on CSNN
• NBA: Magic vs 76ers 7:00pm CST on ESPN

365 Predictions

 Lots of story lines coming out of the Masters, Will Fred Couples at 52 be able to maintain his lead? Can Rory McIlroy make a charge for the lead? Will Tiger Woods kick and curse up and down the course again?

In MLB I"m taking the Mets and the Yankees to win today.

On the NBA front I'm going with the Celtics and the 76ers.

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13

  

Bobby Petrino Speaks

Bobby Petrino Speaks!

Bobby Petrino spoke with Joe Schad about the events of last March and April and what life is like now. He gets very emotional and at one point starts to cry, but I still don't feel for the guy. Below is a link to the video and my coverage of the Petrino saga.

Link to Video ---> Bobby Petrino on ESPN.com   

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"Are you going to kiss me?"

Arkansas AD Jeff Long's notes from his investigation in to Bobby Petrino affair has been released. According to Petrino and Jessica Dorrell (his mistress) the affair started in September and only lasted until February when she applied for the Job under Petrino. So if the affair stopped in February then why the motorcycle ride in April? Petrinos answer for that was she "had always wanted to go for a ride" if your buying that then I have some ocean front property in Fayetteville Arkansas I want to sell you.

It started with a kiss last fall "Are you going to kiss me" said Dorrell to Petrino while eating lunch in his car on a lunch outing. That kiss lead to the so called 5 month affair where she said they only got intimate 4 or 6 times (yeah right, maybe a day). Well if the two only got intimate 4-6 times they must have talked about it a lot 326 phone calls and 7,228 text massages.

The Christmas gift, the last interesting note to come out is what Petrino got Dorrell last Christmas. Was it a nice card? No. Was it a sweater with a reindeer on it? No. How about $20,000! Dorrell claims she stuffed it under her mattress until after getting the job. Then she bought a Accra telling everyone else it was a bonus from the football program. Its just more and more proof that Jeff Long made the right call and axed Petrino.

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Petrino's lady number 2 ?

Now that the phone records are starting to come out we find out about lady number for two for Petrino. Now we don't have any real proof that anything happened between Petrino and Miss Motorcycel Mania, but given Petrino track record and there over 200 text messages sent her way one can only start to wonder. You can also start to wonder if this going to be a Tiger Woods type situation where every day there's a new girl coming out. Never the less it's still more proof that Arkansas and Jeff Long made the right decision in firing Bobby Petrino.

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13

BOBBY PETRINO HAS BEEN FIRED BY ARKANSAS
written on 04/10/2012

Photo from: Thebigleadsports.com

Below is my article that I wrote the other day on why Arkansas should let Petrino go. After about a week at looking at the situation Arkansas's AD Jeff Long has pulled the trigger and fired Petrino. This no doubt this had to be a tough move, but in my opinion it was the only move that could be made. Sure the Razorbacks are losing one of the top coaches in the SEC, but with Petrino's leadership It was only a matter of time before he lost this program anyways.

The real losers in all of this is Petrinos wife and kids who world has been turned upside down. The other loser is the Razorback fans who finally felt like they had a program that was on par with the Alabama's and LSU's of the SEC west.

Were does Arkansas go from here? If Garrick Mcgee was still on the staff this would be a no brainier, but he's at UAB, so will the Hogs try to lure him back? It could happen, but I would hope that he would have enough commitment to stay with his new team and not just ditch them. The same goes for Gus Malzahn, but both of these names could be at the top of the list. Looking over his current staff and there's really no one that pops out at you. I mean Paul Petrino is there, but I don't think you want to keep family in there, Paul Haynes might be a great head coach one day, but he's far from ready for this job.

Arkansas has a huge up hill battle, but there is a lot of talent up there for this season. I didn't think it would happen but I applaud Jeff Long for making the right call. This is still a developing situation, and I will try to update as I get more info.

Why Petrino should be fired  

written on 04/06/2012

The other day when news broke that Bobby Petrino was involved in a motorcycle wreak and hospitalized you couldn't help but feel bad for him and pray that he be okay. A few days later and a whole lot more news and the feelings have changed. Bobby Petrino was not alone on his bike, he was with his mistress in which he tried to cover up. His mistress worked for the school and was hired by........... you guessed it Bobby Petrino. His morals, selfishness, along with the cover up is why I think he should be fired.

Morals  - concerned with the principles or rules of right conduct or the distinction between right and wrong. A NCAA head coach should be a man of morals, he is a role model to not just his players, but to kids all across there state. He has to go into these kids house and tell their mommas that he's going to take care of there baby, but how can he do that with no morals? When a player gets in trouble who is Bobby Petrino to punish them? Most important a person with no morals will lose all respect, and if a coach doesn't have the respect of this player then how can he keep on being their coach? 

Selfishness  - devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others. When a person has an affair their not just cheating on there spouse, their cheating on their whole family. As a husband and father I don't see how anyone could cheat on there kids, because its the kids that get drug though the mud. Any man who cheats on there family is a selfish human being. 

Cover Up - Hide from view or knowledge. What is most of the time worst than the crime? The cover up! History shows us that a failed cover up can be far worst than the crime. Look at former presidents Nixon and Clinton there actions where bad but there attempted cover up is what got Nixon kicked out of office and Clinton impeached. Ask Bruce Pearl or Jim Tressel both got fired in the last year, not for there penalties but because they tried to cover it up. The Penn State administration all got the axe not because they where molesting children like Jerry Sandusky, but because they tried to cover it up. If Petrino gets fired it will be from all the lies and cover ups with this girl from day one.

If I was an AD I couldn't have a coach working under me who has no morals is selfish, and a liar. I know Petrino's has the Razorbacks in the upper tier of the SEC west, but sometimes there's more than just W's and L's.

If I was Petrino I think I would resign, and focus on saving my family.

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13

Its opening day, but do you really care?

MLB.COM

The long and what seems like never ending baseball season is once again among us. Its opening day to our national past time (unless you count yesterday's Cards victory over the Marlins) but do you really care?

Sure your friends on Facebook will give shout outs to their favorite teams today and Twitter will blow up with all the coverage. As the weeks go by your true die hard fans will keep up with there teams, but for most people today is the only time they will talk about baseball until where about a week out from the playoffs.

So what happened to baseball to make it take a backseat to football, and maybe even basketball? I can't speak for everybody but in today's world it's all about fast paced, high drama, and time matters. When people talk about the old days they always say it was a simpler time, everything moved slower. Baseball is anything but fast paced and no one has time to watch 162 games, the one thing it has going for it is the 7-9th inning can be very dramatic. So it only makes sense that baseball would fit in better in a slower paced simple world, and football is today's national sport.

Don't get me wrong I love baseball, there's not many things better than going out to a ball park and getting a stadium dog, but it has turned into what I call a "newspaper sport" (Don't watch 150 of the 161 games and just keep up with your team in the next days paper).

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13

When did Baylor become a top 5 athletic program?

Image from Baylor.edu

When you think of all the great athletic programs around the nation does the Baylor Bears come to mind? You might say yes right now, but would you have said that five years ago? What this small Texas school has done in the last few years is simply amazing. Baylor was the Vanderbilt of the Big 12, but now  their athletics program as a whole rivals Texas and Oklahoma. Now when I say athletic programs as a whole I'm not just talking football I'm talking every sport that they compete in.

Football ---> They just came off there greatest season in momentum times all while producing a Heisman winner in RGIII. This program might take a little set back with RGIII going pro, but with weaker Big 12 and the recruiting up swing that winning a Heisman will do for there team will but enough insurance to say the Bears are going to be a player in the Big 12 for years to come.

Woman's Basketball ---> In case you didn't noticed the NCAA woman's finals were last night and the Lady Bears were the ones cutting down the net finishing off a perfect undefeated season. Having a perfect season in any sport is hard enough but to do it in the Basketball over the course of so many games is a feat that is rarely reached.

Men's Basketball ---> Scott Drew has turned the Baylor Bears into one of the most dangerous teams in the nation. They made a strong run to the elite 8 this year, and I only think this program under Drew will continue to get better.

I'm not going to go sport by sport with Baylor, but Football and Basketball is the money makers for college athletics. I would put programs like Florida and Ohio St above Baylor, but looking at where the Bears have been and where they're heading, lets just say, if your one of the few Bears fans then you're on cloud 9 right now.  

Now whats next for John Calipari?

Getty images (SI.com)

John Calipari accomplished a lot this year, he became only the second coach to ever take three different teams to the Final Four, He's fully out of Rick Pitino's shadow, and he has finally lifted up the national title trophy. The question is after three final fours, and now a national championship what is next for coach Cal?

He's already tried the NBA and it didn't work out for him, and I don't see a Pete Carroll type deal where he doesn't make it in the pro's comes back to college dominates, and then back for a second try with the NBA.

Will he go the way of Bill Donovan? On top of  the world in college basketball, but then goes off the radar for a few years before ever getting back. I don't think that will happen either Calipari is too good at bringing in the one and done kids to never have a solid team.

Will he become the Nick Saban of college Basketball and go on to make a few more final fours and win a couple championships along the way? Right now unless he cheated again that he will become the Nick Saban of college basketball.

I've never cared for Kentucky or John Calipari, but it just felt right last night watching Kentucky left up the title and cut down the nets, and I think that will be something you will be seeing a lot  more of in years to come.

Why Kansas will upset Kentucky

Kentucky is being billed as an unbeatable team in the NCAA tournament, some people even believe they could beat an NBA team such as the Wizards or Bobcats. There star player Anthoney Davis is being mentioned with the best to have ever played NCAA basketball. With all of that said I'm taking Kansas tonight.

365's Breakdown

COACHING ADVANTAGE ---> Equal

When it comes to college sports I always look to coaching first. In this game you have two great coaches in Kentucky's John Calipari and Kansas Bill Self. Both need this win, but it's pretty much agreed on that Calipari needs it more. Calipari has been as close as one can get to winning a title but was some free throws short when he was at Memphis, but until he gets that monkey off his back he will always be considered the best coach with out a championship. Bill Self was the coach on the other side of the scorers table the last time Calipari was in this game, when his Jayhawks went on to cut down the nets. Why does Bill Self "need" this win? Because winning his second title would put him in the elite ranks of college coaches. There's really no edge when it comes to the coaches in this one.

MOTIVATION ADVANTAGE ---> Kansas
Sure the Kentucky players want to get that monkey off there coaches back, but the motivation advantage in this one belongs to Kansas. The Jayhawks are a veteran lead team, they have face multiple double digit deficits in this tournament, but have always dug deep and found away to come back and win. They also have the underdog  motivation, its them vs the world.

SKILL AND TALENT ADVANTAGE ---> Kentucky 
There is not a better team than Kentucky, but they are beatable. Anthoney Davis is the AP player of the year for a reason, and will be a challenge all night for the Jayhawks. So there's no doughing whos the better team, but Kansas got here for a reason. The Jayhawks are a veteran team lead by Thomas Robinson who averages 17.7 PPG (More than Davis 14.4ppg) he is one of the best players in college basketball, and the junior will be out to prove that tonight. I also like Kansas defence tonight over Kentuckys, but there is still no drought the Wildcats are more talented.  

365's Projection

I think Kansas will start strong tonight which is somthing they haven't done all tournament. Kentucky will take the first blow but battle back and take control of the game. The Jayhawks will keep it close and with about five minutes to go they will make a run and take the lead, the young Kentucky players will feel the heat and the veteran Jayhawks will prevail.

 Kansas 70 Kentucky 68

365 Sunday in Sports

Today in Sports History

1930 - Leo Hartnett of the Chicago Cubs broke the altitude record for a catch by catching a baseball dropped from the Goodyear blimp 800 feet over Los Angeles, CA.
More History at (On-This-Day)

365 Sunday in Sports

• Nascar Sprint Cup from Martinsville 12pm CST on (Fox)
• Honda Grand Prix of Alabama from Barbers Motorsports Park Leeds, Al. 1pm CST (VS)
• NBA: Bulls vs Thunder 12pm CST (ABC)
• NBA: Heat vs Celtics 2:30pm CST (ABC)

365's Take for this Sunday

In today's Nascar race from Martinsville I'm going with Tony Stewart "Smoke" He has clearly showed to be one of the best short track racers.

In the NBA I'm taking the Thunder over the Bulls 101-98 and it's time that the Celtics handle the Heat in the garden Celtics 98 Heat 95

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13