There’s lots of blame to go around
June 22, 2018
Woman accused of stealing from an area church
June 25, 2018
Man, man, man — the dog days of summer are here.
With school out and all local college sports finished. this Managing Editor is grasping at straws to try and find stories that cut the mustard.
But never fear, I’ve been through the summer lull many times. And I know that while significant games may not be on the schedule right now, you guys are looking ahead to the future.
So we opened up the mail hag this week and will seek to give answers to some of those things floating around in your minds.
You guys were very interested in the upcoming football season, as well as the latest and greatest in the world of high school sports.
Let’s go!
Q: Yon were tough on LSU baseball. I love it! Much deserved. But is there even a email chance of changes being nude? (Asked by Jeff, Houma)
A: Changes in terms of what? I don’t think Paul Mainieri is on the hot seat if that’s what you’re asking. Joe Alleva is on the hot seat far more than any LSU coach is right now and he wouldn’t fire a guy who has had success. But do I think fans are starting to latch onto our way of thinking and will apply a little more pressure on the team to perform at a consistently higher level? Sure. I do. I got 19 emails about that column and 17 were pro-column and just two were pra-LSU. Two Final Four bids in 12 years is not acceptable and I think when fens looked at the numbers objectively, they agreed.
Q: Who will win more games in 2018 — LSD or Nicholls? (Asked by Torn, Houma)
A: This is a good question and a tough one to answer. LSU will obviously have the better more talented team, but they also will face the better, more talented schedule In addition to the SEC West grind. LSU will face Miami, Georgia and Florida — just one of those games played at Tiger Stadium. Their schedule is being ranked as one of the most difficult in the country and one of the most difficult in the pest decade with in the SEC. A peak at Nicholls’ schedule shows a much more favorable ride. Nicholls’ money game is at Kansas arid that’s actually a winnable matchup. They host their biggest conference nemesis. Sam Houston State, and have a huge group bade from a playoff team. Nicholls plays one fewer game, which hurts, but I go with the Colonels nonetheless.
Q: Just how big of a blow will Andrew Robison transferring be to VCHS? (Asked by Mark. Houma)
A: It’s a huge blow. High school football isn’t like college football Unless you’re John Curtis or Evangel, you don’t just stockpile three and four-star recruits at every, single position to have All-World depth. So when a player like that leaves a program, it’s a big hit. But Vandebilt is very well-coached and they have a lot of ‘skill players back from last year’s play off team. I think they’ll still be very, very competent next yeas but I think the hopes of a deep playoff run may have just been flushed, unfortunately.
Q: Where will LeBron James land? (Asked by David, Lockport)
A: This is the $33,000 question, isn’t it? I believe that the Cleveland Cavaliers are out barring something drastic happening between now and July 1 Let’s start there. So if you look at the top teams chasing LeBron. we have the Houston Rockets. Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ere. I think the 76ers are not a real threat Ben Simmons is useless without the ball, so adding LeBron doesn’t help him, Combine that with the general manager saga and I think they’re out The Lakers are interesting, but there are a lot of what its that come with them. Can they add Paul George? Can they trade far Kawhi Leonard? Can they make themselves enough of an attractive destination to attract a man who is closer to his mid-308 than he is to age 30? That remains to be Been. The Rockets are the most title-ready fit bat there are reports that he’s not enamored with the dry of Houston. My safe money is on the Lakers, but I think the Rockets may end up having the most appealing package. Time will tell.
Q: Why don’t more colleges look fir local talent? This area is loaded, man. You know it ill (Asked by Dee. Houma)
A: OK, Dee, so here is what is about to happen, I am about to rant about something and I want you to know that even though it seems like I am barking at your question, I promise I am not Bat the idea that local colleges “sleep” on kids from here is absolutely, positively insane-If you can play, they’re going to find you — especially in today’s day and age where everyone has a highlight reel an HUDL and there are video clips abundant all over the internet The problem that no one wants to talk about is that for every Dl signee we have, there are 10 more who sign JUCO because their grades aren’t good enough to go Dl. And for every 10 JUCO signees we have, there are 30 more who are good enough to play JUCO or Dl. but who dont even have the grades to go to the next level at all Colleens are not discriminating against Houma. If you feel that a player you like isn’t getting enough attention, ask him/her about their GPA and ACT score. The answer likely lies there as to why there’s not more attention.
Q: Why doesn’t Terrebonne Parish have plans to get the turf like Lafourche? (Asked by Reed, Houma)
A: Honest answer: I have no clue, because they need it more than Lafourche does. South Terrebonne’s field is often in deplorable condition by the end of the season and there’s just nothing those guys can do to protect the grass against the workload the field faces each year. The price tag is expensive and I’m not trying to tell anyone how to spend their own money, but I think where there’s a will, there’s often a way. Ira time that school board gets more committed to player safety and less committed to smoothing over chatter about players transferring across-town, while still maintaining their immediate eligibility.
Q: How is Justin Williams doing? Any chance of an MLB call-up this summer? (Asked by Joe, Houma)
A: He’s doing fine, man. As of Saturday, Williams was hitting .243 with 7 home runs and 25 RBI for Triple A Durham Bolls — the last step before being in the Major Leagues. I trunk the Rays would like to see Williams get on base a little bit more and perhaps strikeout a little bit less. He has 53 K’s in his first 53 games, compared to just 16 walks. But if he can get that average up in the .2708. there’s surely an outside shot that he gets the call-up to the bigs. I also wouldn’t rule out him being part of a deal at the trade deadline if the Rays decide to buy. though that’s not likely.
Q: Give roe a record for tie Saints in 2018-19. (Asked by Chuck. Houma)
A: Hard schedule. HI go 10-6. Anything more than that is asking an awful lot.
Former Vanderbilt quarterback Andrew Robison waits for a snap during a game last season. Robison transferred to Hahnville this offseason and a reader asked us in this week’s mailbag about how big of an impact his departure will have on the Terriers. Send your questions to casey@rushing-media.com.
