Other topics:

• Atlanta FanFest – what we learned
• Drew Barker and the cult of the insider
• Which out of conference games frighten us in the fall
• Open mic – we take questions from our followers
• Baseball been very, very good to me
• Are there too many podcasts of course there are too many podcasts

Click the graphic to listen, and ENJOY!

(via CFB Reddit)

If you are a Gamecock fan this photo is just funny. Unless you have a stick up your butt.

I was surprised to see the reaction of some Gamecock fans to this photo, calling it rude and disrespectful. As a father of two kids, without the photo’s proper context I can see that. Mocking an adult the way these kids are is a little disrespectful, no doubt. 

Until you consider who the “adult” is. He’s the guy who did this:

We’ve been on the wrong side of this rivalry in football for way too long. And for too long we’ve had to deal with unimaginative name calling and scoreboard pointing. Now the shoe is on the other foot, and I’m not opposed to stepping on few orange tinged fingers along the way.

Now, I’m not condoning vandalism by any stretch of the imagination. But I’ve never been opposed to a little low brow humor or clever trash talk.

Or kids, unbeknownst to Dabo, throwing up the four-peat sign during a photo-op. That’s just genius.

High four kids, nice work.

Hi folks, I’m Fred Thompson.

Boy, times are sure tough nowadays.

And I understand how unpredictable and unpleasant conference realignment can become.

If you are like many American football conferences, you may be looking for a simple solution to help ease your financial worries.

Well, I may have a solution that is right for you:  A Grant of Media Rights.

A Grant of Media Rights is a government insured* program that allows you to make use of your hard-earned equity in your own conference.

It could help you get much-needed cash, right now, to:

-  upgrade your facilities

-  renegotiate inequitable television contracts

-  keep other expansion-minded conferences at bay

Or simply improve your conference’s brand and give you the football lifestyle you so richly deserve.

I’m extremely proud to be associated with the ACC, a regionally recognized sports leader in many non-revenue sports (plus basketball).

That’s why I want to send you this free DVD, about how to sign away your unneeded future self-determination in exchange for a sense of security in the here and now.

Its safe*.

Easy to understand.*

Effective* tool.

That can give you peace of mind in an uncertain world.

Why don’t you give ACC a call today?

Just pick up the phone, and call me at 1-800-ACC-BROKE.

______________________

* claims are not representative of actual facts, rights, or other legal representations, but represent only the anecdotal opinion of the spokesperson depicted.

• Spring games are way overrated
• Spring tailgates are way underrated
• Who impressed at the Garnet and Black game
• @bclickclack
• This Week in Dabo
• The baseball sadness

We also have a kicking new opening thanks to [name redacted because we're not sure if she wants us to reveal it].

Anyway, we’re grumpy, but still lovable. Enjoy.

Click the graphic to listen.

Or something – other submissions welcomed.

The way we lost these games to Florida only exacerbated the frustration:

• Thursday – Trailing by a run in the top of the 9th, we get a clutch 2-out hit from Chase Vergason with T.J. Costen at second. Costen trips and falls rounding third and is thrown out to end the game.
• Friday –  The Gamecocks take a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the eighth only to see the Gators score 3 and secure a 4-3 victory.
• Saturday – Chad Holbrook’s squad claws back from a 4-1 deficit to tie the game at 4-4. The Gators then put up a 10-spot in a horrific bottom of the sixth, and cruise to a 14-5 victory to complete the sweep.

They were all hard games to watch. When you lose games like that the fan frustration boils over, and people start tweeting and Facebooking and blogging. Some complaints are reasonable to point out (like the above) and many go over the top. People can get stupid in times like these, but I understand. If you don’t like it you can ignore it or not respond to it.

Or, you can be Andy Demetra:

Amazing how quickly "Win Anyway" has turned into "Whine Anyway" for some of you on our timeline. Looks ugly on you. May need a long walk.—
Andy Demetra (@GamecockRadio) April 13, 2013

It’s no secret this guy gets under our skin, and this is a prime example of why.

First, the “clever” play on words, a Demetra trademark – “Win Anyway”, “Whine Anyway”. I felt like I was experiencing his wordplay again for the first time. Yuck.

Second, the finger-wagging. As a representative of USC and the athletic department there are ways to respond to fair criticism and unfair criticism alike that don’t make you sound like a condescending a-hole. People say stupid things, and people respond in kind with stupid things. The play-by-play guy for a major university sports program doesn’t have to lower himself into that conversation, and if he does there’s a proper way to do it. The proper way is not to insult your fan base.

Finally, as a guy who covers this team day in and day out, it’s ok to point out some shortcomings. Not only is it ok, we should demand it. Otherwise he just becomes the Baghdad Bob of Gamecock sports.

“All is well!”

I got news for you, it ain’t. And it’s ok for us to talk about it. Really.

(Press graphic to play.)

USC held its annual pro day today at Willia…

Whoa,  whoa, hold up a minute. When did “pro day” become a thing? I mean, I know it’s been a thing for a long time, but when did it become a THING? You know, press types fighting for press credentials, non-press types fighting for press credentials, me checking Twitter every ten minutes for updates, etc. These types of days can’t keep happening, I have to be productive at work at least more days than not. But I digress…

As of this writing I haven’t seen many updates on who helped themselves, hurt themselves, etc. I’m sure that will come out in time even though I WANT IT NOW INTERNET. The best player nugget I saw was Byron Jerideau throwing up 37 reps of 225 on the bench, which is grownassman strength, and should help him.

Two things did happen today that made me smile. The first, golden quotes from a guy who perspires golden quotes. The second, inspiration from a guy who seems to have no other option but to inspire.

First, Steve Spurrier gave these nuggets to The State beat writer and close personal friend of the blog Josh Kendall:

Steve Spurrier: “I noticed both USCs had their pro timing day today. One of them finished No. 7 in the country, the other was not (1/4)—
Josh Kendall (@JoshatTheState) March 27, 2013

in the Top 25, yet ESPN decided to go out to the one in California which did not finish in the Top 25 and televise their day live. (2/4)—
Josh Kendall (@JoshatTheState) March 27, 2013

It’s interesting that (ESPN) doesn’t come around here on signing day, they don’t come around here on pro timing day, and yet (3/4)—
Josh Kendall (@JoshatTheState) March 27, 2013

they want us to play all these Thursday night games. Maybe we need to consider playing on that new network, FoxSports 1" (4/4)—
Josh Kendall (@JoshatTheState) March 27, 2013

Awesome, and requires no further commentary from me. That would just screw up the beauty of it all.

The other thing – the inspiration – well, you know who that’s about.

I wrote this the day after Marcus Lattimore went down with the worst injury I have ever seen in my 30+ years of playing and watching sports. I encourage you to click on it and read it. Not because it’s filled with great writing or inspiring words, but because it helps lend perspective to where #21 is today.

Today, Marcus worked out for scouts, and the scouts applauded him when he was done. I dare say that’s never happened at any other pro day workout, for any other player.

Then I arrived home this afternoon and watched this great tribute from Justin King. Enjoy.