More ESPN Love?

Two ESPN.com articles were released today, one being the kick-off of Pat Forde's weekly "Forde Yard Dash," the other being a pre-season pseudo-tradition of Kirk Herbstreit's "Herbie Awards." In each the Tigers got some love. Starting with Forde's article, Howard's Rock was mentioned within the first paragraph as Pat was talking about college football traditions. He started by saying TGIF- Thank God it's Football and that the purgatory of non-football season is over (though this gnome loves a little baseball, I'll let him slide). Football is among other things "...caressing Howard's Rock in Death Valley." The number 5 in this weeks 40 faces, places, and things for those not familiar with the article. We were listed in with USC Song Girls, dotting the I in Ohio at O.S.U., and JoePa charging the field at P.S.U. Even managed to get mentioned before Adriana Lima the unofficial hot chic of The Dash. Though our fight song didn't get kudos, it didn't get ripped on like many. Neither did our out of conference schedule which could be quite laughable depending on which preseason rag you prefer to take credence in. Also, I give Pat kudos not just for making a Clemson mention in a form that indicates anyone worth a crap knows the Rock and Death Valley but he throws in Fat Tire as the quality beverage of choice for any tailgating involving the cooking of a meat product. I just recommend it. If anyone out there knows how to get this stuff east of the Mississippi River, let the gnomes know. We need this stuff in the southeast. As for Kirk’s article he covers everything from top five players at each position (with interior lines being a position) , to top current coaches, future coaching stars, best restaurants in frequented college locale’s, prettiest coeds, etc. If it is college football related, he probably has a top five or at least a comment. The following are categories in which the Tigers placed in some form or fashion, in reverse order of article listing. All Uniform Team: Players Who Just Look Good in Their Uniform: Defensive Team DE- Gaines Adams Prettiest Coeds: Honorable Mention (SEC Schools Won, no other school was ranked but we were lumped in with FSU, A-State and Texas) Top Future Coaches: 3 – Rob Spence (Current Offensive Coordinator) Best Defensive Minds: 3 – Vic Koenning (Current Defensive Coordinator) What’s My Name: Players who will be a household name by October: Rendrick Taylor – J-Back (or something like that, freak boy that I’m glad we have and they don’t) Top True Freshmen: CJ Spiller – Running Back Mark It Down (Predictions) ACC Atlantic Champs – comments – Bowden’s most talented team on both sides. What can Proctor do. Movin On Up Number 2 behind Arizona (they were in the complete cellar last year) Top Inside Linebackers 1 – Anthony Waters Top Defensive Ends: 1 – Gaines Adams Best Wide Receivers: 5 – Chansi Stuckey Between the two articles that’s a lot of kudos by a group that is typically somewhere between neutral and anti-Tiger. It kinda scares me honestly but I will take it. Like the other gnomes, I retain a touch of skepticism as I have seen the hype during the Dantzler years but I retain all the hope in the world. Here’s to hoping the players on the field come through and prove these rankings, the Rock is understood nationwide by the few that have been living under one in previous lives, the coaches show that wit, skill, and knowledge, and that we can get on the board as a top Gameday location and top student section if we can get the crew in town (ending the woo hoo would be a huge step forward with the later of those two). As for the co-eds, I have plenty of faith and am not worried about their upcoming performance.