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As of Thursday, Feb. 12, this little blog has relocated to a new home on AJC.com. It’s the same newspaper, the same Web site and the same writer (feel free to groan) — there’s just a new URL.
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Home > Mark Bradley > Archives > 2008 > December > 22 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBradley’s Buzz: All hail the men of Smitty!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A great story and a pretty fair coach
Who saw this coming? Nobody. That’s why the Falcons’ rise to the playoffs is, as Don Banks of SI.com proclaims, “simply astounding.” And that’s why, according to Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com, Mike Smith is the NFL’s coach of the year.
And here, from Sporting News Today, is a word you don’t often see applied to the Falcons — dynasty. Clifton Brown — or at least Clifton Brown’s headline writer — invokes it. (Many thanks to Baracked The Vote! for the tip.)
Also on SI.com, former colleague Steve Aschburner provides five things that were learned from Sunday’s game. Four of them have to do with the Vikings — Steve lives in the Twin Cities, you should know — but Lesson No. 2 involves a “feel-good story,” and that one has nothing to do with the Vikes.
I’ve hesitated to link to anything Bill Simmons writes for ESPN.com because I don’t much like sports writing weighed down by a ton of pop-culture references. But I offer this Simmons-ism because he ranks the Falcons the NFL’s sixth-best team, and he did this even before they’d won in Minnesota. So read the paragraph that concerns the Birds and skip the next eight paragraphs, which are devoted to Christmas gifts for guys.
And here, from Corey Dade of the Wall Street Journal, is a Q & A with Arthur M. Blank. You’ll be shocked to learn that AMB much prefers this season to last.
Breaking down the Hawks
Here’s a instructive take from Charley Rosen of Foxsports.com. Rosen, who used to coach basketball and has long been one of the keenest analysts around, breaks down the Hawks’ narrow loss to the Celtics and has loads of insights on the local club. To wit: Josh Smith always backpedals on defense because he’s looking to block a shot, and Mike Bibby almost never goes to the basket.
Rosen pays compliments, too. (Lots of them, actually.) And his final assessment is that the Hawks are a dangerous team but probably are two years from being a bona fide title contender. Which sounds about right.
The one observation that doesn’t ring true is Rosen’s assessment of Marvin Williams being by far the most athletic Hawk. Do you think maybe he meant Josh Smith?
Who wants to mess with Tex?
As Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports writes, the Angels just followed Boston’s lead and withdrew from the Mark Teixeira auction. And here we pause to note that the Angels and the Red Sox are two of the richest teams in the sport. Which tells us something about Scott Boras and his asking price, and which makes those hopes of last winter — that Tex would take a hometown discount to re-up with the Braves — seem positively quaint.
Required reading for all college football fans
Know how some writers — this one, for example — keep saying there will never be a true college football playoff because the bowls are too rich and too powerful? Here’s a terrific story from Dan Wetzel of Yahoo! Sports on just how rich and how powerful they truly are.
The Real Deal or a real steal?
According to Chris Mannix of SI.com, Evander Holyfield was jobbed out of a decision against the hulking Nikolai Valuev in Zurich on Saturday. I wish I could work up a case of righteous indignation over this, but I just can’t. I figure any 46-year-old former champion who has to go to Zurich to fight a 7-foot Russian is leaving himself open for just about anything.
Here I go again, writing about Kentucky basketball
There are those out there who just wait for the moment when I mention “Kentucky” and “basketball” so they can throw up their hands and shout, “See? He’s doing it again!”
For the record, I was born in Kentucky and graduated from UK and worked at the Lexington Herald-Leader covering, among other things, Kentucky basketball. Also for the record, I haven’t written a word about Big Blue hoops in more than a calendar year, for the simple reason that Billy Gillispie has turned Kentucky into a program barely worthy of comment.
That said, I’d be derelict in my Buzz duties if I didn’t point out that Jodie Meeks, a junior guard from Norcross, scored 46 points for Kentucky against Appalachian State on Saturday. It was the highest total by any Wildcat since 1970, and here, from the aforementioned Herald-Leader, is Mark Maloney’s game story. And here’s a column by John Clay.
And how, you’re asking, is the guy who was pushed aside to make room for the overmatched Gillispie doing? Tubby Smith’s Minnesota Golden Gophers are 10-0, having just beaten Louisville, which is coached by Rick Pitino, who was Smith’s predecessor at UK. Here’s Myron P. Medcalf of the Minnesota Star-Tribune on Tubby’s latest triumph. And here’s the famous Andy Katz of ESPN.com proclaiming Minnesota his team of the week.
(Found a Buzz-worthy link? E-mail me at mbra14@gmail.com. Much appreciation and an online shout-out could be yours.)
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Comments
By baracked the vote!
December 22, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this
Mark, here are a couple more one from Clifton Brown talking about the Falcons’ going to the playoffs http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=499399
and 5 reasons to marvel at the falcons from the pioneer press in MN
http://www.twincities.com/ci_11279349?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com
By Mark Bradley
December 22, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this
I’d add these above, but with Baracked The Vote doing all the work there’s really no need.
Big shout-out to Baracked. And thanks.
By Edd
December 22, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this
Where are all the nay sayers now Mark ? Are you jumping on the bandwagon too?
By Ryno
December 22, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this
Mark - I’m glad to know that people “inside the industry” feel the same way about Simmons’ writing. It’s nice he breaks down the NFL and does alot the the NBA, but every other article is only related to a New England Sports team and they almost certainly contain multiple references to the “The Karate Kid” or “Teen Wolf”
Have a happy holiday Mark. GO FALCONS!
By Bill Heler
December 22, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
The Falcons in the playoffs?! I haven’t been this happy since I got my dog potty-trained.
By Demoney2291
December 22, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
while the falcons succcess this year is a nice story but lets not forget there is a team down in miami with a first year coach that only won one game last year, and with a victory this weekend could be division champs .
By Demoney2291
December 22, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
before you crown Mike Smith as COY , he reminds me alot of Mora Jr with all the hugs and high fives with his players but i guess winning cures all huh
By secondguesser
December 22, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
Hey Mark, how bout writing another smart azz article villifying Urban and any thing related to the gators. It’s worked for us pretty good so far. Don’t forget to lead in with UGAY being worthy of that preseason No. 1 ranking and the ensuing heisman campaign’s of Stafford and Moreno!
By Mr Atl
December 22, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
Mark you need to take writing lessons from the sports guy. Bill SImmons is the man
By PlusSizeModel
December 22, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this
Thanks for steering my clear of actual entertaining reading in the Simmons column! That was a close one!
By JB
December 22, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this
Demoney: The big difference in Smith and Mora> He will crawl some butt. Players and Coach’s. Plus, this team respects this staff. It’s a NFL staff, top to bottom. Mike Smith is all business, Also, this gm knows talent. 22 guys off last years team gone ! This is a NFL team. The chemistry is strong. They BELIEVE they are going to win Every game. We need another pass rusher, a lock down corner, another big offensive lineman and a all pro tight end. Go Birds
By Matt
December 22, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
Mark:
As a U of Minn graduate, I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you to all those UK alumni/movers and shakers who didn’t want Tubby Smith. What an incredible job he has done in less than two seasons. Minnesota BB was an absolute shambles after the Dan Monson era.
By the way, I root for the Falcons now (having lived in the ATL for 21 years now)and was glad to see that the Vikings Curse continues. (Can’t win the big game)
By Casual Fan
December 22, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
Maybe I’ve missed it, but has the AJC not picked up on the fact that the Falcons can win the division? NFL.com says the Panthers have not clinched the division. AP says the Panthers can clinch if they win, obviously implying they haven’t done so. My apologies if I’ve missed it, but this is a pretty big oversight.
By Peter
December 22, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
Ok Falcon Fans….. Now is the time to root for the Saints next weekend…….
If we beat the Rams, and the Saints beat the Panthers…….the Falcon’s are the Division winner….and #2 seed in the NFC……WOW !
We then get a first round bye in the playoff’s and host our first Playoff game in awhile…….if in the playoffs the Giants loose……the NFC could then come through Atlanta !
Get EXCITED !
By The BlogFather of Scroll
December 22, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this
Fumble, Fumble, Foiled by Fumbles, Timeouts burned, and Vikings humbled.
Are there deep mystical forces working for the Falcons? Surely it would take a spell to make the football take flight from the scrimmage line and scramble backwards purposefully toward the Falcon’s end zone twice in a few minutes.
Or do the Falcons have an angel? A mischievous angel with a sense of humor that harkens back to the keystone cop silent movie era. An angel who turned the vikings into bumbling fumblers. The image of the vikings chasing the pigskin dozens of yards behind thier line of scrimmage is one of the lighter moments of the past 300 years.
This is no ordinary season. The Falcons have won improbably again.
Inconceivable.
There can be only one reason that supernatural beings would favor our Falcons: The ghosts of Vicks Dogs will be avenged even if it takes an unholy aliance of witches, angels, and willful pigskins. OMG I just invented the cheerleader eligible play.
By TURTSNAP
December 22, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this
UNBELIEVABLE!!! This weekend was like some sort of fantasy….
Need the Cowboys to lose - CHECK Need the Bucs to lose - CHECK Need the Falcons to win - CHECK!!!!
Bonus: Need Panthers to lose - CHECK!!!!!!
By DawginLex
December 22, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this
Mark,
Living up here, Billy Clyde is starting to make some progress and win over some doubters. He inherited a mess from Tubby so defending Tub’s last 2 years here makes anyone look bad, so don’t try.
That being said, have you noticed that Tubby is doing all the things at UM that UK fans begged for ? Uptempo, pressing and trapping and constant ball pressure. Did he blatantly not do that at UK to prove he could win “his way” ? It’s interesting ain’t it??
The big difference between Tubster and Billy Clyde to me is the character issue. Tubby runs things squeaky clean, does stuff in the community and is older and well respected. BCG is still young in the coaching ranks and has a couple of past “problems” that have been well documented.
We will see but I bet UK goes to the NCAA’s this year. Maybe they will play Minnesota……….
By Eddie
December 22, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
What I want to know is the name of the sprotswriter who predicted the Falcons would go 1-15 this year.
Granted none of us saw this coming, but I don’t think any of us thought the Falcons would only win one game.
By James
December 22, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
Congratulations, Falcons!
By Bravesfan&loving it
December 22, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
I turn to the Braves page and find this. Any news except for the Braves. I think I will hang up the paper and just guess at who takes the field this year. No news is good news I guess, NOT………….
By Mookie Blaylock
December 22, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Bill Simmons may shove Boston sports and NBA basketball up our arses every other article but he is very funny. Unlike Terrence Moore I actually enjoy his articles and sense of humor. I also think Jeff Schultz beats off to Bill Simons’ articles…
By rlinaug
December 22, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this
I’m with you Bill Simmons. He’s a regional writer who thinks the rest of the world cares that his emotions rise and fall with the Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics. And he thinks he’s so funny. He is, in a word, smarmy. I don’t even read his headlines anymore.
By Hello world
December 22, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
Maybe Tex isnt worth 200 Million for 6 years. Maybe the big market money is saying no to the insanity. If they are then its quite about time. No single player should be given 33 million to play for one year. Its a insult to all the other players who are on that team. Yea he might be a impact player but guess what? He does nothing without the other players involved, so how much of a impact player is he really. This is just a joke and I applaud the Sox and Angels for pulling out. The Nationals and other teams need to follow suite. Its time to just say no and then mean it.
By Mookie Blaylock
December 22, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
Bill Simmons may shove Boston sports and NBA basketball up our arses every other article but he is very funny. Unlike Terrence Moore I actually enjoy his articles and sense of humor. I also think Jeff Schultz beats off to Bill Simons’ articles…
By Royceb
December 22, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
I wouldnt trade Texeria straight up for Chipper! He slacks the first half of the season then turns it on second half. Grossly over priced and a money grubber.
By Mookie Blaylock
December 22, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
Two Ms in Simmons…
By SHOTYME
December 22, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this
Keith Brooking needs to retire. Linebacker coach !!!
By James
December 22, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
And, one other thing, about Teixeira:
Leo Durocher said this about Ron Santo and it holds true for Tex, too:
When you’re up by 10 runs, he’ll hit all the home runs you could ever hope for, just don’t ask him to hit one in the eight or ninth when it would mean something.
Teixeira is a very good player, one of the rare first basemen who can actually play defense (he’s no Keith Hernandez, but who is?)…but at best is a 15 million-a-year player…and I say this taking into account the current market.
It would be nice to see him forced to take an offer less than what we believed the Braves’ offer to be. And no, I’m not implying that I want him to somehow miraculously end up back with the Braves. Good riddance.
Unfortunately, with baseball in the sorry state that it is in today, I’m sure someone will give Tex the contract he is looking for. Do I think if he gets it he’ll be satisfied? No. But this is just another example of why baseball better fix its problems—quickly—or it very soon will fall of the pedestal it sits on with the NFL as being one of the “Big Two” sports in the United States.
By Lucky 7
December 22, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
The Sorry Falcons may have made the playoffs this year THROUGH LUCK and a soft scheulde but they will never win the whole enchilada without # 7 THE MAN !!!
By Johnny H
December 22, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this
Mark,
Suggestion about columns when doing multiple links: Make it so the link pops up in a new window. It makes it more pleasurable for us surfers to keep that link up for later. Thank you.
By Brian F.
December 22, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this
I have been saying all along that we are witnessing the making of the next New England Patriots of the NFC. Granted, we haven’t won our 3 Super Bowls YET, but “The Process” has just begun. This regime is still in it’s infancy stages. We are witnessing the making of the next DYNASTY in the NFL. This is way tooooo much fun !! GO BIRDS !!
By Ross
December 22, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
Before everyone goes all gooey, let me point out that White was out of position multiple times yesterday and looked dazed and confused - resulting in several Ryan passes into wide green uninhabited expanses of turf.
The defense and special teams have really turned it up a few notches - but we need to get back into some sort of offensive rhythm. I am very concerned about Roddy White’s mental preparation and toughness, and that all the good press he’s been getting doesn’t go to his head. He stunk it up yesterday in a game in which his bad play was masked by Vikings’ turnovers.
-drl
By Darrin "The Vent King"
December 22, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
This is a great day for ALL Falcon fans. Usually I would go into my usual “the fans here deserve this, Coach Smith and Ryan and Turner and Roddy are great” routine and avoid the race thing, but I want to say something in reference to the terribly irresponsible and sensationalistic racial overtoned piece on ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” that included both Terence Moore and Furman Bischer that basically said the blacks in Atlanta have absolved YKW of all wrong doing in “Dog-gate” and only whites cheer for Ryan and the Falcons now. That’s stupid as hell. I was in a sports bar/club yesterday (Ambivience/Memorial Dr- Stone Mountain) and it was full of African-Americans that were cheering for Matt Ryan, Coach Smith (I even saw some with Matt Ryan jerseys on) like it was New Year’s Eve in there. I saw Viking fans in there trying to talk trash about Matty “Ice” and those same Falcon fans rebutting everything they said and were constantly talking about and applauding the amazing job Blank, Coach Smith, and Dimitroff had done in getting this team back in one piece. If you saw that piece on “Outside the Lines” this scenario totally contradicts the picture those two lugnuts attempted to paint about the so-called racial divide concerning the fans here in the african-american community in Atlanta over “Dog-gate” and that certain fans will never get over it. I want to be the first to say that is not true and I’m glad for it. Sure there will always be those select few (and I knew one at my old job) that love to spew hate and hang on to the past because of there own personal agendas/hangups, but I’m talking overall that OTL was disgustingly untrue. I was disturbed when I saw that piece because I myself, an African-American, know that I and most of my Falcon fan buddies never took that route and stayed down with the Birds even though the outlook for this season was grim and after all that went down with YKW. All of us hoped the best for the Falcons and in saying that I wonder just who Terence Moore and Furman Bischer were talking to or about. That OTL show was ridiculous. So to wrap this up, congrats to ALL Falcon fans black, white, Asian, Latino, Vietnamese and any other I forgot to mention and have a Merry Christmas- you all deserve this playoff run for we ALL suffered last year. Thanks Birds.
GO FALCONS!!!
By bama12
December 22, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this
Way to go Birds! My X-mas present came early this year. I am so proud to be a fan of this team. This year is the start of something special. That could be great many years to come!
Lucky 7- Get over him. Real Falcon Fans dont give a rats a$$ about Mike Vick or your comments. Go find a Mike Vick lovers blog and stay off of here!
By Dirt Dobber
December 22, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
congrats to the Falcons for an unbelieveable year.I would like to take a second and give props to Foxworth on the defence.since being picked up from Denver he has locked down the left corner position.Great job falcons on bringing him in.Happy hollidays to the Falcons and fans.And a happy new year with an NFL championshit brought to Atlanta in 2009.Go Falcons.
By DR
December 22, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
Let the current economy money crunch extrend to athletes salaries. They may be playing to empty stands this year. There is a problem, I guess you know.
By Deirdre
December 22, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
am I the only person on the planet who say a Viking try to rip Matt Ryan’s HEAD OFF !?!?!?!!!! why wasn’t it called? and why isn’t anyone talking about it today?
By Dr. Warren
December 22, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this
Mark Bradley:
Here’s another good article on the Falcons by Tom Curran: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/28343425/
Also, at the beginning of the season, after one of your columns, I wrote that it was quite possible—and wouldn’t be all that surprising—for the Falcons to win 10 or 11 games and make the playoffs. I will dig it up for you.
By Pruitt Can Do It
December 22, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
You of all people should agree that the solution to any and all of the Hawks’ problems is to sign hotshot Rex Chapman.
By smitty
December 22, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
I will always be a falcons fan…this year has been great, but what i am hopeful for is a winning record next yr!
By Mark Bradley
December 22, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
If I knew how to make the link open in a new window automatically, I’d do it. I only know how to do it on my own computers, and that’s to hold down the Apple key on a Mac or the “ctrl” key on PC when you click the link. Try that and see if it works for you.
By Ross
December 22, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
Darrin, I agree - people all agree on winning. I wish people would leave the race card on the bottom of the deck.
-drl
By NEXT#13
December 22, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
lucky7=mr.grinch!!! YOU are a bonified FOOL!!!mv7 couldn’t carry MATTY ICE’S JOCK IN HIS TEETH(LIKE THE DOD HE IS)muchless be a LEADER OF MEN!!! CRAWL BACK INTO YOUR PATHETIC,COLD, DAMP HATEFILLED HOLE AND CONTINUE TO LIE TO YOURSELF AND MAKE BELIEVE IN YOUR SICK small little world of what woulda/shoulda/coulda have been! NOTHING please’s ME more than to see YOUR KIND consummed,slooowly,buy the success of MY FOOTBALL TEAM without mv7!!! WORD UP!!! REALITY BITES B OTT CHA!!!!!!
By Dr. Warren
December 22, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
From Bradley’s column on 9/22/08:
**By Dr. Warren:
September 22, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this Falcons will challenge for the wild card. Mark my words.**
By jake
December 22, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
Who is Michael Vick?
By Dr. Warren
December 22, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
From Bradley’s column on 9/22/08:
**By Dr. Warren:
September 22, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this Falcons will challenge for the wild card. Mark my words.**
By Navigator
December 22, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
Mark, I’m from Lexington to, and amazingly we don’t even mention your name once a year. Gillespie is more than capable of bringing Big Blue back, but when he got there the cupboard was almost empty. The program had gone through several seasons of poor recruiting and poor coaching. I don’t know if my brethren can wait for him to rebuild the program, but I know he is capable of doing just that. TSmith may be an excellent coach, but his last three years here, he simply didn’t show it. I wish him well at Minnesota (and the lower level of basketball talent and expectations).
By Mark Bradley
December 22, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
Dr. Warren is both a Buzz contributor — thanks for the link! — and a seer.
By Truthman
December 22, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this
Terence Moore is a great writer! The only people who don’t like his writing are the one’s who see themselves in some of his “state of race in America” columns. Don’t kill the messenger because you don’t like the truth - try some introspection and evolve!!
By Scott
December 22, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this
A co-worker sent me this today:
The 12 days of Christmas for Falcon’s Fans
On the 12 days of Christmas the Vikings game to the me (the Falcon’s)
12 plays for the first drive touchdown 11 Atlanta Series 10th season win 9 Rushing first downs 8 C. Wire Tackles 7 Vikings fumbles 6 points from kicking 5 average yards passing 4 football turnovers 3 quarterback sacks 2 offensive touch downs and a shotgun snap over Jackson’s head!
By Mark Bradley
December 22, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
I well understand that many folks find Bill Simmons vastly entertaining. All I can say is that tastes do differ.
By Ryno
December 22, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
To: Darrin “The Vent King”
Thank you sir. I think it’s silly to lump all “peoples” of a certain race into one rooting interest. In my season ticket section of 318 in the dome - we have some of the most knowledgeable balck fans in Atlanta constantly cheering for Matty Ice to hit the open guy down field.
darin - happy holidays to you an yours.
By Suffering Cats
December 22, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
Mark -
You are correct about the Simmons thing. I read it the other day. Once you cut through the clutter it is okay, but who has the time. Nine-tenths of what he says means nothing to me. Worse than Schultz -and that is saying a lot.
By Sharky
December 22, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
I’m here to also tip my cap to Darrin “The Vent King”
Well said! Its time to come together and celebrate one of the greatest seasons in Atlanta Falcons history. What a TEAM!
By G. Deborah Hall
December 22, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
The Falcons have someone beside an Angel looking out for them. They have the top man. I do believe it was in the cards for them and now all they have to do is go out and play
By Mark Bradley
December 22, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
I’m writing something for tomorrow’s paper — big tease here — about the Falcons’ playoff chances, and I spoke this morning to Jeff Hullinger, the only announcer in team history who has had the opportunity to say, “The Falcons are going to the Super Bowl!”
By Kenny
December 22, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
I am so thankful i finally have bragging rights as a Falcons fan, Thanks Smitty you deserve coach of the year!!!
By fish
December 22, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
To Lucky 7 - you gots to be kiddin Home Skillet. Ryan is what this Club has needed all along - someone who can look off receiver 1 -2 and go to 3. Someone who can SIDESTEP a rush or step up into the pocket and not RUN FOR HIS LIFE like Vick. Vick’s problem all along….he was scared. Too scared to stand in the pocket to find the 2nd or 3rd receiver. Look at all the teams who have won the big one in the last 10 years. They have QBs who know how to avoid the rush by stepping aside or up. Get over Vick. He may win a GRAY Cup in Canada, but he will never play in a Super Bowl, unless he’s a back up tailback. You’re funny.
By Dixie Dawg
December 22, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
I think it’s hilarious that Matthew Stafford would be motivated to stay at UGA because he’s afraid he would be drafted by the lowly Lions.
By AJC Is Ridiculous
December 22, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
The AJC welcomes and encourages as many racist, bigoted remarks as possible. They’ve been encouraging it for years…they never had a problem with the names thrown at Vick EVER. So now they are specifically trying to bait by pretending like this is some mythical Cinderalla year for the Falcons. Newsflash: the Falcons won 4 games last year with a coach that didn’t want to be here past Labor Day. The Dolphins one ONE game…and both teams have 10 wins, but the Falcons are the “feel good story”?? Yeah, because of Golden Boy? Because the real MVP of the team is sitting in the back of the bus (Turner, I think thats his name). I’m sure many QBs coming outta college could benefit from the OC actually catering the offense to him, but that doesn’t happen for everybody. Let us see how long you keep the “now we have a real QB” racially based rhetoric going next season when your worst nightmare returns. It sure will be lonely around here…oh wait..no it won’t, the AJC will make sure to tie into that team some kind of way..each and every week! LOL
By MATT WHO?????
December 22, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
When VICK make his triumphant return all you haters of the moment will be saying WHO MATT RYAN?????????????????
By Virtual Fans
December 22, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
FIRST YOU CLAIMED YOU WISH THE FALCONS HAD DRAFTED LT INSTEAD OF VICK, WELL THEN LT STILL HASN’T WON A PLAYOFF GAME HAS HE? THEN YOU CLAIMED THE FALCONS SHOULD HAVE KEPT SCHAUB….OOPS! BET THE TEXANS WISH THE FALCONS HAD KEPT SCHAUB TOO! NOW I GUESS YOU HATERS ARE HOPING THE THIRD TIMES THE CHARM! LOL!! ITS BEEN 2 SEASONS WITHOUT VICK AND YOU STILL GOTTA BRING HIM UP! LOL!! HE WILL FOREVER BE THE MOST POPULAR BELOVED FALCON EVER! YOUR HATE COUNTS AS LOVE IDIOTS! YOU KEEP SHOWING THAT YOU ONLY THINK OF #7!! LMAO
By pirate
December 22, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
Coach of the year. Rookie of the year. Playoffs assured. Championship possible. Can this really be the Falcons????? Thanks Arthur, Smitty, Tim, players, coaches, waterboys, cheerleaders, Falcon fans, new and old.
By Big MIKE
December 22, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
Dimetrokoff,Smith,Ryan,Turner! Mr Blank money well spent, merry christmas! Lets get some shut down defensive players now, MOUNT Cody [ALABAMA] and a shut down defensive end to join Abraham, and I smell super bowl.
By ??
December 22, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this
ditto EVERYTHING “fish” said above … Matt Ryan is the kind of LEADER the Falcons have needed for a LONG TIME. MV7 couldn’t do it ‘cause he’s nothing but a solo-artist. Plus, MV7 will NEVER, NEVER, NEVER play ball in ATL again … deal with it “Mv7”, “AJC is Rediculous” and “MATT WHO?????” … MV7 is a thug and a criminal, and if you’re still cheering for him you are clearly one too.
Congrats to the Falcons!
By Hey Loser
December 22, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
Yes you, Lucky 7 aka AJC is Ridiculous aka Matt Who aka virtual fans. Start buying all the #7 Raiders jerseys you can afford and make sure to take all the other racist trash fans with you when you make the jump to Oakland.
By Stephen
December 22, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
I watched the Carolina - Giants game late last night hoping that the Giants could pull it out. When the game went into overtime, I was all too happy. When they scored the touchdown you’d have thought I was watching the Falcons win a close one by the way that I was cheering. Needless to say, the ATLANTA FALCONS NOW HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN THE NFC SOUTH. WOW…WHAT A TURNAROUND YEAR!!!
GO FALCONS!!
By The BlogFather of Scroll
December 22, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
Fumble, Fumble, Foiled by Fumbles, Timeouts burned, and Vikings humbled.
Are there deep mystical forces working for the Falcons? Surely it would take a spell to make the football take flight from the scrimmage line and scramble backwards purposefully toward the Falcon’s end zone twice in just a few minutes.
Or do the Falcons have an angel? A mischievous angel with a sense of humor that harkens back to the keystone cop silent movie era. An angel who turned the vikings into bumbling fumblers. The multiple images of the vikings chasing the pigskin dozens of yards behind their line of scrimmage provides some of the lighter moments of the past 300 years of stooge history.
There can be only one reason that supernatural beings would favor our Falcons: The ghosts of Vicks Dogs will be avenged even if it takes an unholy aliance of witches, angels, and willful pigskins. OMG I just invented the cheerleader eligible play!
By Dixie Dawg
December 22, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
Attention to all the Vick supporters
Vick will NOT, I repeat NOT be making any kind of return to Atlanta.
He is a thing of Atlanta’s tortured past and will never don a Falcon’s uniform again.
Vick was not done dirty by the Falcon’s organization. He had more than enough time to develop into a good quarterback and never did.
Sure, he was exciting to watch when he first came here, but the rest of the league got smart to all of his scrambling and they learned how to contain him.
Then the coaching staff wanted him to throw the ball more..and that didn’t work out all that well.
Yeah, Vick is really a football god, isn’t he, all of you Vick supporters?
Matt Ryan is the quarterback of the Falcons now. Quit living in the past.
If you want to support Vick so bad, then I suggest you start to root for the Oakland Raiders or the Detroit Lions, cuz that is probably where he will end up.
But it won’t be here in Atlanta. He’s done here. Arthur Blank, the owner, said so himself. It has nothing to do with his race, but his integrity as a man.
Not much of a man who tortures and kills dogs. He’s one step away from being a serial killer.
Vick, the conVick is gone and not coming back. So, wake up and smell the coffee.
By brent a.
December 22, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
Nice insight from Rosen re: Josh Smith.
I went to the game yesterday, and was reminded of how Smith, despite his athleticism, is not really a very good defender. He really is simply trying to position himself to block shots.
With Horford inside, who is a good defender (and he will continue to improve), Smith can get away with doing some floating and looking for the weak-side block; however, with his athleticism, it would be great for Smith to really begin working on becoming an elite defender.
In 1-2 years, the Celtics window will be closed, and the Hawks will have a chance to be one of the premier teams in the East/NBA. Smith’s development could be key to that.
Here’s an interesting note:
The Lakers have 5 losses this season
Detroit at home at Indiana at Sacramento at Miami at Orlando
The Hawks have not played Sacramento; but, they have a 3-1 record against the other 4 teams (Wins @ Miami, @ Orlando, and home against Detroit, and a loss at Indiana).
By Mark Bradley
December 22, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
Shouldn’t we be beyond the Vick/Ryan debate by now? I mean, it is Dec. 22, 2008. Michael Vick hasn’t played for the Falcons since Dec. 31, 2006. That’s a while ago.
By Dixie Dawg
December 22, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
Mark
I think that some of these bloggers say stuff like that to try and start stuff.
I’m for the future, while some of these people are fixed on the past.
Did you hear about Stafford’s decision about the NFL and how it might be affected because of the no. 1 draft pick?
By Michael
December 22, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
On UK hoops, the Wildcat fans who were displeased with Tubby (the one I know wasn’t) are getting what they deserve. Tubby Smith had a couple of good years at Georgia and had an out in his contract for one school - Kentucky. I don’t blame him for making a move akin to a Kentucky football coach going to Georgia.
All Tubby proceeds to do is win a national title his first season and then, well, not. Kentucky was still one of the top darn teams in the nation, but they didn’t win a national title. They should’ve sent him to the guillotine, not just fired him!!! Meanwhile, I think Georgia has made one non-Harrick NCAA tournament (see 2008), so I think Tubby was on to something.
I hope any fellow UGA football fans will learn from this if they call for Mark Richt’s head. Auburn’s athletics department certainly didn’t. I would certainly prefer a coach with 5 total wins versus a guy who won 13 in a single season.
By The BlogFather of Scroll
December 22, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
Fumble, Fumble, Foiled by Fumbles, Timeouts burned, and Vikings humbled.
Are there deep mystical forces working for the Falcons? Surely it would take a spell to make the football take flight from the scrimmage line and scramble backwards purposefully toward the Falcon’s end zone twice in just a few minutes.
Or do the Falcons have an angel? A mischievous angel with a sense of humor that harkens back to the keystone cop silent movie era. An angel who turned the vikings into bumbling fumblers. The multiple images of the vikings chasing the pigskin dozens of yards behind their line of scrimmage provides some of the lighter moments of the past 300 years of stooge history.
There can be only one reason that supernatural beings would favor our Falcons: The ghosts of Vicks Dogs will be avenged even if it takes an unholy aliance of witches, angels, and willful pigskins. OMG I just invented the cheerleader eligible play!
By Navigator
December 22, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
Tubby won his National Championship the year after Pitino left. Even Tubby admitted it was Pitino’s recruited team. Tubby can coach, but he really had a problem getting and keeping talent at Kentucky. What those reasons were are unknown to everyone but Tubby. It doesn’t change the facts that he had weak teams his last three years. Gillespie is changing the culture that existed in the past, and he to is having trouble getting some players to come to Kentucky, which blows the myth that players are waiting in line to sign there. That will change when he starts winning some big games, and he will. His team this year is talented, but they are young. Let’s see if this conversation continues in March.
By Shane
December 22, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
Sadly Mark we cant get past it. the Vick supporters see everything bad said about Vick as racist even though it isnt. If we had a white QB who tortured dogs he would have been run off as well. Its just a reality of living in the south. There are lots of racist on both sides. The really good fans are the ones in the middle who support the team wether the QB is white black or orange.
By Mark Bradley
December 22, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
Dixie Dawg, here’s the story in question regarding Stafford. It’s by David Paschall of the Chattanooga Times-Free Press. I didn’t link to it because we had it on AJC.com over the weekend. Essentially Stafford says he wouldn’t not turn pro just because Detroit has the No. 1 pick.
By Dixie Dawg
December 22, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
Thanks, Mark
That’s kinda comical, in a way. The Lions really do stink.
By Mark Bradley
December 22, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
You can’t get any worse than 0-15. No team ever has.
And to think: The Sporting News picked the Falcons to go 1-15.
By Historian
December 22, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
There is a different way of looking at the constant posting of disgusting remarks by Vick Supporters. They feel that certain individuals made wrong remarks when Vick was here, and now are doing the same for his replacement. What they don’t realize is that their own actions agree with that tactic. It’s really simple that both sides are cut from the same cloth. My personal view is that the administration in charge that used two #1 draft picks for any and I mean any QB is poor at their job. Let’s not forget that a good QB like Chris Chandler took them to the Championship, and they didn’t use a #1 or #2 to get him. The head coach had an idea that he had found another Elway, and could not get over the fact that as coach of Denver he didn’t win anything with Elway. When he went up against Denver in 1998, he got his head handed to him by the man that replaced him. Thank goodness, all of that is in the past (for most fans).
By The BlogFather of Scroll
December 22, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
I suffered with the Lions in the 70’s when I lived in Detroit. Nobody in Detroit understands what football’s mission is. What is the mission of a play? a football play? To score a touchdown?
Ya think?
morons in detroit ruined the seventies for me
By "Francisco"
December 22, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this
What I saw the Falcons do was “get a lead” then smartly “manage the lead”. We played with the lead and used the clock to our advantage and then with the game on the line, the defense “stepped up” on the final series and showed their “mettle”. Good for them!! The “Vike-Faithful” (et.al.) might suggest, “we gave ‘em the game w/ T/Os…” The problem w/that scenario is “if frogs had wings…” I/O/W…had the score or situation been different, the Falcon play calling (both O and D) would’ve most certainly been b/c the SITUATION would’ve called for it, yet the outcome STILL could’ve been the same…a victory for ATL. Nobody MADE the “Norsemen” cough it up…did they?…OOORRRR…maybe WE DID w/a good solid rush and agressive defensive play. Why is it when some other team does it, it’s “GREAT DEFENSE” or “THIS TEAM CREATES THEIR BREAKS” (w/T/Os)…but when “the Birds” do it…somehow the “OTHER TEAM FOLDED or CHOKED”. Let’s be consistent, most teams do! MR fumbled in the endzone…the “Vikes” had a clear shot to recover…it was in their hands…but they didn’t…who do they blame for that? They were takling Michael Turner trying to pull the ball out and he didn’t let ‘em…they tried as well they should, but kudos to our guys “protecting the ball”. Anyway, good game…but I think honestly, as we mature @ QB and as a team and coaches, we’ll learn how to remain and maintain an agressive approach to offense even when we have the lead and we’ll learn how to “put the oppponent away” and in my opinion, had the “Vikes” been playing a more veteran/mature “several years together as coaches and players type of playoff team” w/a truly veteran QB, the “Norsemen” MIGHT have seen a “50 spot” on the scoreboard…
By Dixie Dawg
December 22, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
I bet the office environment at the AJC sports department is like a party (besides yule tide cheer).
It’s gonna take very strong and influential people to right the Lion’s ship. Reminds me of last year when we got spurned by Kowher and Parcells.
Now we can sing that Toby Keith song, “How do you like me Now?”
Oops…I kinda sounded like O’Brien there with the musical entries.
By Dixie Dawg
December 22, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
Francisco
Very good “column”, but dude, break it up in paragraphs. :)
By The Grinch
December 22, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this
Count me in as another Simmons fan. He’s one of those people you either get or you don’t, and he writes his column mostly for regular readers. If you take sports so seriously it irritates you to have some humor along with it, he’s not for you (and that’s also why they put him on Page Two…he’s an entertainment columnist). And I don’t think he cares, nor should he.
Mark, I enjoy your articles, but I find it amusing that you just posted we should move on from Mike Vick; you’ve been dragging his corpse out all season.
By GT
December 22, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
Stafford and Calvin Johnson, somehow that cannot be that bad.
By ccjacket
December 22, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this
Don’t you think Tubby Smith would make a great coach at Georgia Tech?
By gwatl
December 22, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
MIke Smith is to be congratulated!! What a turnaround! He shows that leadership — and some football knowledge — goes a long way.
For just a moment, look at what Petrino has done. WALKED OUT ON A TEAM WITH TALENT: WENT TO A COLLEGE TEAM THAT HAD JUST BEATEN LSU: PRODUCED A LOSING SEASON THE FIRST YEAR: AND WATCHED HIS PREDESSOR (COACH NUTT) GO TO A BOWL GAME HIS FIRST YEAR AT OLE MISS!! Is that poetic justice or what!! Bet Arkansas is asking themselves the question: WHY DID WE LISTEN TO JERRY JONES??????
By The BlogFather of Scroll
December 22, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this
Frisco, The Falcons actually had little to do with their win yesterday. There are forces beyond the team’s control at work here. Yesterday was just another episode in a long list of weird games that we won this year. Last week we fumble three times and still pull it out? Remember that win with 11 seconds left? No, sir. Something wickedly wonderful this way comes.
Football has ghosts. Football is a sport that really hasn’t been defined. Some say that the big change came in the 19th century when they changed the rules to allow four downs to go ten yards for a first down. Then the invention of the quarterback was a big event for football, but it still wasn’t defined. All the rule changes we see are because football cant be defined. It’s not really about just the fans watching a game, with the score determining the winner.
Football is an emotion; an intellectually derived emotion, that becomes what the observer decides it should be. Each play is a universe of possibiities unto itself.
Take the quarterback sneak. Theoretically, it should score a touchdown every time, but it doesn’t because nobody expects it too. I saw a quarterback sneak score a touchdown five thousand times. When? you ask? When greenbay and dallas had that playoff for the ages that ended when bart starr snuck across the goal line and won the game, and which was replayed for ten solid years over and over during every game telecast live season after season ad nauseum. I was just a kid who became a teenager during those years, and even I remarked, “Can you show the Bart Starr Quarterback Sneak again, I dont think I really got all of it yet.”
My dad smacked the back of my head for being a smartass that day, my friends.
You all remember that right? They kept pointing out the block that the guard or the tackle made to allow Bart to sneak across the goal line, like it was the greatest moment in history. Remember?
Anyway, Football has yet to be defined to my satisfaction.
Today’s quiz: one question: What is Football?
Twenty five words or less, please.
By jakesdad
December 22, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this
what a roller coaster this year has been: from dismal expectations to maybe going .500 to maybe a winning season to controlling our destiny for a wild card, then losing it, then getting it back and now having a pretty decent shot at a division title, a 1st round bye & dome field advantage for 2nd if we beat a 2-13 team at home and the Saints complete the NFC South divisional home sweep!
it’s been a little tough to get too emotionally invested as we (fans) have had Lucy yank the ball away (pun intended) too many times over the years but I just have a feeling this time’s different - this time next year we’ll finally that consecutive winning season. a lot of people are talking about something similar to the Braves run of the 90s but there are a lot of, um…, “seasoned” veterans on this team that will need replacing in the next 3-5. that is in NO WAY disrespect, they are the heart/leadership of this team, but just like Terry Pendleton and Sid Bream had to face biological reality (& the NFLs a LOT harder on bodies) after some of their heroics, guys like Brooking, Malloy, etc will, despite their contributions over the years (lean and occasionally good), have to be replaced and those are some big shoes to fill. the good news is that so far we’re seeing some of the best personnel decisions since Jimmy Johnson took over the Cowboys!
go Birds!!!
By Najeh Davenpoop
December 22, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this
Charley Rosen once said that LeBron James would be “at best an average NBA player”.
If there’s anyone you should “hesitate to link to”, it’s him.
By The BlogFather of Scroll
December 22, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this
Jakesdad: I personally guarantee a superbowl win for the falcons. It’s in the stars. It’s written in stone. It’s as inevitable as sunrise, sunset, and weather.
I’ve never seen a team like the Falcons. That’s the point: I’ve never seen a team. Team.
They play as a team.
Teams win. Teams go to the superbowl.
Teams win superbowl rings.
Now, for the first and last time, I will address Vick and the Falcons.
There. i just did. Are Vick and the Falcons a team concept? Vick AND the Falcons?
The 2008 Atlanta Falcons will win the Superbowl.
I promise each and every single fan.
By OldGold
December 22, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this
Big deal. I think Tech could beat the Falcons this year. Hey, GT beat UGA, huh? Go Jackets and THWG!!!!!
By Dixie Dawg
December 22, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this
The Blog Father of Scroll
The spirits of the Jedi Order have told me in a dream on another plain of existence, that you like to smoke some ganja. Just joking! :)
By Dan
December 22, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this
So you have “hesitated to link to anything Bill Simmons writes for ESPN.com because I don’t much like sports writing weighed down by a ton of pop-culture references.” Cutting criticism - I bet Simmons will be crushed if he hears about this.
Admittedly that style of “weighed down” writing clearly hasn’t worked out for The Sports Guy - too bad he has not been able to get his work published in a growing branch of the media such as writing for a newspaper.
By Dixie Dawg
December 22, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this
Old Gold
Wake up, dude.
By WB
December 22, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this
Andy griffin came out with a recording in the fityies called—What it was-was Football.If i remember right he was telling us the meaning of football.If anybody remembers please help me out on this one
By misawaagent
December 22, 2008 7:35 PM | Link to this
Tom Jackson has been claiming on ESPN that he forecasted that Matt Ryan would be a great QB and that he predicted the Falcons would go to the playoffs. I don’t remember any national publication predicting the Falcons would do anyting or than go winless or win 1 or 2 games. So I wish somebody would call Tom Jackon out on his “so called prediction” I betch he cannot document nothing about what he said a few months ago
By Dixie Dawg
December 22, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this
WB
It’s Andy Griffith, not Griffin.
By monty
December 22, 2008 11:25 PM | Link to this
Thank you Petrino for sneaking out of town when you did. If it wasn’t for your leaving we wouldn’t have Smith. God works in mysterious ways! Merry Christmas D. Hall!
By TO BIG MIKE
December 23, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this
To Big Mike: Forget it dude. Cody is staying at Alabama. He has publically stated he wants to improve his condition, lose more weight, and get his knee well. He is staying for his senior year. Smith will probably come out. You can forget him as he will be long gone by the time the dirty birds draft.
To the idiot who says the Falcons and fans will forget Ryan when Con-Vick comes back. You have to be the biggest idiot who ever posted on a web site. Did your mother let you out of the room. Moron, there is no way on Algore’s global warming hoax of a world that ConVick will be the QB over Ryan. Go take your meds and get a good nights sleep. Maybe your stupidity will clear up by morning.
By Jason
December 23, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
Wow, thank God you left Lexington Mark because you obviously know nothing about college basketball. Congratulations to Tubby for beating 9 teams that no one remembers and one real win against an overrated (see WKU loss) Louisville team. Unfortunately, they don’t give out national championship trophies in December. Tubby rendered UK irrelevant, not Billy, and now the foundation is being put in place for true success (as in Final Fours). I keep reading your articles and wonder how you ever got a job. Dumb luck I guess. I should win the Pulitzer for this paragraph when compared to your writing. Hilarity ensues.
By Jon
December 23, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
“Kentucky into a program barely worthy of comment”
Wow you would think your time in Kentucky would have made you less of a moron, but, congrats! You’re extremely lucky you work in a town that could care less about college basketball and the idiotic articles you attempt to write.
PS, you commented on UK, and you always will, because you know what you have written is incorrect. If you did stop sports writing all together the world would be a better place. PS, watch out for the lolcats in the ceiling, they know what you’re doing in there at night.
By DEE
December 23, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
Tubby left UK!!!! He was not shoved out the door. Yes he won a National Championship his first year, with Pitino’s players. A 5th grader could have coached that team to a NC they had that much talent. We will see how relevant UK is in about 3 months.
By Jared Smith
December 23, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
Wow, disrespecting Bill Simmons and UK Basketball in the same blog is pretty brave. You leave out items such as Billy Clyde’s impressive recruiting and the fact that UK is going to be much more relevant in the next two years than they were in the waning era of Tubby Ball. I’m glad I read your blog so I will know now to never read it again.
By Sebastian
December 23, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
“Kentucky into a program barely worthy of comment”
If thats the case, then why are you commenting on this matter?????
What no Michael Vick stuff to talk about
By A Concerned Colonel.
December 23, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
You’re a hack who will be lucky to be flipping burgers as the era of printed news slowly embraces its inevitable demise. Good luck, buddy. Make sure you take Jerry Tipton with you to the unemployment line.
By matt earley
December 23, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
Hi Mark,
Perhaps some day UK will approach the stunning historical success of UGA and GA Tech, until then…
In the meantime we Big Blue fans will enjoy blowing out the Dawgs 2 or 3 more times this year and watching you eat cat scat.
Hope to see you there!
By deandrew
December 23, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
Kentucky basketball is always worth talking about that is what the media does all across the country. Just like you feeling as if you need to talk about them now. The question I have is why you feel the need to bash them. Is it to fit in with all the media across the country. When you are the best of all time there will always be haters. Even if they come from are own backyard. I assume the Herald must have fired you for your lack of abilty to discuss basketball. But the nice thing for you is you are in a city that dosent care about the round ball like the people in Kentucky. So good luck hope not to here from you again on Kentucky basketball or anything for that matter. P.S. Enjoy big blue nation when they march through the SEC and the SEC title game
By A Concerned Colonel.
December 23, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
You’re a hack who will be lucky to be flipping burgers as the era of printed news slowly embraces its inevitable demise. Good luck, buddy. Make sure you take Jerry Tipton with you to the unemployment line.
By ukblue
December 23, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this
As a die-hard fan of a UK basketball program VERY MUCH WORTH MENTIONING, I can honestly say that I’m very happy for what Tubby is accomplishing at UM. He’s a great man and still very well respected in Lexington despite what you might hear. It was time to change venues for Tubby and for UK. Whether or not we might the right choice in his replacement is still yet to be determined but I, for one, think we did. Tubby simply wasn’t getting the job done in his last few years. Recruiting was lacking and the only final four he ever went to was with Pitino’s players (that’s not discounting his coaching one bit, simply stating a fact). Good luck to Tubby but let’s just move on and get over it already!
By John Smith
December 23, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
Just wanted to say ‘thank you’ for not knowing anything about the University of Kentucky’s state of basketball. It truly goes to show you that even with a graduate education at UK, there are people who know nothing about UK’s sports, which is a shame. It amazes me that mainstream media truly has no clue about how the basketball program is forming.
I could not be happier with our coach and neither could the majority of our fans. Gillispie has brought the words ‘exciting’ and ‘hardworking’ back to the bluegrass. We needed that badly. Also, for that Minnesota fan who actually started to spout out Tubby information while Tubby was here at UK, you know nothing about his time here. Enjoy the ‘elite’ program he is building; here it’s considered mediocrity.
Finally, Mark please, stop writing about UK sports. Keep to what you do best, talk about everything else but UK sports.
By greg stewart
December 23, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
glad you are FROM kentucky. i’m thinking we are better off with out you… and tubby…and rick. do the have a “journalist?? barely worthy of comment” ? if so you win.
By deandrew
December 23, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
Kentucky basketball is always worth talking about that is what the media does all across the country. Just like you feeling as if you need to talk about them now. The question I have is why you feel the need to bash them. Is it to fit in with all the media across the country. When you are the best of all time there will always be haters. Even if they come from are own backyard. I assume the Herald must have fired you for your lack of abilty to discuss basketball. But the nice thing for you is you are in a city that dosent care about the round ball like the people in Kentucky. So good luck hope not to here from you again on Kentucky basketball or anything for that matter. P.S. Enjoy big blue nation when they march through the SEC and the SEC title game
By andrew
December 23, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
“Billy Gillispie has turned Kentucky into a program barely worthy of a comment” No, apparently he has turned Kentucky into a program that warrants four paragraphs to be written about UK by you.
By Gross
December 23, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
I want to comment on your remarks about Kentucky, but just realized your column is not worthy of comment.
By tracy snowden
December 23, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this
Very short-sighted on your part. Perhaps you are right about Big Blue’s new coach. We shall see. However, if you are proved wrong, I hope you will man up. Save my email, and if three years from now, we are not doing very well, I’ll apologize to you! How’s that.
By mads
December 23, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this
Mark, I’m sure the reason why you left Lexington to come work in Atlanta is that here, nobody cares about basketball- so you look very clever. You would last an hour at the LHL today.
By Mark Bradley
December 23, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this
Im so sorry guys I actually never went to class at UK. I bought one of those degrees online and have been using that. Gotta run, lolcats are watchin.
By Claudia
December 23, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
Are you best friends with Michael Vick? Maybe you have had too many head concussions. Do us wildcat fans a favor and don’t tell anyone you graduated from Kentucky okay. We are rising to the top again, so please ignore us. You will do us a favor.
By Tim Gidcumb
December 23, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
On Kentucky basketball, just give Billy a little time to recover from the disaster Tubby left us in and the media will soon have to save face when we are hanging championship banners back in the rafters at Rupp. Tubby beat a Louisville team that is the most overrated team in college basketball this year and a team that got stomped by Western Kentucky. Did I mention it was Western Kentucky. On Andy Katz, I’m suprised ESPN would allow him to mention any other team than Duke as his team of the week, his tenure is probably short lived at ESPN. I’ll keep up my support of the team with the second most championship banners and the most wins of all time even when there is a few down years. Remember we have always come back. Always!!! Go Wildcats!!!
By BleedinBlue
December 23, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this
What a douche. Get a life, leave UK behind and move on. Billy G will have UK atop the SEC this year and for years to come. You think one SEC title due to mother nature makes your team RELEVANT? Try again.
By Jeff
December 23, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
Was smart….. Read article….. Now dumb.
By Shaun
December 23, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
**mark, please refrain from mentioning that you were born in KY, or that you graduated from UK, ever again. You are now EXILED. You are no longer “WORTHY” of those distinctions. Go back to your dormant state of writing about UK. We don’t need you to mention us, and neither does Jody. The rest of the nation will know of his greatness soon enough. You mentioning him, with your “0” credibility, is more of a negative to his credentials, than a positive.
By David Pat
December 23, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this
Who are you anyway? You know what they say, “Little man talks big and a big man dosen’t need to talk at all”. So, who are you anyway?
By kjh
December 23, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this
Wrong again Mark, Tubby Smith took a program with enough talent for 3 National Championship games in a row and turned them into what Billy Gillispie has inherited now. If there is a reason why UK may not deserve commenting on, it lies with Tubby Smith who had 10 years and brought in stellar talent like Jared Carter and Sheray Thomas decimating your alma mater.
By David
December 23, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this
I, for one, am glad you are happy in Atlanta. If you ever feel the need to leave the center of hip-hop, just pack you’re bags and move to the home of Prince. You and Tubby can get together and give each other hugs.
By Dan Wells
December 23, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this
Hilarious comments about UK. I can’t believe a professional “journalist” would let his personal feelings against a Basketball program affect his judgment. You can comment on Meeks and Tubby without bringing your hatred into it. Please try to remain porfessional in the future. By the way, I loved Tubby, we did not run him out of town, he left on his own.
By Daniel
December 23, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
Mark “little Jerry tipton” Write another blog on UK in March when they are in the sweet 16.
By Senor Reality
December 23, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
Tubby Smith will NEVER win a championship at Minnesota. And their fans will be fine with that because they don’t expect to.
Billy Clyde will have UK in the Final Four in less than 3 years. And their fans will be thrilled with that because they the expect to COMPETE for it more than once every decade.
Plain and simple…Nuff said. Anyone care to wager?!!!
By SportsFan
December 23, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
Can there be a bigger sports douche bag than you? If there is I haven’t seen it. Your comments are as inane as any I’ve seen from a “professional” journalist in sometime. I feel dumber for having read this.
By Matt
December 23, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
Mark, you sure seem to know everything about about basketball, but let me tell you a little something that you left out about tubby. He is a good coach, thats true, but cant run a program long-term. If you look at his previous coaching jobs, you can see that he does well in his first couple seasons, he won us a national championship. But over time there is no doubt that our program was deteriorating, so what were we supposed to do watch as program went down the drain? If you weren’t such an arogant jerk you might have noticed. I like tubby, but it was clear that he couldn’t maintain a top-level program. I’m not saying Gillespie can , but it was time to try. BTW were 9-3 right now looking very hot, watch out Louisville.
By Brandon
December 23, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
You have really gone over the edge to say the Kentucky basketball program is barely worthy to be mentioned. If you haven’t forgot, UK is the all time most winningest program in the nation. We have second most championships of any D-1 school and to say theyre not worthy is rediculous. Tubby Smith is a great guy but didn’t play the style of ball he is playing with Minn. UK just won last night 102-58. I dont recall a game in Tubbys career that was more dominating than the performances this team is starting to produce. No matter who the competition is, to win by almost 50 and be up by 35 at half is dominating. So if you feel the need to bash UK then you can forever stay out of this state and no one will care if you graduated from UK because from my point of view you might as well graduated from UofL with your antics. You live in Atlanta and have the need to bash UK. I dont think half your readers care about UK so why dont you think of your career and where your located and worry about yourself. The only reason I saw your post was because it came out on a Kentucky website. By the way, worry about your falcons getting a superbowl ring before you worry about kentucky’s 8th championship.
By IFChris
December 23, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this
It’s funny. The fans from Kentucky try to say Tubby won it with Rick’s players like it’s some kind of freaking insult. Even funnier, [bold]Navigator[/bold], says Tubby admits as much, but leaves out the part where Rick Pitino said:
I could not have coached the 98 team to the National Championship. Typical Kentucky fans. When it comes to Tubby, the ignore EVERYTHING unless it fits their argument against him.
Oh well, Kentucky’s loss is obviously Minnesota’s gain.
By jeff
December 23, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this
“not worthy of a comment” most likely because you have no journalistic resources to feed off to develop an original thought.
my guess is, since atlanta doesn’t pay much of attention to basketball except to feed off the SEC tournament and its visiting fans, you can’t figure anything out to say. well played sir, well played. there’s a reason you live in GA…
By Rich
December 23, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this
The hatred you spew toward your Alma Mater never ceases to amaze me. The fact that you have the nerve to sit here and say that UK is becoming irrelevant is simply stunning. I’ve been fortunate to live in Atlanta for almost 19 years and during that time had the misfortune of reading your dribble. I can’t remember an article that you’ve written about UK basketball that hasn’t including some hate toward the program….and that includes the time that Tubby was there. Tubby was burnt out and wasn’t getting it done his last couple of seasons. I’ve had the opportunity to have met Tubby on several occasions and he is one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met, but he was ready to move on. Gillispie will get the job done and in case you forgot they lost Patterson and Meeks and Crawford was playing on a bad foot down the stretch last year, so what he did was amazing with what he had. The team continues to improve and I believe they played UNC the closest of anyone all year…and it was in Chapel Hill. I know this will be too much to ask of your ego, but I hope as they continue to improve that when you give a player props you can keep the hatred toward the program and it’s fans to yourself.
By you'reatool
December 23, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
Tubby is a class act and a great coach if you want to take a bunch of scrappy unknowns on a run to the sweet 16. Tubby did however leave Billy G a bare cupboard save for Meeks. Since then, he has brought in Patterson (will be one of UK’s best ever), Liggins, and Darius Miller and has Daniel Orton and Jon Hood for next year. I think he is doing the best with what he has and priming KY to get back to the days of old. But you don’t know what you are talking about so why did I even dignify you with a response?
By GMo
December 23, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this
You are a disgrace to the entire state of Kentucky and we have formally disowned you. Your writing is elementary and your thinking as Robert Downey Jr. best said “full retard”.
Tubby is and always was a great bench coach. He nearly took us to two final fours but the key word is nearly. His leaving was a win/win for both parties. Good luck in Minnesota and the Cats are now on their way back to the top.
College basketball isn’t even relevant in Georgia is it?
By MB superdouche
December 23, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
It’s pretty sad when no one will read your articles unless you stir the pot. Suck it
By Richie Farmer
December 23, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this
Mark,
UK is the ROMAN COLISEUM of College Basketball. UK has the most wins and highest winning pct of any team in Div. 1. UK is second only to UCLA in National Titles. UK has the most passionate fans in all of college basketball. The TEAM is BIGGER than the COACH. Many of the fans SUPPORTED TUBBY when he was here. The problems he ran into from what I know was the refusal to fire some of his assistants who were not getting the type of players needed to compete Nationally every year. He chose to leave and was not forced out although some fans thought that his time had passed. UK Fans want a Final Four every year. Making the Tourney is not a success. First and Second round losses are huge disappointment! People stand in LONG LINES to watch a PRACTICE!!! We love our basketball, and the CATS are TOP DOG! Not sure what happened to you growing up in Lexington, but obviously, you never understood the IMMENSE LOVE that the commonwealth has for the BOYS in BLUE…. Maybe you did this to get hits and comments on your BLOG to show your boss???? If so, then you are smarter than your comments. KENTUCKY is COLLEGE BASKETBALL and saying they are NOT WORTHY of a MENTION is IDIOTIC!
By john boy
December 23, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this
Tubby is a great coach who couldn’t sustain a big time program. That is nothing against him, but he is just more fitted for atmosphere at a place like Tulsa or Minnesota. And how does a program barely worth mentioning generate 4 paragraphs???
By john boy
December 23, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
Tubby is a great coach who couldn’t sustain a big time program. That is nothing against him, but he is just more fitted for atmosphere at a place like Tulsa or Minnesota. And how does a program barely worth mentioning generate 4 paragraphs???
By Dee
December 23, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this
You just can’t fix Stupid. GO BIG BLUE!!!
By Rob Pedigo
December 23, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bradley? Who are you? I am 29 years old(my birthday was Sunday), and I have no idea who you are. You worked at the Herald leader? You covered UK basketball? With what? Umbrellas? “Not worth mentioning” that would mean that you wouldn’t mention us, right? But you did..I am confused.. hang in there son, if you keep mentioning Lexington, maybe someone will recognize you.
By Greg
December 23, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this
Thank goodness you are no longer in Kentucky we sure don’t need another Jerry Tipton covering our basketball team. ITs great that Minnesota has Tubby becuase HE is the reason UK is where is it today…. HE by hinmself almost ruined UK basketball but have no fear we will be back better than as like always, becasue we are the best basketball team of all time hands down…. so stay in atlanta and never go back to UK we certainly don’t need people like you….
By Kyle
December 23, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
You just can’t fix Stupid. GO BIG BLUE!!!
AMEN
By SeoulCat
December 23, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
Mark Bradley,
You’re an a*. Period. Tubby’s departure from UK was of his own volition. He was never “forced out.” I love the Tub, but he got out “when the gettin’ was good,” at a time when he knew rebuilding was on the horizon.
You must be auditioning for the position of “Jerry Tipton’s intern” with garbage like this? A little birdie told me that you got put in your place at the SEC Tourney by a fellow member of the media who used those exact words.
By Dylan
December 23, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
A program that’s not worth a comment? Bradley You just showed how ignorant you truly are. I could give you several reasons why Billy G has begun to turn the program around. But point blank, arguing with a moron generally is pointless.
btw- I’m not even a kentucky fan. Go heels
By kenton minter
December 23, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
Such disgrace and ignorance. Embarrassed you’re even from here nevertheless an Alum. WoW! anyways…..Go CATS!!!!!!!
By Dylan
December 23, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
A program that’s not worth a comment? Bradley You just showed how ignorant you truly are. I could give you several reasons why Billy G has begun to turn the program around. But point blank, arguing with a moron generally is pointless.
btw- I’m not even a kentucky fan. Go heels
By Dan
December 23, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this
The “overmatched” Gillispie? LO freaking L. You mean the 2008 Co-Coach of the Year in the SEC? You might be the single dumbest columnist to ever write anything about UK Basketball. Tell you what, do us all a favor and don’t write anything about us for another calendar year. At that point, we’ll anxiously await your article singing the praises of our beloved coach, top 10 team, top-flight recruits, and inevitable return to college basketball dominance. I’m looking forward to it.
By MB EMAIL
December 23, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
Is there a reason you stopped putting your email address in your articles?
mbradley@ajc.com
By Todd
December 23, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this
Can’t you get off the Kentucky Hater bandwagon. The Kentucky fans got tired of making it to the big dance and going one or two and done. Tubby is a class act and will do great in Minn and they will be very happy with just making it to the tournament every year.
By Jason
December 23, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
Today is the first time I’ve ever heard of you so you were actually less than “barely worthy of mention” to me. Do you get paid for your writing or do you just feel like everyone needs to hear you?
By Greenwell
December 23, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this
Mark, you have two ears and one mouth, please use them in that proportion when you discuss college hoops. All the best to Tubby Smith and Minn. He is first class.
Has it been a year since you wrote about UK basketball because you are still disjointed from one Matt Jones roasting you at the SEC tournament? You sir, are a nitwit!!
By bob
December 23, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
your an idiot
By ryan
December 23, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
If you covered the Cats in Lexington you must have had a large umbrella. Who are you? Why would it be any relevance to you if you work for a CATLANTA paper? You must have been ushered out of town for a reason and therefore are no longer viable to UK fans and should never be mentioned in the same sentence. We understand you have no college sports in ATL and some very mediocre pro teams so you ventured out of your league talking trash about a school that educated you? Maybe, just maybe, your education is directly correlated with your topics, but at the same time why would you mention “barley worthy of comment” and then go on to talk about how you are from here? You just exceeded your quota talking about the Cats because you know our following is the most educated, internet savvy group and that we would find you even if we had no idea whom the hell you were! You are now forever pasted as an ENEMY and will never be respected. You are a disgrace to your home state and family.
By chris
December 23, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
I was listening to Colin Cowerd show about a year ago and he said you can never be mad at a guy that left your program better than he found it. I put a spin on that and say can you like a guy that left your program worse than when he found it? Tubby was a well liked person in Kentucky,but nobody wanted the poor recruiting and a lack of getting better coaching. It seemed as if he was collecting a paycheck. UM is 10-0 cause they have played absoloutely nobody and the win over UofL is big for them but UofL is big time overrated. Im glad that Tubby is doing good things to a school that has no tradition whatso ever. That is a place he needs to be with no expectations and just a winning season is good for the Gophers. At Kentucky it is different. We are proud and we are loyal to the program wether we are losing or winning. Billie G is going to have to turn things around and by the looks of things he is getting that on track. When Tubby was at UK after Prince he never could get UK on any of the top recruits lists of places to go and it was getting bad. The program sold itself but nobody wanted to play that Big 10 style of basketball. Regular season wins are overrated and the tourney is what counts. Look at the tourney and tell me that Tubby wasn’t getting progressively worse. But no matter what is going on we are always worthy of comment and will never not be worthy of it. If I am not mistaken I beleive everyone’s beloved UNC was going through a rough stretch also….I think UK went into Chapel Hill and placed the worse butt kicking on them they have ever had in their gym. So a couple of years of bad is bound to happen to everyone. If every place had a UK they would understand the feeling….College basketball is life here and always will be. Plus we are the only school in the nation that goes to their rivals gym and plays a game against another opponent. We are the kid in school nobody likes cause we normally get everything we want…I would hate us too!!!!!1
By chris
December 23, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this
I was listening to Colin Cowerd show about a year ago and he said you can never be mad at a guy that left your program better than he found it. I put a spin on that and say can you like a guy that left your program worse than when he found it? Tubby was a well liked person in Kentucky,but nobody wanted the poor recruiting and a lack of getting better coaching. It seemed as if he was collecting a paycheck. UM is 10-0 cause they have played absoloutely nobody and the win over UofL is big for them but UofL is big time overrated. Im glad that Tubby is doing good things to a school that has no tradition whatso ever. That is a place he needs to be with no expectations and just a winning season is good for the Gophers. At Kentucky it is different. We are proud and we are loyal to the program wether we are losing or winning. Billie G is going to have to turn things around and by the looks of things he is getting that on track. When Tubby was at UK after Prince he never could get UK on any of the top recruits lists of places to go and it was getting bad. The program sold itself but nobody wanted to play that Big 10 style of basketball. Regular season wins are overrated and the tourney is what counts. Look at the tourney and tell me that Tubby wasn’t getting progressively worse. But no matter what is going on we are always worthy of comment and will never not be worthy of it. If I am not mistaken I beleive everyone’s beloved UNC was going through a rough stretch also….I think UK went into Chapel Hill and placed the worse butt kicking on them they have ever had in their gym. So a couple of years of bad is bound to happen to everyone. If every place had a UK they would understand the feeling….College basketball is life here and always will be. Plus we are the only school in the nation that goes to their rivals gym and plays a game against another opponent. We are the kid in school nobody likes cause we normally get everything we want…I would hate us too!!!!!1
By yoo
December 23, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this
Bradley is a smart guy.
He knows nothing will increase his readership and increase his blog hit count more than talking smack about the greatest college basketball program in history, I guess he has an end of the year hit count to reach before AJC takes his server space away.
Nice work Mark!
By Doyle
December 23, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
I would not hire Mark Bradley to mow my lawn.
His comments on a program barely worthy of comment speak for themselves. Heard he got Jones’d at the SEC tournament on press row by an amatuer. What a clown.
Mark Bradley makes Jerry Tipton seem like Shakespeare.
By GMo
December 23, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
In not so important news…………The AJC reports that they have just replaced Mark Bradley with………Kige Ramsey.
By Brad
December 23, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
from here? whatever- Go Cats!
By jake
December 23, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
I told Mark Bradley at some point that I was glad for his sake that people in Atlanta didnt care about college basketball….because if a reporter with his knowledge was in the Lexington or North Carolina areas, they wouldnt be able to get a job “interning for Jerry Tipton”
Sound Familiar Mark? lmao
By Anthony
December 23, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
Hey Mark, way to discredit your journalistic skills by taking cheap shots at the University of Kentucky. Billy Gillispie has taken a team that had MAC-level talent on the roster (thanks to “10-loss” Tubby) and turned them into a team that can legitimately win the SEC this season. You know this to be fact, yet you play keyboard toughguy and take your little cheap shots from afar. You are a piece of work - crappy work.
By Adam
December 23, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
Lets get this straight Mr. Bradley. Tubby Smith left UK, he wasn’t “pushed aside”. And, I think I speak for all Kentucky fans when I say that Tubby Smith was a good X’s and O’s coach but he couldn’t recruit to save his life. I mean seriously, He gave Mike friggin’ Williams a scholarship along with players like Michael Porter, Adam Williams, Sheray Thomas and Lukas Orbzut just to name a few. Seriously, if Tubby Smith wouldn’t have given these guys schoarships none of them would have touched the floor for a big time program such as Kentucky. So, there ya go Minnesota fans, get ready for mediocre recruiting and 20 win seasons that result in early exits from the tournament by the hands of a team with far superior talent and athletic ability (see 2006-2007 tournament UK vs KU). And when it happens, which it will, you can thank Tubby for filling your roster with a bunch of average players. But oh yeah, you’re Minnesota, so you’re used to that. Here at Kentucky we’re not, that’s why we hired Billy Clyde, so he could come in and clean up the s** trail left by your coach. Sure, you’ll occasionally get a marquee win but don’t expect it everytime you play a top 10 team. That was one of the good things about Tubby Smith, he always had Pitinos number. So, Don’t worry Minnesota fans and Mr. Bradley, you can kick us while were down (which won’t be much longer), but I guarantee Billy will be very successful once he gets rid of all the garbage left behind by Tubby Smith. So, you’re welcome Minnesota! and Thank you for reinvigorating a program that so badly needed to climb out of the hole of mediocrity and find someone who truly understands the importance of being the head coach at the University of Kentucky.
By Scott
December 23, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this
Bradley’s blog, Kentucky basketball not worthy of a comment?? I mean really any respectable journalist knows how big the program is, and the fact that you went there makes it even more befuddling. Make an argument with some credible facts, because you’re so far off based its unreal…
By Joe
December 23, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this
Uh, You stink
By Doug
December 23, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this
You obviously have not watched many UK games this year. After a shaky start b/c of poor point guard play, the Cats are hot and have been looking damn good lately. This is a Final Four caliber team. Tubby was a good bench coach who couldn’t recruit, especially towards the end. Tubby had one real chance to make a Final Four after ‘98, but UK expects more than to challenge for the title once every 5 years.
By Don
December 23, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the comment on a “team that’s barely worth a comment.” Grammatically, you would have been more “remiss” than “derelict” for not mentioning Jodie’s accomplishments this past week. I digress. I cannot help but feel somewhat sorry for your loss of enthusiasm for your home State and alma mater. For whatever reason, and likely not one rooted in reason, you stoop to poop slinging like monkeys at the zoo. I’m sure you make those associated with you personally very proud that you have used your education as a vehicle for real change. Ahhh, journalistic integrity, where have you gone?
By James Burnett
December 23, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this
Hey Bradley, I’m sending you a turd sandwich for Christmas. The fact of the matter is you are barely worth mentioning.
Signed,
Barely worth mentioning UK fan
By Jay
December 23, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
A Program not worth mentioning eh?! Well, after the way you treated Matt Jones during the SEC tourney, I would say that your not worth mentioning as a nice guy. We here in Kentucky actually care about basketball and understand that while winning games is important, we care more about championships. So Tubby beating Ricky P in late December is not a big deal, we want to be able to win in March…good luck losing the 2nd rnd tubby!
By cj
December 23, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this
i heard matt jones kicked your a*. ha ha !
By Dave
December 23, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
Let Mark Richt go 8-4 for three seasons, never make a BCS bowl game, and lose to Florida for 3 straight years and watch how fast he gets canned. Tubby left under pressure, but he was not fired. Georgia fans are passionate about their football but likely fall short of the passion that UK fans have for basketball. “Barely worthy of comment”, is barely close to reality. UK is relevant. They are getting hot. Gillispie is a big picture coach who will sacrifice early season success to experiment with rotations, get players in line physically and mentally, and also to develop a team harmony. He has done it everywhere he has been and he will do it at UK in a big, big way. In the modern game of basketball, a coach like Gillispie has the chance to build a dynasty. I am not saying this through blue-tinted glasses, just pulling from my acute observations of how this program is changing. Tubby lowered expectations. Gillipsie is rebuilding them.
Tubby Smith is, was, and always will have a honored seat at UK’s table. He was the man for the job in 1998, he was not in 2005. He lost his fire and passion for competition and his overall performance, and therefore the program, suffered. He hired lackeys for assistants and had no accountability for the players or his staff. Remember “Team Turmoil”? When he could get talent he couldn’t manage it, and despite being one of the best in-game managers and X and O guys in the game, he had several major deficiencies: 1) He had trouble consistently recruiting and especially spacing classes, positions, and talent; 2) He had trouble managing his staff and the players, and 3) He gave up! I wish Tubby the best. Discussing Tubby’s time at Kentucky is in no way completely dismissing his accomplishments. Some of the points I have read here and in the national sports media seems to suggest that Kentucky fans always throw out the baby with the bathwater (the formal logical fallacy known as poisoning the well), but that is untrue. You can discuss, especially from a well-informed and articulated position, specific deficiencies and points of concern with a coach without being a totalitarian bigot who is only capable of a monosolovic droning of C-A-T-S in their sleep.
So, UK is worthy of lots of comments it appears. Your logic, wit, and general writing platform, I am sorry to say, are not. Enjoy blogging away in Atlantanimity and maybe one day, when your wit has been sharpened to a vorpeal tip and you finally publish your piece on how UK fan fervor caused the devaluation of modern currency or some such drivel, you will finally get called up to the major leagues at Perez-Hilton where your gossipy sophomoric angst of never really relating to a great and noble tradition will play a little better. Sports are for men and the occasional reporter—you sir, are neither!
By Greenwell
December 23, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
Bradley, what’s your record for comments? The site is running rather slowly. Go Big Blue!
By KY
December 23, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this
@yoo: You nailed it. Enough said.
By Meatsie
December 23, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
Mark Bradley…you are a puta who needs to shut his mouth. I don’t want see you set foot back in the bluegrass. Bottom line Tubby sucked at recruiting and couldn’t handle the pressure. Here is a list of Tubby’s accomplishments. Do your research before you speak.
-First UK coach to loose 6 straight to an SEC opponent. -First UK coach to go 8 straight years without a final four. -First UK coach to have to play on Thursday in an SEC tournament since the expansion to the current 12 team format. -The First UK coach to lose 10 or more games three years in a row, and 4 of the last 7 years. -The first UK coach to lose to Vandy in Rupp (back to back losses) -The first UK coach to be swept by Vandy in a season in 32 years (two consecutive sweeps) -The first UK coach to lose 4 straight to an SEC opponent in 30 years. -Only coach to lose to Ole Miss at Rupp -Only coach to lose to Vandy twice at Rupp -Only coach to lose 4 home games to SEC Opponents -More Home losses than any previous UK coach -Most Double Digit loss seasons of any UK coach -1st UK coach to not finish at least 2nd in the East since the SEC expansion -Most transfers and problem players of any UK coach -Never recruited a player to play in a final four in 16 years as a head coach -Fewest NBA draft picks of any coach with at least 5 years (only 2 1st rounders in 10 years) -47% of his recruits don’t make their senior year -6 game losing streak to Florida -Only coach with the overall #1 seed in the NCAA to lose in the 2nd round -Lowest Average Points Scored Per Game since the 3 point shot was introduced -Worst loss to Indiana ever (26 points) -Only UK coach to lose consecutive games to Kansas -Worst Loss on Senior Day since 1919 -Only UK coach with a losing record vs Michigan State (2-4) -Only coach to ever lose to a number 1 ranked team at rupp. -Only coach to ever begin the season ranked in the top 10 and finish the season unranked. -Worst average attendance at Rupp Arena for one season, under Tubby (00-01 avg.21,014), since it opened in 1976. Rupp Arena hasn’t averaged 23,000+ since the 98-99 season
Now to compare Tubby to the coach before him (Pitino)
Rick Pitino’s 1st year 14-14 probation team averaged more than 10 ppg than ANY Tubby Smith team except 2. It averaged 8.9 ppg more than those 2 teams:
Rick Pitino - Points per Game
1989-90 88.82 1990-91 85.89 1991-92 85.72 1992-93 87.50 1993-94 86.88 1994-95 87.39 1995-96 91.44 1996-97 83.13
Tubby Smith takes over (lets see what happens to PPG) 1997-98 80.08 1998-99 75.41 1999-00 69.09 2000-01 79.79 2001-02 76.88 2002-03 77.28 2003-04 73.91 2004-05 73.62 2005-06 70.77 2006-07 72.32
-Percentage of games ranked in the top 5 Tubby-16% Pitino-59% (53% including probation year) -Number of Home losses Tubby-19 Pitino-5 (7 if you include probation year) -10+ loss seasons Tubby-4(soon to be 5) Pitino-0 (1 probation year) Average number of losses per year Tubby - 7.9 (about to be above 8) Pitino - 5.14 (6.25 counting probation) Number of games in top 5 Tubby in 326 total games only 54 in top 5 Pitino in 269 total games 142 in top 5 Team turmoils Tubby - 2 Pitino - 0 Transfers out of program Tubby - 14 Pitino - 7 1st round NBA picks Tubby - 2 Pitino - 10 Final Four Pitino 5 (3 at Kentucky) Tubby 1 Final Four (a player Tubby Smith has recruited has never been to a FF in his 16 year career at Tulsa, Georgia, or Kentucky Championship Games Pitino 2 Tubby 1 (no players that he recruited) NCAA Tourney winning percentage Pitino 22-5 .783 Tubby 23-8 .663
Additional Notes
Pitino beat 11 teams seeded 5th or higher in 6 NCAA Tournaments.
Tubby has beaten 4 teams seeded 5th or higher in 9 NCAA Tournaments, and just one since his first season at Kentucky
By Blujean
December 23, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
Oooops sorry Bradley ! I was going to insert a comment referencing your assinine comment concerning Coach Billy Clyde. I noticed your resume includes stints with not onlt the Urinal - Constipation but Lexington’s own Horribly - Liberal. With credentials like that we know from where you’re venom originates.
By Kentucky Basketball
December 23, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
Kentucky is the #1 college basketball program of all time. Here are a few of the reasons.
All time wins: 1975 (NCAA rank #1)
All time winning percentage: .760 (NCAA rank #1)
NCAA Tournament appearances: 49 (NCAA rank #1)
NCAA Tournament games: 142 (NCAA rank #1)
NCAA Tournament wins: 98 (NCAA rank #1)
NCAA Tournament winning percentage: .690 (NCAA rank #6)
NCAA Championships: 7 (NCAA rank #2)
NCAA Championship Game appearances: 10 (NCAA rank #2)
NCAA Final Four appearances: 13 (NCAA rank #4)
NCAA Elite-8 appearances: 31 (NCAA rank #1)
NCAA Sweet-16 appearances: 40 (NCAA rank #1)
AP Top-10 finishes: 38 (NCAA rank #1)
AP Top-5 finishes: 25 (NCAA rank #1)
AP #1 finishes: 8 (NCAA rank #1)
UPI (Coaches) Top-10 finishes: 34 (NCAA rank #1)
UPI (Coaches) Top-5 finishes: 25 (NCAA rank #1)
UPI (Coaches) #1 finishes: 7 (NCAA rank #1)
20-win seasons: 52 (NCAA rank #1)
25-win seasons: 28 (NCAA rank #2)
30-win seasons: 11 (NCAA rank #1)
Total non-losing seasons: 91 (NCAA rank: #1)
Total winning seasons: 88 (NCAA rank #2)
Consensus All-Americans: 17 (NCAA rank #2)
Consensus All-American selections: 22 (NCAA rank #5)
Total All-Americans: 46 (NCAA rank #2)
Total All-American selections: 76 (NCAA rank #1)
NBA draft picks: 90 (NCAA Rank #3)
1000 point scorers: 55 (NCAA rank #3)
Conference Championships: 43 (NCAA rank #2)
Conference Tournament championships: 26 (NCAA rank #1)
In addition, Kentucky is the only team in history to have multiple NCAA, NIT, and Helms titles. UK has 7 NCAA titles, 2 NIT titles, and 2 Helms titles.
Further, Kentucky is the only school to be in the top-10 in victories in each full decade since the 1930’s (1930’s- 2000’s). Kentucky is also the only school to be in the top-10 in winning percentage in each full decade since the 1930’s (1930’s- 2000’s).
Other facts:
Kentucky is the only school to win NCAA Championshps under 4 coaches. UK is also the only school to finish ranked #1 in both polls under 4 coaches.
Kentucky has only one losing season since 1926-27 (80 seasons).
Kentucky has led the nation in attendance a NCAA record 20 times, including 12 out of the last 13 seasons.
By {Pete Burke
December 23, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
Mark, I used to think your college basketball columns were insightful. Your comments about the state of UK basketball and Coach Gillispie dispel any notion I had about your insight. Coach Gillispie inherited a program that was in serious decline under Tubby Smith. While Smith is a good man and a very good bench coach, his unwillingness to make changes in his coaching staff(deemed the worst in the SEC) and his dislike for recruiting caused the decline in the UK program. Tubby’s penchent for 10 loss seasons earned him the nickname ” 10 Loss Tubby” among the Big Blue faithful. He saw the handwriting on the wall( the state of teh program) and left for the frozen tundra of MN before he was forced to leave UK. Gillispie is replenishing UK’s talent, but it will take 2 more recruiting classes to reach the talent level required to once again be among the nationally elite programs. Absent of injuries (unlike last year), this year’s squad will challenge for the SEC Championship and make serious noise in the NCAA. I’ll bet coaches will hope they don’t draw UK in their bracket during the early rounds of the NCAA Tournement. Within two years you will have to eat your words about UK’s relevancy as we regain our position as an elite program. The cleansing of the Tub(bby) will be complete.
By $134tim
December 23, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this
Watch us prove you wrong, again. You’re out of touch, watch and learn. Go Cats!
By Phil
December 23, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
Matt, your barely worth the piece of paper I wipe my sh!tty a$$ with.
By Andy Burton
December 23, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this
Mark Bradley is barely worth the comment. You are a piece of Trash and you probably got run out or got your A$$ kicked out of Lexington. You have no clue about UK basketball, all you know is if you talk Sh!t about UK, then someone will read your Sh!tty column. Go join ESPN and write about Puke and UNC
By Al Purnell here
December 23, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this
GO BIG BLUE!!! Kige Rocks!
By Coach G
December 23, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
Notice everyone, Mark is a tool who wishes he can write about UK ball. Nobody reads his puke. Stay in Hotlanta dawg.
By Chuck
December 23, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
Nice article about Kentucky. It shows what kind of person you are to be born and raised in a state then turn coat on the college you graduated from. I’m glad you’re gone, take care, bye bye now. Matt Jones burned your a*, come get some.
By Rakk87
December 23, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
You are so out of touch….how could you have ever even lived in Ky..less graduated from UK..????…I find that very unlikely..there is no way anyone that ever called themselves a KYian would write such crap…..good luck sucking on that t** when UK is again atop the college Basketball world…….
By J
December 23, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
Mark,
What has brought on this degree of resentment toward your alma mater? Did lack of acceptance in Lexington leave such a terrible taste in your mouth. Your comments remind me of the nerdy new kids who would move into a school and constantly berate their previous hometown, when it was obvious those remarks reflected their own insecurities about their standing at that location. By speaking poorly regarding their other town, they hoped that they might be considered “cool”. However, the people of Atlanta see through that just like we could in elementary school. Hopefully, this holiday season you can gain peace within yourself and some confidence that will free you from that heavy chip on your shoulder.
By Greg
December 23, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
Jealously sucks, does it not? Are you too blind to see that you are seething with jealousy every time you write about Kentucky basketball? It’s pretty obvious you got run out of town in Lexington….hahaha
By Kraut
December 23, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this
Mark…Your gay
By KillerCAT
December 23, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
Hey Bradly, your a douche. eat a bag of glass you talking f’ stick. aparently you dont know a g-dam thing about uk basketball. so lets keep away for good this time k? thanks
By Chris
December 23, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bradley,
My guess is that you were either fired or asked to leave the Lexington Herald. After reading a few of your posts, i can see it. Any college basketball journalist would love to be in basketball country reporting where people actully read what you write. Whether that be North Carolina, Kentucky, or Kansas. Welcome to irrelevance Mr. Bradley. I am ashamed to admit that such a bad journalist graduated from UK. Damn, you try and weed out the worthless in society, but some slip through the cracks, its unfortunate. I truly feel sorry for the people of Atlanta.
By CAT FAN
December 23, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
Mark, I hope you get fired and then are forced to live out of your car. You are an idiot…I bet your a Tech fan aren’t you.
By AJC Hater
December 23, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
Mark…face it your going bald. Maybe your hair wouldn’t fall out if you didn’t talk aout your a$$ about UK ball. Best team with the best fans in the nation. Admit it.
By JRCat
December 23, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
Mark,
You mention Kentucky Basketball because it delivers hits and in your little “blog-world” that is what determines success, traffic. It is easy to point out the negativity that you choose because to do so one needs no knowledge on the matter. All UK fans know more about their team and college basketball than you ever will so you are left to make snide comments because we would not read otherwise. Despite your time in Lexington you seem to have failed yourself for not learning more about college basketball during your time. If you did, you would understand that our fans, while extremely passionate, are some of the best fans in the land.
Oh, and Mark, your blog is barely worth commenting on…but like you, I did it too;)
By Navigator
December 23, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this
For the Tubby apologist, read my comments, I said Tubby won the National Championship with Pitino’s recruits (fact), and I also said Tubby was a good coach. His problems there (last three years) was that he couldn’t get the top recruits, and that’s a fact. The proof is that Tubby never came close to getting back to the championship with his recruits, and folks that’s as factual as you can get.
By Julie
December 23, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this
Bradley - you are just a doofus and how dare you + you aren’t very smart - the regular folks know more about Tubby than you ever will. I’m glad he’s gone. GO BLUE!
By Brandt
December 23, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
Kentucky a program barely worth mentioning? The all time winningest program in college basketball? Does Atlanta have basketball? What an idiotic statement.
By Justin
December 23, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
Wow Mark, you must have been below your quota for monthly comments. That’s the only reason any journalist (and I use that term loosely) decides to say anything bad about Kentucky Basketball. Your statement did not warrant mentioning because it was obviously an opinionated personal statement and was not relevant at all to what you were reporting, which was a very note-worthy performance by Jodie Meeks. Guess you were just needing a boost in blog views before they pulled the plug on your awful awful writing.
By mark's grandma
December 23, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
As Mark Bradley’s grandma, I feel I must explain something to all the UK fans out there.
You see, Mark was picked on terribly by the UK basketball players when he was attending the school. They called him “no-nuts,” “pee-pants,” “gender bender,” and many other horrible names. He has never gotten over it and tries to get back at them by writing gibberish about the team. Forgive him. He doesn’t mean it, really. Otherwise, how could he spew such nonsense?
By mark's grandma
December 23, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
As Mark Bradley’s grandma, I feel I must explain something to all the UK fans out there.
You see, Mark was picked on terribly by the UK basketball players when he was attending the school. They called him “no-nuts,” “pee-pants,” “gender bender,” and many other horrible names. He has never gotten over it and tries to get back at them by writing gibberish about the team. Forgive him. He doesn’t mean it, really. Otherwise, how could he spew such nonsense?
By mark's grandma
December 23, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
As Mark Bradley’s grandma, I feel I must explain something to all the UK fans out there.
You see, Mark was picked on terribly by the UK basketball players when he was attending the school. They called him “no-nuts,” “pee-pants,” “gender bender,” and many other horrible names. He has never gotten over it and tries to get back at them by writing gibberish about the team. Forgive him. He doesn’t mean it, really. Otherwise, how could he spew such nonsense?
By Mark Bradley is getting owned
December 23, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bradley,
You better get ready for the mass emails and complaints to your editors. Businesses that advertise in the AJC will most likely be contacted and asked to protest your employment here…..you can’t be anything other than a hack if you can have the audacity to make those claims about UK on an internet blog…do you not know the power of the UK fanbase on the internet??? Get ready to polish that resume. You are officially on notice…How can someone who used to be from the state have such animosity….do you really think anyone in ATL other than UK fans care about your personal vandetta against us….I understand you couldn’t cut it as a real sports journalist covering a real college team, but come on man, you have just awoken an angry swarm of Blue….my advice, don’t show up at the SEC tourny, because we won’t forget, and you will just get put in your place again by a lawyer/blogger who has much more credibility among the media (national and regional) than you ever will…Goodluck Sir Deuche
By Fred Smith
December 23, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
I, too, worked at the Herald-Leader back in the day. I cannot say that I remember you. I was there only a short period of time in 1988-1989, but maybe that was during the time you were interning for Jerry Tipton? I was also an intern, but you were obviously superior to me in talent since you have moved on to have YOUR OWN BLOG. Wow, man. You’ve hit it big. I can say that I read your stuff today and it’s also barely worth mentioning. You know, I thought reporters were supposed to be unbiased and all of that, and I guess since this is YOUR BLOG you can spout off opinions and such. But I find you just a regular ordinary douche bag like most UK haters. Thanks and I hope you have a lousy holiday season. I really do.
By Steve Ryan
December 23, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
I continues to amuse me how many folks talk about how good a coach Tubby Smith is, but in the next breath talk about how UK has to reload to get back to greatness. Please advise us back in the bluegrass state how that adds up? For the record Coach Gillispie is well on the way to rebuilding if you haven’t noticed. Stick with covering teams you know. You won’t sound nearly as bitter.
Best Regards,
This UK Fan
By Aaron
December 23, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bradley-
You must have self-destructive tendencies. How can post this type of drivel and not expect to catch a pile of dung in your weasly, midget mouth. If UK is a program “barely worthy of comment” , then what is the entirety of the Atlanta sports scene worthy of? UK has 7 National titles. How many titles do the Hawks, Falcons, Braves, and Thrashers have combined?
You are a snotty little twerp who couldn’t cut in Lexington covering big-time sports. So, you packed up your kids’ size LL Bean suitcase and headed for the crap, crap, crappiest sports town in the good old USA. Hot-Lanta. Congrats on again alientating yourself from the heritage you did not deserve to be born into.
Have a Happy holiday and don’t hurt your thumb hammering away in Santa’s workshop little guy.
By Jacob
December 23, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
Kentucky Basketball > any sports team affiliated with the ATL!
By Jim Kelly
December 23, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
I am not a Kentucky fan, in fact I follow the Big Ten mostly, but I do spend much too much time reading about sports. I would like to point out that Tubby was not pushed aside, he quit. He did have many harsh critics but would have had at least one more year before any serious adjustments were made. Of course let him start losing as much at Minnesota and we will see how much hey like it. I should think someone covering sports for a living might notice the difference between firin and quitting.
By WildcatDJ
December 23, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
Problem: You’re a terrible journalist who nobody has ever heard and has no desire to know about, what do you do?
Answer: P** off one of the biggest and most loyal fan bases in all the land and watch them talk about your insignificant self.
I’ve always heard keep your friends close and your enemies closer (at least that’s the way my friends are, they all hate me). Is this why you came to The University of Kentucky yourself?
By Cameron
December 23, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
Mark,
You need to get off Tubby’s jock b/c he just didn’t get it done the last couple years he was at UK. How this isn’t obvious to you is beyond remarkable but then again, you write for the AJC. Gillispie has brought back some of the fire of old and he’s not even done with his second year. Forget it, you obviously don’t watch games anymore. Enjoy life being suffocated by the lining of your a*.
By teedoff
December 23, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
first of all, flubby smiff left on his own. he would not have been fired. he couldn’t handle the recruiting and if finally caught up with him at U of K. second, you may have gone to school at U of K, but obviously you weren’t well liked and have to get back at your school by using negative trash writing. learn the facts before you commit it to writing and just know that you will have to write about U of K in the future because of our success and not your own defeat!!
By Paul
December 23, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
Your an idiot. I personaly wish you and your family the worst Christmas ever. Dont ever come back to Kentucky. We dont need you and dont want you. You would fit right in with the people at the Herald Leader. The curse of the big blue nation is now upon you. Good luck and I hope you loose your job.
By Paul
December 23, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this
Your an idiot. I personaly wish you and your family the worst Christmas ever. Dont ever come back to Kentucky. We dont need you and dont want you. You would fit right in with the people at the Herald Leader. The curse of the big blue nation is now upon you. Good luck and I hope you loose your job.
By Amon
December 23, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
Hahahaha, “kentucky is not worth mentioning, so, I guess Ill mention them.” Thank god you found your home in Atlanta and I promise, no one will mind if you decide to move to Golden Gofer Island to kick it with Tubby. Or better yet, take up residence in Loserville so you can witness a @$$ kickin every year from Billy G and company. You sickin my stomach to even mention your connectionsd to UK or Lexington and I hope all the bad things in life happen to you, and only you. Merry X-mas you pathetic waste of human life. :)
By Julia
December 23, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
Mark, would you and all the other “experts” on College basketball quit playing the crying game for Tubby. He left on his own, without even talking to his players. The guy was on a plane before anyone could even talk to him about staying.
I couldn’t be happier about Billy G and the fact that you and other sportswriters can’t stand him makes it even better.
Julia
By DJ
December 23, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this
Mark, you say Kentucky isn’t a team worth a comment. I guess we’ll see when Kentucky wins the SEC this season and makes some noise in the NCAA tournament.
I find it funny whenever I read a jealous article about Kentucky, people are relishing the fact that we’re a little bit down. This season we are 9-3 while being very young and are improving every game. last season was our supposedly horrible season and yet we still go 12-4 in the SEC and knock of the #1 team in Tennessee… I’m sorry to tell you but Tubby wouldn’t have taken last years team to the tourney, heck Crawford turned into an All SEC player with Gillispie, while with Tubby he was ready to book his flight back home… Mr. Bradley you are the one not worth mentioning, it’s hilarious how many terrible “reporters” there are in this day and time. Oh the joy of the internet, where anyone can voice their opinion and act like a “sports reporter”. Thank you, I’m finished!
By Jarrod
December 23, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bradley you have to be the dumbest sports writer in America. This is the first thing I’ve ever read that you have written and it will be my last. Anybody that says the University of Kentucky basketball is “barely worth of comment” is a dumbass. You’re a pathetic excuse for a sports writer.
By Your Daddy
December 23, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
You are an idiot. Nice way to belittle your own school! You are gay and couldnt hack it working at the LHL. People like you cant find anything else better to do so you have to write about UK basketball. Jealousy is all I can figure it to be. So go home and put in your gay Porn movie Mr Bradley and stop by the porn store and buy yourself that big double headed dong you have always wanted and stick it up your rear right where you like it. Fruity freak queer
By Bill
December 23, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this
I saw this article, and was interested to see the author (MARK BRADLEY) describe how UK’s coach was being overmatched. Interesting to note Mark, since you have not written anything about UK basketball in over a year, I am suprised you did not mention the fact that Gillispie was co-coach of the year his first season. Overmatched? Maybe you are referring to the current season where the University of Kentucky has played a significantly tougher schedule, as opposed to the Golden Golphers who have played Virginia and Louisville, while Kentucky has faced Kansas State, West Virginia and the #1 North Carolina. There is only one reason why Tubby Smith was forced out by the University of Kentucky….. the players he was bringing in. Yes, he did bring in 3 McDonald’s All-Americans one year, but his recruiting was not consistent. Every three or four years, he would bring in the likes of Tayshaun Prince, Keith Bogans, Chuck Hayes, Azubuike but then have “role” players that would probably never see the light of day on the benches of North Carolina or even Duke. (I.E. his fascination with seven footers and a guard that was all district in West Virginia named Adam Williams). These roll players were starting to fill up the entire basketball team, and thus lead Kentucky Fans to become very skeptical of his recruiting efforts…. not his coaching. With all this being said, even though Gillispie has had some questionable losses to opponents like VMI, he is REBUILDING the University of Kentucky basketball program.(Which i think should be “worth of comment”) Not many people understand that, or try to even accept that fact. Hopefully writers like Mr. Bradley and other basketball fans outside Kentucky see that as well.
By Paul
December 23, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
Your an idiot. I personaly wish you and your family the worst Christmas ever. Dont ever come back to Kentucky. We dont need you and dont want you. You would fit right in with the people at the Herald Leader. The curse of the big blue nation is now upon you. Good luck and I hope you loose your job.
By John
December 23, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
How can a Kentucky native write such garbage, first of all, while I am happy and impressed with Orlando Tubby Smith’s success at Minnesota, it was he, not Billy G who is responsible for the so called ” barely worthy of comment” status. Why do you think he left UK, because he knew he had little talent to work with. In my opinion Mark, this absurd, semi well written blog is just evidence of your extreme jealousy of Matt Jones who writes for KSR. Secondly, the city of Atlanta was to much going on right now in the world of sports for you to blog about UK, shouldn’t the Hawks, Falcons, and Georgia Tech football keep you occupied… Well apparently not.
By Sue
December 23, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
And there you go again, talking about something you know absolutely nothing about. KY Basketball and their coaches! Do a little research on Ky basketball the last few years the former coach was there before printing something off the top of your head.
By not your friend
December 23, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this
Do us all a favor, walk into your boss’s office, cry about how everyone hates your column and take up another profession that you might actually know half a rat’s @ss about. Chances are no one will feel sorry for you and you will turn into an unemployed drunk who only has his friend Jack to talk to. Kentucky basketball is worth more comment in one day than you and all your editors at the Atlanta Journal-S** will ever be in your entire lifetime. Go home and regret writing those words as your wife and family leave you for someone with a third of a brain
By Paducah1964
December 23, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this
C’mon Kentucky…Defend the program-don’t spew hate and ignorance. He got what he expected and hoped for. Coaches, players, and yes,overzealous fans will come and go, but the Big Blue will never be irrelevant because our fan’s passion and player’s talent are the gifts that keep on giving. Merry Xmas and GO BIG BLUE!
By J
December 23, 2008 7:29 PM | Link to this
Mark,
If Santa feels compelled to leave you something, I hope its a big steaming dump in your stocking.
Next year, you should ask for some talent at your craft, because you’re really quite awful at it. Barely worth mentioning? Get real.
Sincerely,
A big blue fan in Bell County, KY
By the rhino74
December 23, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this
dude, you are such a dork. i remember you from mr. johnsons pe class. you were that scrawny dude that couldn’t do a single push up and everyone laughed at you. i remember you never came back the next day. i guess you ran with your tail between your legs to catlanta. don’t hold that against us. we were just teasing you.
By BlueBoy
December 23, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
You sir are not fitting to say you came from the University Of Kentucky….Anyone with knowledge of UK Basketball(which you don’t) know that Tubby Smith took a program on top of the College Basketball world, drove it to the edge of a cliff and the jumped off..not man enough to take responsiblity for what he did…This is a man asked to change assistants..but said no because he was loyal to them…why didn’t your buddy Tubby take them to Minnesota?? Tubby Smith is the reason the UK Basketball program is in rebuild mode…and if it is not worth mention as you say…which is BS…that falls to your man Tubby not Billy Clyde…you should give back your diploma you are not worth of being an alum of UK…go visit Tubby since you love him so much.
By stmitch
December 23, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this
Mark…i just got dummer from reading your article.
By DevilDogg
December 24, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this
Keep running your mouth and your going get Matt Jones’d all again
By Linda
December 24, 2008 12:08 AM | Link to this
I am a Kentucky fan. I would comment, however your writing is not “barely worthy of comment”, it isn’t worthy of any comment at all. Go Cats!
By intellibird
December 24, 2008 1:05 AM | Link to this
There is only one “Big Blue” - Carolina Blue! Go Tarheels!
By stizzack
December 24, 2008 5:54 AM | Link to this
Your a joke…just like Tubby Smith! UK basketball is on the rise and thank god it doesnt have the slow pace, terrible recruiting, and boring a* basketball here anymore….Go Billy G!!!!
By stizzack
December 24, 2008 5:54 AM | Link to this
Your a joke…just like Tubby Smith! UK basketball is on the rise and thank god it doesnt have the slow pace, terrible recruiting, and boring a* basketball here anymore….Go Billy G!!!!
By Mark Bradley
December 24, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this
Is an idiot. The same talking heads were spewing the same crap last year and Minnesota didn’t even make the tournament. We are perfectly content with Billy G, and most of us wish Tubby the best. It’s the idiots like Bradley who want to continually talk about something they know nothing about. Smith took our program from the top and left it desolate. Dems da facts, but I still wish the man nothing but the best. No wonder newspapers are dying with people who write about stuff they can’t fathom.
By azcat225
December 24, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this
Amazing how thin-skinned KY fans obviously are. At this point in time, the KY program is barely worth a mention, just like my alma mater, the Univ of Arizona. Programs ebb and flow, even the great ones, and right now you in ebb mode. I know this might be a difficult concept for most of you mouth-breathing Kentuckians to absorb, but past history means nothing this season.
You’re as bad as Georgia football fans and that is saying something…
Mark, can you start a new blog so the rest of us can move on?
By Julie
December 24, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
Could someone give us the scoop on the Matt Jones incident?
By Blue Haze
December 24, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
Mark,
We (Kentucky fans) would really be insulted if we thought you knew anything about basketball … As it is, stop mentioning anything about basketball (or maybe sports in general) and showing your ignorance. Just supply the links …
By malone prediction agency
December 24, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
Mark, you’re showing your TRUE colors… with a stripe right up your back.
By Aaron
December 24, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this
I don’t understand the point of this article. For someone who obviously dislikes UK, why would waste an entire article or hours of your life to write this? If you’re blog is doing so bad that you’re forced to write inflammatory comments about UK to get more hits, then Ill gladly come and give you one more web hit out of pity.
PS you look like a DBag.
Merry Christmas!
By Mark Bradley sux
December 24, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this
AZCat225…..it’s not that we are thin skinned since we are used to getting slammed by uninformed media pundits on ESPN and Fox Sports all the time…..in this case we have a guy born in our state, attended the University, wrote for our local paper, endorsed a cheating Coach(Sutton) and spoke out against hiring the new coach (Pitino) and then looked like a total idiot….so he came to ATL and now writes this crap…….we are letting someone who used to be one of our own understand they are no longer welcome in our state……..why was the bashing of UK neccessary to lead into giving Meeks a nod….truth is his agenda is crystal clear
The Matt Jones story goes that he and Bradley got into an argument at the SEC tournament a couple years ago about UK fans…Bradley was spewing uninformed drivel, probably racial allegations, and Jones gave him the business(he is a Lawyer)..most other media guys said they had never seen Bradley so worked up….so Jones owned him with actual facts and well informed opinions….and Bradley looked a fool, much like he does now
By Mark Bradley sux
December 24, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this
AZCat225…..it’s not that we are thin skinned since we are used to getting slammed by uninformed media pundits on ESPN and Fox Sports all the time…..in this case we have a guy born in our state, attended the University, wrote for our local paper, endorsed a cheating Coach(Sutton) and spoke out against hiring the new coach (Pitino) and then looked like a total idiot….so he came to ATL and now writes this crap…….we are letting someone who used to be one of our own understand they are no longer welcome in our state……..why was the bashing of UK neccessary to lead into giving Meeks a nod….truth is his agenda is crystal clear
The Matt Jones story goes that he and Bradley got into an argument at the SEC tournament a couple years ago about UK fans…Bradley was spewing uninformed drivel, probably racial allegations, and Jones gave him the business(he is a Lawyer)..most other media guys said they had never seen Bradley so worked up….so Jones owned him with actual facts and well informed opinions….and Bradley looked a fool, much like he does now
By BigBlue21
December 24, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this
Mark you are a dumbass.. Billy G is not over matched.. It takes time to get your system in. Look at ucla, florida, and texas coach. Look at there first few yrs. Tubby didnt recruit the kind of players you win championships with. He recruits good guys who will win 20 games a yr and stay all four yrs. Thats good for teams like uga or minn but no the likes of duke, unc, kansas, or kentucky. In the games against gard. webb and vmi he was making a point to his new players that it is his way or you can go somewhere else. Uk was a mess in the making before billy game. You gotta give someone 3-4 yrs to get his players and his system in. Kentucky will return to being one of the best again.
By Chad
December 25, 2008 3:45 AM | Link to this
Mark-
I’d like to start off by saying that in no way, shape, or form am I a fan of Kentucky basketball. Simply put, I’m a fan of the Southeastern Conference and NCAA basketball in general.
Your comment about Kentucky basketball may have been the most ridiculous thing I have ever read in my years of following college hoops. You’re talking about a team that will more than likely run through the west and repeat last year’s performance in conference. It’s no secret the SEC is way down this year, which is why Kentucky is my front-runner to win conference… but for you to write that UK is a program barely worthy of comment not only baffles me, but makes me question your knowledge of this sport and your integrity as a writer. Patterson and Meeks may go down as one of the greatest tandems to ever walk the court in the SEC, especially if Patterson returns and they play together for another season. Let me assure you that if this tandem does return, BCG will bring a championship back to Lexington. It’s obvious you’re oblivious to the recruiting trail, as Kentucky has Orton and Hood on the doorstep for next year. These two sprinkled in with what may be returning next year spells championship in my humbled opinion. I know what the nucleus of a championship team looks like, and UK will definitely have all the ingredients. This will be the first and last time I ever check back to this blog, as I can’t believe I even wasted my time on f’n Christmas to vent towards you. Just goes to show how completely off you are..
Merry X-MAS
By GillispieEra
December 25, 2008 7:08 PM | Link to this
What are you going to do when Gillispie and the Cats beat UL in louisville, and thrashes the SEC???
By brian
December 25, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this
WOW MARK,
I would have thought you be somewhat intelligent having a UK degree. But you go and write something as idiotic as you. Tubby left to improve his career, you left due to being to boring and useless to all the main outlets here.
Son, Please stick with gardening or cooking, as you have no knowledge of basketball.
Signed,
Kentucky Basketball
By Knottcobred
December 26, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
Dumb take on Tubby and UK basketball
Dumber take on Billy Clyde
Take a look at the average rankings for each decade for the Wildcats. The 2000’s have the wildcats barely in the top 20. Every other decade has the Wildcats in the top 5, average wise.
There is a reason, why you and writers in the national arena feel UK is barely worthy of mentioning. It is not due to Billy Clyde, but mostly due to your buddy Tubby.
Keep an open mind, in regards to how you provide for your family, because the current method you have chosen, doesn’t look like a long term viable option to me.
By Happy Cat
December 26, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
As a UK fan and alumnus, I am happy for Tubby Smith. He ran the program with class and integrity but also oversaw a gradual decline in recruiting and results. From the looks of things, Tubby needed a fresh start, a fresh start that was HIS decision. Tubby’s decision to leave UK was not made by the fans or administration, the media wants to forget or manipulate this fact. Wasn’t it Steve Spurrier that said, “10 years anywhere as a head coach is too long”? The future is bright at Minnesota. I will cheer for Tubby anytime he is not playing UK.
Billy Gillispie took a few scraps from Tubby and turned it into a team that went 12-4 in the SEC and made the NCAA tournament last year. It was a rough start, Jodie Meeks missed most of the season, Derrick Jasper was hurt, Patrick Patterson missed the final month due to injury. He took Joe Crawford, a highly recruited guard that Tubby nearly ran off, and turned him into the leading scorer and a free agent pick for the LA Lakers. Gillispie landed star recruit Patrick Patterson in 3 weeks, something Tubby was unable to accomplish in 2 years.
This year has already had some disappointing losses but the signs of improvement are there. Molding a team without a true point guard, a lone senior that warms the bench, an assortment of junior college transfers and freshman vying for starting positions is going to be an issue anywhere.
The future is bright at UK, it will take a few years to rebuild and establish UK as a national power. It took several years of deterioration to lead to this point.
I always found it funny that the same media that praised Tubby Smith also took shots at the poor recruiting and poor NCAA results at UK. Who’s fault was that? The fans? I’m sorry media (Mark Bradley, Dick Vitale, Billy Packer, et al) but you can’t have it both ways.
By Greenwell
December 26, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this
I just discovered that this nitwit was fired from the Cats Pause; hence, his negative sentiment toward his home state and alma mater.
By jo blo
December 27, 2008 12:27 AM | Link to this
ur a piece of s**
By Where are you Mr. Bradley
December 27, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
I love how Mark Bradley never had the stones to respond to any of this….shows he has no ability to debate his opinions, he can just type whatever he wants onto a blog and let it ride……I hope the sports editors of this paper have noticed they employ a guy who spews nonsense and then can’t even attempt to defend himself……I would have at least a scrap of respect for you Mr. Bradley if you tried to explain you viewpoint, but I guess we are all 100% correct….you hate UK because of the way you were run off, so now you can only attack the program and the coach from a blog in Atlanta……once again, good luck if they let you attend the SEC tournament, but I doubt you will actually qualify as “media” to get a press pass