I'm trying to imagine if the shoe was on the other foot. What if Vandy had the No. 1 recruiting class four years in a row, but almost all of those recruits left for the NBA after the first year. And everyone knew they probably would when they committed. Would I be a little conflicted about it? I think I would. It would be great to be dominant year in and year out, but there would be a part of me that thought, "This is college. A traditional four year degree institution centered around academics. What the hell are we doing?" I know this can come off like jealousy since UK is a rival, but I can't imagine the current system extending for too much longer. An outsider would look at this consistent one year turnover within collegiate athletics and surely be appalled. I don't blame UK or the players. It is the NBA's rule. But something has to change. This is getting absurd.

First, don't hate me.  I know the title sounds "trollish" but I think I have a valid thought.

I've been reading a lot of Rusty love on the camp threads over the last few days.  And I know how much our fan base wrestles daily with our love/fear relationship with VY.  Personally, I believe this will be VY's breakout year - an extension of the progress he made over the majority of last year.  However, like a wave gathering height just over the horizon, I can see the Rusty mob starting to bide their time - just waiting for two bad VY games in a row, or maybe just two interceptions in one game.  And then, POUNCE!  

Kerry Collins is now an afterthought, even though he will be the No. 2.  Chris Simms is...Chris Simms.  But this Rusty Smith fella, he is damn near intriguing, is he not?

My sincere hope:  VY turns the corner and begins the Hall of Fame portion of his career and Rusty becomes his Billy Volek.  

But if this year goes the other way...

Just putting the feeler out for any other Vandy fans in the great city of Los Angeles.  It would be nice to get together at a local sports bar for the occasional big basketball or football game or women's bowling championship.  

About me:  Nashville native (Hume-Fogg H.S.) who went to Lipscomb U. but grew up rooting for Vandy because my grandfather and dad both did, so I had no choice.  Actor/writer/(waiter).  Had newspaper cutouts of the "Mac Attack" ('92) on my bedroom wall as a kid, nearly cried when Cutler beat UT in Knoxville, Barry Goheen is still my favorite Commodore of all time, and I hate the school to the East.

Note:  This is a story I wrote recently for my blog:  www.thedayjobber.com.  Sorry about the length.  But, hey, we should all have a little extra time on our hands after this Sunday.  Hope you enjoy it.

                               Dear Erika, This is Why I Love Football

In the wake of the travesty that was the Tennessee Titan's 0-6 start to the 2009 season, my girlfriend asked me for the fifth time, "Why do you like football?  I don't get it.  Your team causes you nothing but pain.  Here, give me the shotgun and the bottle of whiskey."  The first thought that popped into my head was, "Aaaaagh!"  But I love this woman, so I made an effort to put it into words.  Again.  I talked about the history of the game, the community of fans, my need for additional reasons to drink beer, etc.  She was unimpressed.  We agreed to disagree (in other words, I let her be wrong).  But it occurred to me the other day that it goes a little deeper.  So, dear, hear me out.

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The news just broke.  Looks like Jerry Jones is getting his way.  Since he can't win a playoff game with parity, he's pushing the NFL back to the 80's when the rich got richer and the poor got poorer.  I'm worried about how this will effect small market teams like the Titans.  I remember when I was a kid and the big market teams were dynasties and the small market teams were perennial bottom feeders.  I also see how the MLB operates.  Every team is a farm team for the Yankees and BoSox.  I do not want to see the NFL revert back to operating like the MLB.  I do not want to watch the Titans become Vandy.  Does anyone have any insight into this situation?

I'm no numerologist, but I am superstitious.  I noticed something interesting about the number 9 (and 10) lately...

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Hi, new member here.  I love the site and appreciate the respectful, insightful dialogue.

Everyone's saying we shouldn't be worried about CJ, LenDale and the run game, but I compared the first two '09 performances with last year's first two preseason games and it ain't pretty.  Check it out:

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