Antonio Tarver Interview

Tarver is Mason "the line" Dixon in the new Rocky movie. He was on the show on Monday. Here it is... http://www.zshare.net/audio/antoniotarver-mp3.html

Just for you Geoff...

Couple of thoughts from last night...

I don't know what Mike Fratello says to the team before they come out, but I know it is terrible. Worst pre-game speech coach of all-time. He has to be. They can't even get to 20 in the first qtr.

It was only 2 minutes into his debut that Pau checked for blood. Hilarious. Of course I had several people mention this to me because they know how I love the toughness that Gasol exudes. 2 minutes in? Come on. I have not seen one other player in the league check for blood this year. 2 minutes. Battier had it all over his face, like a horror movie, and had to have someone bring it to his attention last year. 2 minutes. Also, good to see Gasol sold the Grizzlies 3 extra tickets for the game. Memphis was excited to get their paper all-star back. Max players are box office. And by the way, someone brought up Garnett yesterday... he sells you tickets.

Friday Incredible Brain

Tonight following the show from 6-6:30 stay tuned for the first Grizzly pre-game we will be doing on weeknight home games. Chris Herrington from the Flyer, who you hear on the show and is the leader in Grizz analytical insight and out-of-the-box thinking about the Grizzlies, will be my co-host.. BB Kings on Beale is the title sponsor and I encourage you to support them and the show by making it your stop before or after the games. I love BB Kings, it is Memphis, and could not be happier with having them on board.

Calkins predictably wrote about how great Pau is with Gasol's return coming in the next few games. Here is one of the quotes... "Consider the flotsam Gasol has had as teammates. Can you think of any really good, close-to-All-Star-level players he's had the opportunity to play with during his six years in the league?
Tim Duncan has Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli. Amare Stoudemire has Steve Nash and Shawn Marion. "

I have addressed this point of view a hundred times. Pau is not Tim Duncan, Pau is not Amare Stoudemire. He's not Steve Nash. The fact of the matter is this... it is more about those particular players than the players around them. All of the sudden, if Duncan was in the place of Pau, Miller would be awesome, and the other players all seem better. I will never understand how that is hard to understand. Superstars make the other guys better. I have no idea why it is always about who else is on the team. To constantly throw Pau in a category of a bonafide superstar like Duncan or Nash does a disservice to Pau and the players he has played with. He's not and will never be that guy. An offense that runs around Pau cannot win a playoff game. You think Tony Parker as a rookie wins more because of Parker, or could it be that he is on the team with Duncan? It is so absurd, yet professed as a fair point of view. But then again, there has never been a negative word written about Gasol in this town.... ever. When Pujols goes 0-5 in big spots, even in an incredibly easy media town like St. Louis, everyone doesn't blame the other players in the line-up. They put Pujols on the spot. Why? Because he is the guy. Gasol will never know how great he has it here media-wise until he goes to another city. And again, this team was built with Pau in mind, so when you lose him, you are gonna be awful. When the Grizzlies were good without Gasol in the past, the team was not built around him. And guess what... those "average" players won at a higher clip when he was out. How was that possible?

Thoughts...

Yao is the best center in the NBA, and it is not close right now.

Alex Smith is much, much better than I thought he would be.

I like when Joey Porter talks crazy. Especially about a guy like Kellen Winslow.

How many games are the Sixers gonna lose before they get a deal done for A.I.?

If the Davis group bid does not go down, will Heisley keep the Logo's hands tied?

I saw a story saying Jeff Bagwell was retiring. I thought he already had.

Holler.

Jerry West blows up at Mike Fratello

very, very interesting... here is the link if you want to read for yourself

Jerry West and Mike Fratello blow up on each other
Posted by Frank Hughes

The buzz in the Sonics' locker room before Wednesday's game vs. Chicago was an apparent blowup between Memphis Grizzlies GM Jerry West and coach Mike Fratello, who apparently got in each's other faces on Wednesday. West supposedly told Fratello that he needs to stop making excuses for the team losing. The Grizzlies are 5-16 and have the worst record in the league -- though, to their defense, they have played the entire season without Pau Gasol. Anyway, the players were saying that West never liked Fratello, and that he wanted to hire Eric Musselman all along, the reason West put Musselman on Fratello's staff before Musselman got hired by Sacramento. It was owner Michael Heisley who made the decision to hire Fratello. I don't have any insider knowledge, but to me that would seem to spell the beginning of the end for Fratello. There would seem to be no way he wins a power struggle with The Logo, although you have to wonder how the pending sale of the franchise factors into everything.

thanks to Mark for the link

more on this, etc. in the mornin

a big thanks to all of you that came out to Hooters on Wed.

verno

Today at Mt. Moriah Hooters

I've got the tix for Rocky Balboa. Eric Hasseltine will be out there with us. Make plans and come by from 3-6. It's the 2007 Hooters Calender signing from 5-7. Get there early if you can.
Teen Wolf would want you to.

Verno

SOUTHLAND MONDAY FROM 3-6.

As you may have heard, what was Southland Greyhound Park, has made about a bazillion dollars in upgrades and we are taking the show on the road there for Monday from 3-6 and then after for MNF.
I have possibly the greatest reason ever to come on, besides seeing the new Southland and the greatest radio show on earth.... I have passes for you to go to a sneak preview of the new Rocky movie before it comes out. Gary and I talked about this last week, and turns out, the powers that be were put in contact with us and made it happen. Come to Southland and get the passes, and we will have a bunch of other stuff to register for and win. Holler.

I mentioned the Rocky production folks getting with us for this. Big thanks to Johnny Betts, a Memphian, and his outstanding movie review site for regular people.... http://www.themoviemark.com/. Check out the site.

Come to Southland on Monday, sneak it in the schedule. Teen Wolf would want you to.

Jimmy Deunzio Segment

The world's greatest handicapper joins Gary and I every Friday. In this weeks installment, we finally talk to the mysterious Rusty. Here it is...

http://www.zshare.net/audio/jimmydenunzio12-8-06-mp3.html

BALLER

I have not seen anything like Chris Lofton's performance in a long time. That was a serious whoopin. Tennessee put it on Memphis something awful. I have said that I was looking forward to this game after every Tiger game so far (since Maui neutral court games) has looked like the Globetrotters vs. the Generals. Well, I saw it, and it was not pretty. They, like I said, have a lot of athleticism and not a lot of really "skilled" basketball players. When I say that I mean to say guys that really know how to play. Dorsey is 35 years old with still no clue. Tennessee could subdue the press and athleticism, and then had "that guy." The question of who will be the run stopper, and who will be "that guy" is still completely unanswered for Memphis. When that game was getting away, Hunt tried and he could not throw it in the ocean. There are only a few good games on the Tiger schedule, at least two of them have been embarrassing defeats so far. Chris Lofton= Baller.

Philanthropy (The Picks)

Verno's You Can Trust Me Ricky Peete No Losing Allowed Parlay
N-- Navy -20 over Army
L-- La Monroe +3 over La Laffayette
A-- Arkansas +3 over Florida

Verno's Reputation on the line, team with ancient city for name vs. awful team GAME OF THE YEAR!
Troy -10.5 over Fl Int

Gary's Claw Parlay
C-- Colorado St -4 over SDSU
L-- Louisville -24 over Uconn
A-- Air Force +17 over TCU
W-- West Virginia -8.5 over Rutgers

Gary's Since He can't bet against Memphis, the closest thing is betting against DeAngelo MNF
Philly +points over Carolina

Bert Sugar's Picks 68.5% this year on the show
Arkansas +3 over Florida
WVU -8.5 over Rutgers
Navy -20 vs Army
Oklahoma -3.5 over Nebraska
USC -13.5 over UCLA

Have a great weekend millionaires.

Bonus Pick.....

Lion Wins over the Bear in animal warfare.

The evidence continues to mount...

For all of you that have been on the grizzly bear side of the argument (including my own father, and I have gotten "you are so stupid" emails about), thanks to Listener Tim, we have this...
watch this "ferocious" Grizzly Bear get completely punked out. I am the smartest man.



Is that a big enough bear for you? And that isn't even a real lion punking him out. Submit to my incredible brain. I expect to be flooded with apologies. Put your snide comments up now.
Cougar Shows Bear - video powered by Metacafe

Still waiting on emailed apologies to read on show... More Feelings Through Art for now

We need to be clear on something...

We went back and checked the tape and the argument was generic bear vs. generic lion. That is exactly what we achieved in the video and the lion wins. Stop emailing and commenting otherwise. I am sorry that I am so intellectually superior to most of you and it is hard to accept, but it is clear that I have become the foremost authority on animal hand-to-hand combat in Memphis. Stop being stupid and submit to my incredible brain. All of you that do not agree with have been put in a mental casket and shall remain there until further notice.

If you care about who gets the Alabama job...

Loyal listener Gary has a blog that is tracking it ... http://memphistider.blogspot.com/

Lion vs. Bear

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Got a "Dashie Award"

It might as well be a damn Grammy to me...

The "DASHIE" Awards Pat Forde from ESPN.com writes:

Song Of The Year: The Memphis radio guy's "Coach O Song" (33), a tribute to the highbrow oratory of Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron. If you haven't heard it, find it. Anyone familiar with Orgeron's lingual skillz will die laughing.

Grizzlies news while I was gone, etc...

I read the article about the Brian Davis group and how they are going to (gasp) cut payroll and try to maintain a good product while not hemorrhaging money. It seems as Grizzlies fans are really scared about what this ownership group will do with the team. Count me as one that is not scared. The Grizzlies have had a stupid payroll for their last few years. The great teams in the NBA have reasonable payrolls, but they also have the ability to get FA's to sign at a reasonable price, which Memphis may never be able to do. There is no debating that it will be really hard to build a championship contender in Memphis. You have to either have a player that people think they can win a championship with, or play a style that will help them make more money in the future (think Toronto) to even have a chance.

It seems to me that everyone is disenchanted by the Davis group because of the articles written in the CA, yet we never hear from Davis. If I was him, I would talk. I know this... when guys don't talk to the media, they become targets to be portrayed however anyone that wants to talk about them wants them to be portrayed. That is what is happening with the Davis Group. I am withholding judgement until I hear from them. This idea that the local ownership should come in and save the day is a nice thought, but also worthy of questioning. What basketball acumen do any of them have? What makes anyone think that they would pay Jerry West and he would stay? The local owners come in on a white horse and save the city from the evil outsider trying to ruin and move the team, ahahhahahahahaha. I like the idea of an outsider, so I am rooting for the Davis group to work. Memphis has a problem with a small town mentality, and many always want to keep it that way. I could list 1000 examples, but I do not have time. Suffice to say that 7 years ago you could find anyone to tell you that the NBA would come to Memphis. Ever. I will update these thoughts as I hear more about the Davis group, and (novel idea) hear from them.

Peter Vescey said yesterday in his article that the Celtics were interested in acquiring Pau Gasol. Immediately everyone discredited Vescey by saying "he never gets anything right." Which is totally ridiculous. He puts out a ton of information and some is not right, but Peter Vescey is not Peter Vescey by consistently getting everything wrong. So anyway, the messenger was killed instead of dealing with the message. Here is the point... is Boston interested in Gasol... I absolutely believe that.

For the record, if I could get a great return on a trade for Pau, I would do it. The team is not going anywhere with him.

I would trade Miller for Maggette. Could Maggette score in May? We don't know about Maggette but we know Miller cannot.

Alabama better come up with a great hire this time.

I have long been in favor of adding one game to the end of the bowl season and have said it would provide a fantastic ending to the best regular season in sports. Now we would have Ohio St. vs. Florida, Michigan vs. USC and then one more game. Sounds perfect.

Mark McGwire is on the baseball HOF ballot but will never get in. It only takes 25% of the voters to keep a guy out. He never gets in.

Carlos Lee is comparable in stats to Chris Duncan. Carlos Lee just signed with the Astros for 100 Million. Lord help us all.

Listen to the show and your life will change.

Bert Sugar Picks

75 % THIS SEASON SO FAR ON THE SHOW

Boston College -4 over Miami (thurs)

Air Force -10.5 over UNLV (fri)

Ohio -3 over Miami Ohio (fri)

Ole Miss -3 over Miss St

N Carolina -7 over Duke

Philanthropy (The Picks)

Verno's Indian Involved Thanksgiving Parlay

Central Mich -15 over Buffalo
Ohio -3 over Miami Ohio
New Mexico -10 over SDSU

Mama Said don't mess with a good thing... HAWAIAN MASSACRE PART 4 (3-0 SO FAR)

HAWAII -17 OVER PURDUE (INFINITY STARS + A BILLION STARS + 1) aka. Tropical team in last game vs. team from Indiana GAME OF THE YEAR!

Gary's Gobble Parlay
G-- G Tech -1.5 over Georgia
O-- Ohio -3 over Miami Ohio
B-- Ball State -3 over Kent St
L-- Louisville -11 over Pitt

Gary's Happy Thanksgiving Utep Gold Miners Game of the Year!
Utep -11 over Memphis

BERT SUGAR PICKS TO COME...

RECE DAVIS= HERO

We have said it before, we will say it again, Rece Davis is our favorite ESPN personality. On College Football Final he gives us a huge subliminal shout-out just like he said he would on the show. Here are the Ole Miss/ LSU highlights where he references the song as many times as you can in one highlight. Rece Davis = Hero. Thanks to listener Hank for the recording.

http://www.zshare.net/audio/rece-davis-mp3.html

Philanthropy (The Picks)

Verno's Frank Thomas gettin paid Parlay

H-- Houston -16.5 over Memphis
U-- UL Lafayette -3.5 over Fl. Int (easiest pick on the board, incredibly simple pick)
R-- Rutgers -6.5 over Cincy
T-- TCU -17 over UNLV

Mama said don't mess up a good thing, with that in mind... The Tropical Team at home playing against a Team from Cali GAME OF THE YEAR (infinity to the third power stars)

Hawaii -25 over San Jose St

Gary Parrish One Year Plan Shawne Williams Parlay

O-- Oklahoma -20.5 over Baylor
Y-- Y-oming -9.5 over UNLV
P-- Purdue -12.5 over Indiana

Gary's Pay future Memphis Recruits Game of the year
Houston -16.5 over Memphis

Bert Sugar Picks

Yesterday, Bert joined us for the Weekly Cigar with Bert Sugar. These are his picks. (He is 73 % on the show this year) Rest of the picks will be up later today.

Mich +7 over Ohio St

USC -3.5 over Cal

Auburn -3 over Bama

Tenn -8.5 over Vandy

C Mich -3.5 over N. Illinois *Friday Night

Who said the Grizzlies can't play up-tempo?

Jerry West said the vets don't like to run. Mike Fratello said the team is too injured to run. I swear I saw a team run last night and had a real chance at winning, while being 5 times as entertaining as they had been all year. Truly amazing, I hope we have a trend on our hands.

Column in Baton Rogue about Colonel Reb is Crying

This week Ole Miss plays against LSU. The columnist for the Baton Rogue Advocate is Scott Rabalais, and he wrote his column about the song this morning.

Baton Rogue Advocate

New Arkansas Fight Song

Here is the song we played on the show today. Thanks to emailer Jason for the link.
http://allythigpen.com/woo2.swf

Here is a name for you...

So obviously getting ready for the show today I have put a lot of thought into what to do about the Head Coach position of the Memphis Grizzlies. Thus, all of the posts today.

In talking to people around the league, I have come to the conclusion that the guy that most everyone feels will be the first coach to be hired as a head coach, replacing a fired coach, will be Marc Iavaroni. I hope it is here. Funny that his bio sites him coaching with Fratello, but be not dismayed, Fratello coached with Hubie so that means very little.

Iavaroni is the lead assistant in Phoenix, and an excellent choice for any team attempting to create excitement.

This is what I hopes happens. Get rid of Fratello, let someone coach the team until the Dec. 1st deadline and you know what would happen with the impending sale... and then hire this guy. I would bet whoever owns the team, if they had any sense about them, would hire the guy that everyone else would too. He is the logical first hire. An up-and-coming coach for an up-and-coming team.

Contrary to what many would say, Memphis could and should run. It is what needs to happen. It hides a ton of weaknesses and they have the youth and depth to do it. You tell me what is better... having Lawrence Roberts running the lane finishing (which I am told he is excellent at), or having him post up and take a hook shot on Yao Ming?

Warrick, Gay, and Stro running down the court filling the lane. Lowry pushing the ball. Vets coming off the bench playing their 10-15 minutes. A rejuvenated Mike Miller.

I mentioned hiding weaknesses. Who saw Marion and Diaw play in the WBC? I will tell you that they did not look like Marion and Diaw in a half-court set.

Play like Phoenix.... Hire Marc Iavaroni before someone else snags him.

You heard it here.

In a perfect world... it's Jerry West coaching the Grizzlies

In my previous post I mentioned this, and here are some reasons why...

These are all his players. Outside of Pau, he has drafted ,or brought in, each of them.

Clean up the mess he made by not rolling the guy in the off-season.

Fans are immediately energized. People want to hear the interviews and pressers and it creates excitement.

Grizzlies become more relevant simply because the Logo is the coach.

There are no respect issues from the vets, or the young ones, or anyone for that matter.

He does have head coaching experience.

He has no worries of being fired.

Excitement, excitement, excitement. Even the fringe fan knows Jerry West.

I see only one problem, and that is that he hates losing. Unfortunately with this team, that is inevitable.

Jerry West for Grizz Coach.... One last hurrah. What would be a bigger bolt of energy for this team and franchise?

Someone will steal this and use it as their own idea I am sure. I figured I would mention that before you hear it as to humiliate the un-original. Hasseltine on from 3-4, should be fun.

Mike Fratello

Fans don't like him. The media does not like him. Players do not like playing for him. He is driving fans away from the arena. His style is to play slow. His style is to play vets.
I don't blame him. If management did not want him next year and they knew it, they should have rolled him.
Who would want to really help an organization, and put that ahead of their own interests this year, and put their stock in a future that they will not experience?
Mike Fratello is a good basketball coach, but right now if you were going to draw up the worst fit for this particular team, it would probably be Mike Fratello.

This sounds strange, but the Grizzlies need to put someone in the position that doesn't have to worry about how many games they win. Think about what Bernie Birkerstaff has been charged with doing in Charlotte. He is not worried about his job, because he is investing in a future that he will be a part of. So he is fine with getting guys experience. Its not normal, but it is what this team needs. I guy that doesn't worry about his record, because he is secure.

I would love to see Jerry West take over. Imagine the excitement. It would be perfect.

THE WORLDS GREATEST HANDICAPPER

JIMMY DENUNZIO HAD A VIRTUOSO PERFORMANCE ON FRIDAY. MANY OF YOU HAVE REQUESTED THESE TO BE POSTED. ENJOY.

HERE IT IS.

Philanthropy (the picks)

We give back to the community by giving our picks for free. Enjoy becoming a billionaire. Give back to others like we do.

Verno's BCS Parlay
B-- Boston College -29 over Duke
C-- Cal -13.5 over Arizona, or C Florida over Memphis
S-- South Carolina +13 over Florida

Verno's Tropical Team playing against Worst Defense Ever Game of the Year
Hawaii -36 over La Tech (aka the Hawaiian Massacre) Infinity * Infinity Stars

Gary's KFED Parlay
K--Kentucky -2 over Vandy
F--Florida St -8 over Wake
E--East Carolina -7 over Marshall
D--Denver -9.5 over Oakland

Gary's Lock of the Year
Central Florida -2 over Memphis

Bert Sugar Picks (over 70 % on the show this year)
Louisville pick was a loss
USC -7.5 over Oregon
Navy -11 over E Mich
N Dame -13.5 over Air Force
Southern Miss -7 over Tulane

I promise the Denunzio picks will be up soon.

Verno

Picks will be up today... until then... enjoy

No explanation needed.


It is impossible to be in a bad mood after watching this. I have found the cure for bad moods.

Every couple of weeks...

I feel the need to watch this over and over again. It is the greatest American sports moment of all-time.

How about this for a recruit... Memphis commit Derrick Rose

This is serious...

If you are here because you read the Knoxville News Sentinel Article today...

You can click on www.thechrisvernonshow.blogspot.com to get the songs and videos.

Philanthropy (the picks)

Verno's BORAT Parlay (first 5 gamer ever released to public)
B-- BYU -15 over Colorado St
O-- Ohio St -24 over Illini
R-- Rice +9 over Utep
A-- Arkansas -2.5 over S. Carolina
T-- Tulsa -3.5 over Houston

Verno's Tropical Team in Utah GAME OF YEAR (guguplex stars)
Hawaii -26.5 over Utah St.


Gary's T-Head Moy parlay
M-- Marshall -4.5 over Tulane
O-- Oklahoma -2.5 over Tex A&M
Y-- Y-Oming (whoever they play and whatever spread is)

Gary's Great Success High Five Lock of the Century
S Miss -7.5 over Memphis

Bert Sugar Picks
Air Force -6.5 over Army
S. Miss -7 over Memphis
Wisconsin -6.5 over Penn St
Ball State +34 over Mich
Pitt -5 over S. Florida

I will do my best to get the Denunzio audio up by Sat afternoon

Verno

CA Article runs on the song today

HERE IS THE ARTICLE

Big thanks to Scott Cacciola for writing the piece. Thank you to all of you that listen to the show, you made this happen. Holla.

Verno

A little explanation on the picks

All losing picks were taken off the board. Gary and I got late information letting us know that all of the picks that we made that lost should be taken off, and we took them off the board. If you did not call the millionaire line, that's on you homey. It's not a kids game.

Philanthropy (The Picks)

We are 12-0 on parlay picks the last two weeks between Gary and I. Here are the picks...

Bill Gates (massive philanthropist) Parlay
B-- Bowling Green -18 over Temple
G-- Green Wave (Tulane) -5.5 over Army
P-- Pirates (ECU) +6.5 over S Miss

Gary's "Carl Perkins Cadillac" and "My Best Girl" Parlays in honor of Drive By Truckers and Lucero
C--Colorado +2 over Kansas
P-- Penn State -3 over Purdue
C-- Cincy -6 over Syracuse

M-- Miami Ohio -5 over Ball State
B-- Baylor +4.5 over Tex AM
G-- G Tech -5 over Miami

Mine AND Garys Lock of Forever Eva and eva (infinity + infinity stars Master Lock)
USC -10.5 over Oregon State

Bert Sugar Picks (26-12-2 on year)
N Dame -13 over Navy
Northwestern +32 over Mich
Nebraska -5.5 over Okie St
Tenn -3.5 over S Carolina
Kentucky -1.5 over Miss St.

Denunzio Picks and Segment on the website Saturday

Have fun making millions--- Verno

That's a winner!

I am naming my first child Wainwright Vernon. For those of you that have read this blog for some time, you know may hatred for Izzy. My love for Wainwright is in direct proportion.

I will bet this will be the best Grizzlies Blog going

http://cmimemphis.com/grizblog/

Chris Herrington (regular guest from the Memphis Flyer) has his new blog up and running. Link it, Love it, massage it. He is the best in town at breaking down the game and NBA.

Now that is some high praise

Kevin Scarbinsky, the fantastic columnist from the Birmingham News, writes about the Coach O Song in his article today. (thank you to Chadd (the man Cowherd calls The Compass) from Colin Cowherd's show for the heads up).

Here is what was in the article...

"Orgeron is more than the Ole Miss football coach. He's a cautionary tale college presidents tell each other over tea. He's a ghost story athletics directors tell their children at night.
He's the heart and soul of the greatest parody of a college football coach in the history of college football. And parodies.
If you've watched the smash Internet video called Colonel Reb is Crying, you've laughed until you cried.
Unless you're an Ole Miss fan. In which case you were already weeping. "

Mentions everywhere from papers, to CBS, to ESPN, etc. Rece Davis (hero) mentions it at every chance. I have a feeling I will never top this, ever. Thank you to all of you that ever sent a copy somewhere.

UPDATE-- thanks to CBKnox for the link. Clay Travis from CBS Sportsline had this to say...

"Orgeron doesn't do himself any favors by sounding like the Incredible Hulk if the Incredible Hulk spoke with a small ferret attempting to escape from his esophagus. Which leads me to the link below that dozens of people have e-mailed me: Please watch this. I beg of you. If tears aren't streaming down your face by the time this song ends, you need to seriously reconsider your life.
Without a doubt the funniest song about an SEC coach in football history."

If you have seen any others, let me know. I was told it was in a Top 10 at a paper in Alabama and could not find it.


Verno

Jimmy Denunzio Segment and Picks

The Worlds Greatest Handicapper from Dicaprio Bail Bonds and Picks joins us weekly on Fridays. Here is the segment with the picks.

http://www.zshare.net/audio/jimmydenunzio1020-mp3.html

Philanthropy (the picks)

Verno's Harold Ford Jr. Buy your own Jet Parlay
J-- Jayhawks (kansas) +3.5 over Baylor
E-- ECU -6 over SMU
T-- TCU -12 over Army

Verno's Lock of all Locks in the last 25 years (infinity stars)
Southern Miss +17 over V Tech

Gary's Seven Nation Army Parlay
S-- SDSU +14 over Air Force
N-- Northwestern +7 over Mich St
A-- Akron -8 over Miami (Ohio)

Garys Who would bet on Memphis lock of the Century
Memphis +13 over Tulsa

Bert Sugar Picks
Wisconsin -6 over Purdue
S Carolina -3.5 over Vandy
TCU -12 over Army
Mich St -7 over Nwestern
Oregon -3.5 over Wash St

Audio File for Denunzio Picks up on Sat

Come to the Tailgate at Toby Park Sat 4-7 pm before Homecoming Game

Verno

New Miss.St Fight Song (2006)

Here is the song in audio form
http://www.zshare.net/audio/cowbells3-mp3.html



Please check out www.730espn.com


Send to everyone you know. Big thanks to Craig Bates (video director).. watch out Hype Williams.

Verno

LUIS GONZALEZ ON THE SHOW @ 5

Luis Gonzalez from Fox Baseball coverage will join us on the show today @ 5.

WORLDWIDE RELEASE OF NEW SONG TODAY!

We have the audio file and music video (thanks to Craig Bates in Knoxville) set to hit the internet at 3 pm CST. Gary Parrish of Sportsline.com calls it "hysterical."

Big Props to ESPN (Chris Fowler and Rece Davis both) for acknowledging the Coach O Song on the college football scoreboard shows on the worldwide leader.

Reports of it being sung at the Bama/ Ole Miss game, the media room at Auburn/ Florida, etc.

Thanks to all of you that listen to the show, you guys are great. Keep getting the word out. Memphis was the easy part, global domination is the only thing acceptable now. Get ready, today at 3 your life changes........

Philanthropy (The Picks)

Verno's CORN Parlay (price of corn going up-- buy all you want with this one)
C- Connecticut -4.5 over Army
O- Ohio State -14 over Mich State
R- Redhawks (Miami OH) -7 over Buffalo
N- New Mexico -2.5 over UNLV

Verno's Maddonas New Malawian Baby Lock of Century (Infinity Stars)
Tulsa -2.5 over ECU

Bonus Pick from Verno= Idaho +2.5 over LaTech

Gary Parrish Eric Gordon Parlay
Indiana +19.5 over Iowa
Ohio +6 over Illinois
West Mich +3 over N. Illinois

Gary's Lock of the Decade
North Carolina +3 over South Florida

Jimmy Denunzio Picks (Worlds Greatest Handicapper)
New Orleans +3 over Philly
Denver -15 over Oakland
Dallas -13 over Houston
Pitt -6.5 over Kansas City
Secret Double Triple Secret Lock *7 (42 lock guaranteed-- Bears -11.5 over Arizona)

Bert Sugar Picks
Maryland -4.5 over Virginia
Navy -1.5 over Rutgers
Pitt -9.5 over UCF (Friday Game)
Mich -6.5 over Penn St
Arizona -3.5 over Stanford

Bert is 20-8-2 on the show this year

you are welcome for the free money

verno

Today on the show

Madani's Musings
Dave Richard from Sportsline (Fantasy Writer Sportsline.com)
Weekly Cigar with Bert Sugar
Worlds Greatest Hadicapper Jimmy Denunzio
Gary Parrish and the Picks (Philanthropy)

And I will say the most intelligent thing ever said

Feelings through Art

Philanthropy (The Picks)

Verno's Christian Laettner my buddy owns this team, buy your own Parlay
D-- Duke +30 over Bama
U-- UAB -5 over Memphis (donate these winnings to school please)
K-- Kansas City -3 over Arizona
E-- East Carolina -6 over Virgini

Verno's Pick of the Millenium Baby Spinach Pick (a million stars)
Louisville -29.5 over MTSU (friday)

Verno's bonus Picks (cause I love da kids) Vandy, Navy

Gary's OCD Parlay
O-- Okie St -2.5 over K State
C-- Cincy -6 over Akron
D-- Duke +30 over Bama

Gary's Don't Screw Next Weekend Lock of Decade
Florida -1 over LSU

Bert Sugar Picks (Over 80% on show this year, 5-0 last week)
LSU +1 over Florida
Tenn -2.5 over Georgia
Texas A&M -2 over Kansas
Rice -2.5 over Tulane
Vandy -1.5 over Ole Miss

Coyote Ugly Pick of Week is KC -3 over Arizona

Have a great weekend. You now have no excuse to be struggling financially. Holla.

Verno

Click Here for interview with Maxed Out I did

Big thanks to Max Howell and the boys at Maxed Out.

Click here for the Video of the Song

Welcome all listeners and viewers of any media I have done for the song. Big thanks to Max Howell and the guys at "Maxxed Out" The song was featured on the show this morning (which is in 8 states throughout the south), and will be on their TV show which is in 72 markets on the Cox Cable Network. I got an email last night from Mike Hall (ESPNU Anchor) from ESPNU saying that they referenced the song on the college football show the Monday night 3-4 times in the hour. Jim Donnan had given it to Mike Gottfried and Mike shared with everyone at ESPN. I think my heart would have stopped if I had heard them reference it, but big-ups to these guys. Heros.

Thanks again to all the listeners of the show. Its a powerful group. Today is my birthday, and I never really made a big deal of anybody else's, so I could really care less about my own. I cant wait for the calls from family and friends wishing me a happy birthday, and then I say thanks, and then I am out of things to say.

Here is how is goes...

me: Hello
other person: Happy Birthday (or bad rendition of song that seems forever)
me: thanks
other person: So do you feel older?
me: (my brain is saying be nice) No, not really.
other person: So how is everything?
me: (oh dear God, not this conversation) Everything is great.
other person: Yeah... great... how is work?
me: (ohhhhhhhh no) Work is great
other person: Is everything else good?
me: (didn't we just go over this!, stay nice) Yeah, its great.
other person: Did you get anything?
me: (oh crap, I gotta get out of this) A few things, hey, I gotta run.
other person: oh, ok, well wanted to wish you Happy Birthday
me: (thank you Jesus) Thanks so much. Great to hear from you. (blah, blah, blah)

I always lie, but I am 28 now (seriously).

Thanks for listening.

Verno

Steam of conciousness

The song has now been downloaded over 11 thousand times and has been watched on youtube over 32 thousand times. Thanks to all of you that have emailed and enjoyed it. I started to work on another song. Any suggestions are welcome in terms of subject matter for new songs.

Earlier in the year we had a discussion about Jeter vs. Arod. Seriously, you can hate of the guy, which I am sure people will on The Haters segment today, but who would you rather have in the playoffs.

I have a terrible feeling about how this season is going to play out for Memphis.

I remember thinking that Ahmad Carroll would be good when he was at Arkansas. Do you know how bad you have to be to get cut by the Packers?

How is it possible that Culpepper is much worse than Ferrotte? That guy was made by Moss, like carbon-dated Cunningham, Jeff George, etc.

I like the new Killers CD.

The National League is not good. It seems like there is one great starter, and its Carpenter. There are some good ones, but 1 great starter in the playoffs?

Christian Laettner needs PR consultation. Jerry Stackhouse once beat him up on an airplane, you figure that may humble you a bit. I really hope we stop with the Duke stuff and "championship environment" etc. I loved Brian Davis, and Laettner took away from the excitement of a new local owner. "My team, our team, my best friend owns the team, Why did you laugh when we said I would be on the team?"... it was all abrasive and a bit unsettling.

Grizz PBP guy Eric Hasseltine, Chris Herrington from the Flyer, Gary Parrish (out of the hospital, but still messed up), and maybe John McEnroe on the show today.

Verno

Click Here for the Video of the Song

UPDATE-- New Grizz Owner Brian Davis Interview Online

We will have all interviews on the Website--- Brian Davis is there-- www.730espn.com
In the ARCHIVES section

NEW GRIZZLIES OWNER BRIAN DAVIS ON THE SHOW IN 3-4 HOUR

BRIAN DAVIS, WHO IS BUYING THE GRIZZLIES, WILL BE ON THE SHOW TODAY-- TELL EVERYONE.

Philanthropy (The Picks)

Verno's T.O. Cry for Help Parlay
S- Syracuse -5 vs Wyoming
O-- Ohio St. -7 over Iowa
S-- San Diego -2.5 vs Baltimore

Colonel Reb is Crying Lock of the Century (Infinity Stars)
Georgia -18 over Ole Miss (you can tease this one to -40 if you want to make it fun)

Gary's T.O. Parlay
P-- Penn State -19
I-- Indiana +11
L-- LSU -33
L-- Louisianna Laff. -8

Gary's Donate to the Tiger Scholarship Fund Pick
Tenn -13 over Mem

Bert Sugar Picks
Tenn, Oregon, Kentucky, Mich, Wash (against spread)

If you are here for the song.... here it is http://www.zshare.net/audio/coach-o-mp3.html


Rep yo hood

Verno

This song is wild fire

Wow... I was sent a video for it on youtube.com, my addiction. Mentions from Deadspin, everydayshouldbesaturday, every mesage board, etc. All I ever wanted was to have my voice heard, either that or I didn't have enough content for the show. Thank you internet for my 4 minutes of internet fame.

A guy named cbknox has put a video together for the song and put it on youtube. well done. I am sure this is my last weekend on earth once his kids are singing it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63PnSDrGHRw

ESPN's Chris Spielman Live @ It's Gameday

Former Ohio St, NFL player, current ESPN Analyst Chris Spielman will be live on remote with me today from 5-6. The store is at Meddenhall and Sanderlin.

Dont Call It A Come Back - Colonel Reb is Crying

HERE IS THE NEW SONG WE DEBUTED ON THE SHOW ON TUES.


Colonel Reb is Crying 9/26/06

T.O. attempts suicide?

The Fort Worth Star Telegram reports that T.O. tried to kill himself last night. I cannot believe this story. I talk a lot about keeping sports in perspective. This is a guy with real problems behind all of the bluster. HERE IS THE LINK.

This morning is a primary example of why 730 is making such huge gains everyday. I was driving around and the other station is talking about college bball, while Mike and Mike have been all over this story for the last hour. The other station has no idea about the biggest sports story in the world, or does not care. Now... on to more calls about UT/Memphis, talk of Byron Nelson dying, and soccer...
You have a choice... all day.

I have to admit that this part of the story is strange to say the least....

FOX 4's Lynn Kawano said a police report stated Owens ingested a large amount of prescription pain medication at about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Owens publicist called 911 at 7:47 p.m. and asked for emergency crews to respond to Owens' home near Deep Ellum.

That was incredible

I thought MNF last night was great. ESPN handled it well. I thought that perspective was kept as well as it could have been, and it made everyone that watched want to heed to the pleas of the locals, and visit New Orleans.

I have never really cared about the Saints, but I almost lost my voice when they blocked the punt and ran it in to start the game. That was a sports moment I will never forget, and those don't happen everyday.

I thought the Kornheiser speech to start the game was great.

Verno

Philanthropy (the picks)

Verno's "cupboard bare" parlay
Fl Atlantic +30 over S. Carolina
UAB -9.5 over Miss St
Wake +2.5 over Ole Miss

Verno's Ambien CR deadbolt lock of the past 25 years INFINITY STARS
CENTRAL MICHIGAN -4.5 OVER E. MICH

Gary's NAP Parlay
Nevada -7
Air Force +1
Purdue +2.5

Garys Pawn the Guitar Lock
Oregon State -25 over Idaho

Jimmy Denunzio Picks (9-1 so far this season)
Jax +7 over Colts
Minnesota +3 over Chicago
Cincy +3 over Pitts
S Fran +6 over Philly
Double Secret Triple Lock is New Orleans over Atlanta (MNF)

Bert Sugar Picks (10-4-2 this season with us)
C Mich -4 over Eastern Mich
Minnesota -3 over Purdue
Syracuse -6.5 over Miami (OH)
Bama +2 over Ark
UAB -10 over Miss St

Coyote Ugly Pick of the Week is
New England -6.5 over Denver (Coyote pick is 1-0 this season)

Rosers Pick
Kansas -4

Have a great weekend and I appreciate you listening to the show

Verno

Fridays Show

Before I get to the show, we reported yesterday on the show that the new Tigers beat writer (taking Gary's place) is a guy named Dan Wolken from Colorado Springs (he has been covering Air Force). He is young, he works very hard, and is a great writer. This is a great hire for the CA, and a great replacement for GP, who as you know, was a great beat writer for the Tigers.


It's a Packed out Friday..

Dave Richard from sportsline.com for fantasy football weekend preview, Gary Parrish and the Philanthropy (Picks) segment, Bert Sugar, Worlds Greatest Handicapper Jimmy Denunzio, etc.
I may mix in a local yokle to talk about Ryder Cup (just kidding).

I don't need to tell those of you reading this to listen to the show or the station, but make it a point to tell someone about it. Well prepared hosts, different topics on every show, the best interviews being done in the sports world... its how we roll. Word has gotten out big time as of late and all you have to do is come by our tailgate parties, etc. Thank you for listening, this is just the start. The only challenge was getting the word out, and once it does completely, its all over but the weeping and gnashing of teeth.


I am poison sumac

Grizz Power Hour

Thursday on the Grizz Power Hour from 3-4 with me and Eric Hasseltine... Grizz Director of Scouting Tony Barrone Jr. in studio. We will talk about all of his travels over the summer and what is going on with the team right now, how players look, etc.

I am also planning on saying the most intelligent thing to ever come from a human tongue on the show.

Verno

Bruce Pearl thinks ABC 24 asks horses***t questions

Click on... Pearl won't answer question. You think they would ever ask Cal this if UT went further in the tourney? Yeah right.

What my producer looks like during the show

Jon Roser, ladies and gentlemen

Feelings Through Art (Part 2)

Philanthropy (The Picks are free)

Verno's Malignant Tumor Parlay (you would rather have one than not play this)
Notre Dame -6 over Michigan
Syracuse +3 over Illinois
UAB +17 over Georgia

Verno's NFL Picks AWDIGBO (All we do is get blown out)
San Diego -11 over Titans
Baltimore -12 over Oakland

Gary's Jerrell Powe Parlay
A-- Akron -1 1/2
C-- Conn -6
T-- Texas Tech -1 1/2

Gary's Lock of the World forever and ever +10 years
G Tech -17 1/2

Coyote Ugly Pick of the Week
San Francisco +3 over St. Louis

Jimmy Denunzio (Went 5-0 last week)
Jacksonville +1 1/2
Indy -13 1/2
Baltimore -12
Wash +6 1/2

Double Secret Lock times 4
New Orleans -2 over Green Bay

Those are the picks-- good luck becoming billionaires

Verno

Bert Sugar is smart

Bert went 5-0 last week and is 80% in his picks on the show. You could do a lot worse than taking his advice. Build your war chest.

Here are Bert's Picks for this week (these are #'s he got them at in Vegas)

ECU -1 1/2 over Memphis
Boston College -7 over BYU
Boise St. -7 over Wyoming
Oregon -4 1/2 over Oklahoma
Az State -10 over Colorado
Bonus Pick----- Stanford -2 1/2 over Navy

All of the other picks from the show (Including Denunzio who went 5-0 last week) will be up tomorrow after the show.

73% of Americans say that immigration is a serious problem.The other 27% said, 'No habla ingles.'--Conan O'Brien

This makes me feel better (feelings through art)

Philanthropy

Verno's King James Lock Parlay
C--- Central Florida +23 1/2 vs. Florida
A---Auburn -20 vs. Miss State
V---Vanderbilt +16 vs. Alabama

Verno's Supersonic Plutonic Bubonic Plague Guguplex Stars Lock of the New Millenium
Idaho +17 vs. Washington State (Dennis Erickson homey)

Gary's Counting Crows Parlay
C--- Cal -7 1/2 vs. Minnesota
R---Rutgers -10 1/2 vs. Illinois
O--- Okla -16 vs. Wash
W--- Wake Forest -19 vs. Duke
S--- Stanford or San Jose St.-- you choose line is 9 1/2

Jimmy Denunzio Picks
Jacksonville -2
Ohio St +2 1/2
Chicago Bears +3 1/2
Philly +4 1/2

Triple Triple Secret Lock Pick is MNF-- Minnesota +4 1/2 vs. Washington Redskins

Bert Sugar's Picks (against spread)
Florida
Oregon
V Tech
Pitt
Georgia

Gary's Progressive (against spread) (Zombie)
Zona
Ohio St
Mich
Boston College
Indiana
East Carolina Then put it all on Oregon

Friday Show

3:30-- Dave Richard (Fantasy Football Columnist CBS Sportsline) will take your calls

4 oclock hour-- Gary Parrish, possible special guest, the picks for the weekend (where we make you millions)

5 -- Jimmy Denunzio (Self-Proclaimed Worlds Greatest Hadicapper)
5:20-- Weekly Cigar with Bert Sugar
5:40-- Chargers QB Phillip Rivers (tentative)

I will update the site with the picks before Saturday.

An Invitation

All of you are invited to attend our FIRST TIGER TAILGATE of the season. It will be @ Toby Park starting at 4 oclock, and it will go until 7pm. The Tigers play their home opener against Chattanooga. I am well aware that Ohio State and Texas are playing that night. If you are not going to the Tiger game and want to go home or some bar and watch #1 vs. #2, I still want you to come to the Tailgate.

We will have free drinks including kegs and frozen drink machines from Budweiser. We will have the Coyote girls from Coyote Ugly, and we will have free food from Central BBQ. How can you turn that down? Invite everyone you know and come out for the party. It's all free. Come say hello. Holler Holler. 730 ESPN is the King of the Tailgate. Represent.

Verno

I hate Western Michigan and I am 1/2 pt from hating Southern Miss

Philanthropy

Here are the picks from the show today

The Verno Shocker Parlay
Vandy +26 vs. Michigan
Southern Miss +20 1/2 vs. Florida

Verno's super duper trooper grilled grouper infinity stars lock of the century
Western Michigan +6 1/2 vs. Indiana

Why is this so easy?

Gary Parrish CBS Parlay
Cal -2 1/2 over UT
Bowling Green +10 1/2 vs. Wisconsin
Southern Cal -8 1/2 vs. Arkansas

Gary's South Florida screw the hurricane lock of the century katrina aid pick
Miami -3 over Florida State

Bert Sugar's Picks
Penn St -16 1/2 over Akron
Cal +2 vs. Ut (that's what he got it at)
Navy -12 1/2 over ECU
Ohio State -17 1/2 over Nothern Ill.
Nebraska -23 1/2 over La. Tech

There they are, have a safe holiday weekend.

Verno

Who wants to be a millionaire?

Today is the return of the 3 greatest handicappers in the history of western civilization.

Jimmy Denunzio from DiCaprio picks and bail bonds joins us on the show today, and you cannot afford to miss him. He is 100 percent in the last 10 years.

Gary and I will make our picks, including parlays. Parlays are the only way to make money like we make... billions this year. I will post all of the picks. If you do not listen to our picks, blame yourself when your kid has a crappy Christmas. We will do our part. We give back to the listeners by giving you the greatest picks this world has ever seen. This time of year, we don't give bums money, we give them picks. Why? Because we try to save the world.

Bert Sugar will be on the show and we will get his picks too. He will also tell us about the James Toney/ Samuel Peter fight tomorrow night.

Get ready to trade in your car and buy a Bentley, and get a new house. Listen only if you care about the future of you and your children. Otherwise, live in regret forever.

Verno

Starting on College Football

With the first game coming on Thursday night, here come the bold predictions...

Ten or so things to look for in the SEC this year...

Tennessee beats Cal in the first game by at least double-digits

Kenny Irons becomes the 5th Auburn RB to lead the league in rushing since 2000

Mitch Mustain is the starting Arkansas QB by week 3 @ Vandy

In a shocker, Florida loses one of its first 2 games (both vs. CUSA, Southern Miss and UCF)

Be surprised if Ole Miss wins 4 games

Ole Miss/ Miss State may be the "job on the line" game

Vanderbilt will not be as bad as people think without Cutler (win at least 5 and compete for bowl)

The season surprisingly becomes a really good year for QB's, and the future at Arkansas, Florida, and Georgia all look really good with Freshmen that get to play.

Miss State is better than Ole Miss.

Gary and I will be millionaires as a reflection from our super-trooper duper picks, parlays, and locks

I realize that some of these are far-fetched, but if I am wrong I will just act like I never said it

Recognize

Verno

Parrish The Thoughts... copyright pending.

I figure if I have a catchy name for the blog, I will get more readers. Thanks Gary.

Nice debut on national TV for DeAngelo against the Dolphins. 98 yd kick return and he looked warped speed. Another note on this game... I think I have watched the Titans and other crappy teams too much in the preseason, because both the Dolphins and the Panthers defenses looked much faster and better than almost everyone I have seen so far. So what happens when you put a total meathead with zero comprehension of broadcasting on the sidelines or in the booth and give him a headset? You get Tony Siragusa on Fox. Possibly the worst decision I have ever seen made by a network. He talks when he is not supposed to, he burps, he eats, and has never said an intelligent thing. This is like the Lions sticking with Matt Millen. How is he back? How? At least every single game he is on I know I will get the wonderful incite about how hot it is on the field. When is he not hot? He weighs 500 lbs. It is always hot when you are insanely obese.

I am pretty sure I am gonna go see that movie with Marky Mark in it about football, Invincible. I have heard good things, but though I have seen Mark Wahlberg in movies, and I know he is responsible for Entourage, I will never get him punching the heavy bag in a old warehouse out of my head. Come on, come on, comeon, comeon, it's such a good vibration.

I had no idea how awesome Dwight Howard was until I watched him on Team USA. Orlando has been like witness protection.

My Madden addiction is so unhealthy. I should have never bought it.

This weekend, in between Franchise mode, I will put together all of the college football prep. I know, you can hardly wait.

Has anyone ever been more inconsistent at anything than Jason Marquis is at pitching?

I am starting to think that Delina will not win Rock Star Supernova and I think it may be Lucas now. Yes, Storm Large is hot, but she won't win.

Keep it thuggy.

Verno

When permanently means nothing

Tiger basketball player Jeremy Hunt was reinstated today. You may remember that Jeremy was suspended for a domestic dispute with an ex, then reinstated, then permanently dismissed from the Tiger program for getting in a fight on Beale Street and breaking his hand (which he lied and said he did in a shooting drill). That Jeremy Hunt.

The whole Jeremy Hunt situation was a P.R. nightmare for the University. They botched it. They hired a firm for a ton of money to say they botched it.

What is more comical than the whole reinstatement is the reaction you will hear from the media in this town. The media that if it was any other school would have a totally different opinion.

I love hearing that "he's a great kid." How do you know? Because he is nice to you? You are supposed to be nice to people. I know if it was my daughter that he hit, I would cringe to hear about what a great kid he is. Yet you will hear media members say that, as if they really know. How many great kids pin down girls and beat them up? There may be some, but I have never known them. What if that was your daughter? How would you feel now? What is your answer to that? It bothers you to think of it that way, doesn't it? It challenges your thinking.

I love hearing "he did was he was supposed to do, he graduated, and he has been a model citizen." Seriously, how low are our standards? You should graduate when you get a free education and tutors to boot, you are supposed to stay out of trouble, and you should be a model citizen.

I love hearing "hopefully he learned his lesson." What lesson? That if you are good at basketball permanently can mean nothing if you act right for a while? If you can help Memphis win, chances come in packs of at least three. If you cannot, ask Simplice Njoya how many you get.

The spin is gonna be classic. Cal and the media in his pocket will say that those of us against the reinstatement hate Memphis, don't care about kids, don't understand what Jeremy would do without basketball, and don't know the kid well enough. They will say it does not bother them at all. We will hear how he served his time and has learned, etc. On the subject of not caring about kids... Keena Young had a Uhaul packed with his stuff to come to Memphis in a package deal with Kendrick Perkins and when Kendrick did not come, Keena was told to un-pack his bags and stay home. What did he do wrong? Don't we care about kids here?

I am totally in favor of second chances. Jeremy got his. He was told that he had one chance, and when he screwed up again the university sent out a message saying that he was gone forever and would no longer embarrass the Tigers. Kids make mistakes and everyone has to learn from them. The best life lesson that Jeremy can learn is for permanent to mean permanent. Reinstating him sends the message that permanent can mean nothing... If your good at basketball. This isn't just the wrong word being used, that they should not have said "permanent" as many will say.

The mistake is that they should have meant permanent.

Verno

DJ Quits Live on the Air

If you heard the show today, you may have heard the greatest resignation ever. Here is the link. It happened this past weekend on a station in Mobile. I wish we could hire her to do updates.

http://www.urbaninsite.com/replay/iquitthisbitch.mp3

Verno

Kicking it around--- Fantasy Football-- 730 ESPN

I would guess that the majority of you that are reading this have or will play fantasy football. If I put something together to produce a league sponsored by the station where we would play for prizes the station provides, how many of you would be interested? Live draft would be @ the studio on a date to be determined. The first people to email will get in when it's all put together.

Email me soon if interested... verno@730espn.com

Anthony Randolph

I admit that I do not follow recruiting, but I am very aware that many fans do. That being said, Anthony Randolph was one of the big-time recruits that the Memphis Tigers were after is not coming to Memphis.
Parrish said this today on the show. Gary has talked people close to Randolph and they told him, and the Memphis staff, that the Tigers are out. The kid is from Texas and it was gonna be a long shot to sign him from what Gary says. The kid narrowed his list and Memphis is not in it anymore. According to the people Gary talked to the list now includes Texas, Kansas, Georgetown, Cincinnati, and LSU.
Also, Gary said that two assistants (not Tigers) have told him that they thought the next move was for Calipari to hire Tiger recruit Derrick Rose's (Reggie) brother as an assistant.
I hope this is true because evidently he got kicked out of a huge AAU tournament for saying he was gonna shoot the ref. Talk about getting some calls next year at the Forum! That's Ballin.

Verno the Journalist

Antonio Burks update...

I talked to Burks today. As you know, he was scheduled to join me yesterday and did not. He expressed to me that he would perfer to not answer many of the questions that I would ask until he signed somewhere and determined his future.

There are 4 teams that he has talked with. They include Indiana, Sacramento (they would have to drop a PG for this to happen), Dallas, and Miami. If Larry Brown was still in New York, he believed that New York would be where he would have ended up. This makes sense only on the level that Brown and Calipari and extremely tight.

If the NBA does not work out, he has 2 offers from Europe. I believe that one of them was an Italian team. This much is certain, he told me that should he decide to play overseas, he would make more in one year than he did in 2 with the Grizzlies.

Verno the Reporter

these baby pandas are great looking creatures

Talladega Nights, Antonio Burks, etc.

I loved Talladega Nights. I had high expectations for this movie and I was not disappointed in the least. Will Ferrell co-wrote the movie, so you know the deal going in. What is the funniest dialogue we can come up with and deliver without laughing? It is much like Anchorman in that I will probably laugh at a ton of different jokes the next time I see it. There is no way that you could catch them all. If you are not a cyborg, you will laugh.

I get a lot of calls and emails about Antonio Burks. It is understandable considering he was a great player at Memphis, he's a homegrown kid, and was a Grizzly. Antonio is not playing for the Grizzlies. Now the question I get a lot is to ask if I have heard anything about what will happen to him. I will tell you that I have talked to people and Sacramento has interest in Burks. They would have to make a roster move, but it is a possibility. It makes some sense considering Eric Musselman is with the Kings now. Burks would be best served to get out of Memphis anyway, personally and professionally.

Tiger Woods is golf.

Did the Cardinals really win? Thank goodness Ben Sheets pulled his pectoral.

I saw that David Wright got a 6 year, 55 mil contract. If someone signs a great player I look at it in Arod terms, which is totally backwards. Is Wright worth half of Arod's deal? Of course he is, good deal.

I was glad to see NFL on NBC. I love the new crew for this. I love Costas, Collinsworth, Madden, Michaels. I bet Bettis will be good because he is likeable, and I cannot stand Sterling Sharpe. All in all, its a good crew.

Congrats to Matt Cain on the career high 12 K's.

Jeter over Big Papi for MVP? Discuss amongst yourself.

Verno

Joe Montana on the show Thursday.

3 days till Super Bowl Joe...

Today on the show--- SEC Media Days-- Day 3

Today youwill hear from...

Florida Coach Urban Meyer
Auburn Coach Tommy Tuberville
Miss St. Coach Sylvester Croom
ESPN Voice of College Football Ron Franklin

If I play the interview with Les Miles from LSU people will drive off the road because they will fall asleep. So we will not.

In what was a huge upset, I thought that Croom was the best coach I heard talk the entire week. It was not even close. He laid back in his chair, chilled out, and shot from the hip. Stunning.

Croom gave the best speech I have ever heard from a coach at Media Days. I will play it multiple times today. It was like it was from Field of Dreams or something. It happened in the radio room and it was by far the least attended coach session in the room. People really missed out on some great stuff. I will root for the guy.

There are about 3 or 4 station left here doing afternoon shows. I am one of them. I love being at media days, but I am ready to go home. I have stayed at a La Quinta in Hoover before and it was great, but this time I booked the wrong one. Never stay at the La Quinta off of exit 19 in Birmingham. The shower pressure is like pee. I am dirty, tired, and my back hurts from that stupid bed. I take my home from granted.

Listen to the show.

Verno

Today on the show-- SEC Media Days-- Day 2

Good Day 2-- you will hear from...

Tennessee Head Coach Phil Fulmer
Arkansas Head Coach Houston Nutt
Ole Miss LB Patrick Willis

Author Darren Epps (Author of Orange Crushed about Tenn Football last year)
Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook Editor Sterling Ambrose

SEC Media Days ---- Day 1

This is the morning of day 2 in Birmingham. Yesterday, the only thing I will really remember was having Kenneth Darby (RB from Bama) say on the show that he was upset that Kenny Irons and Darren McFadden were both faster than him on NCAA 2007. I think they are faster than him in real life too.

This place is hilarious. I am always baffled at how seriously so many of the radio guys take themselves. I would guess that 50 percent have either have never kissed a girl, or at least not in the last 10-15 years.

The answers that all the coaches give are so predictable. I remember 5 or 6 years ago when I was really into sitting in a room and was in awe of the coaches and players and everything they said. I guess I am getting a little jaded, or maybe its ADD, but I get bored quickly now.

I did not get bored at all with Mike Slive (Commish of SEC) when he was on the show. I thought he was really good and guys with a lot of power intrigue me. I could talk to him about college football and its system for hours and learn a lot. Listening to him always makes me think of how uninformed people can be when they throw out their easy solutions to everything.

Today Spurrier is here. He is in a class above the rest in terms charisma. Spurrier is by far the best, Houston Nutt can be good with the Baptist minister thing, Tuberville is usually good in this setting, Mark Richt was better than I remembered, and the rest are boring.

Today is Ole Miss, Tenn, S. Carolina, and Arkansas. A much better day than yesterday when they put Vandy and Kentucky on the same day (get out the way day).

Ron Higgins says that this is the worst crop of players brought to media days since 1978. I believe him. Usually you get an Eli, or Cutler, or Cadillac, or whoever. This year there are a few names you would even recognize unless you are a big fan of the school they go to. A lack of stars here for sure.

Listen to the show.

Verno

Kyle Lowry on the show today

Grizzlies first round draft pick Kyle Lowry will join me on the show today.

Eric Hasseltine (Grizz PbP Voice) will join me today for Grizz Power Hour because we will be in Birmingham for SEC Media Days starting Wed.

Chris Herrington from the Memphis Flyer will also do his segment today.

Gary Parrish (Go read his stuff on sportsline.com) will join us from Vegas

I was at the Rookie presser this morning and we will talk about what Jerry West and the new guys had to say, as well as give you the sound from the days events.

I will be updating this blog everyday from SEC Media Days. Please read it. I will give you a dollar.

Keep it thuggy.

Verno

Closing out both sides of the trade

Yesterday when Rudy Gay joined us on the show, it closed out both sides of the trade. We were the first show to get Shane Battier on the show after the trade, and the first to get Rudy Gay after the trade. I was really impressed with the attitude and personality of Rudy Gay. He was witty and fun to talk to. Battier was the face of the Grizzlies franchise for good reason, and it will be different not seeing him in a Grizzly uni, but Rudy Gay, on first impression, seemed to be that engaging guy with charisma that people will fall in love with.

I want to thank all of you that are jumping on board with the station, and telling everyone you know. Things are picking up dramatically, and I appreciate all of you that listen. Emails to the station come in on a daily basis commenting on the station. Here is one that we got yesterday. I obviously know nothing about my competition, but I thought the example of yesterdays show was funny. This is the oppurtunity and excitement I wanted. To be a part of something fresh and new. Kevin is our GM.

Kevin,

Just wanted to let you know what a welcome relief your station has been. Sports 56, who I used to be a loyal listener and constant caller, has lately become nothing more than the new AM 790, the voice of the University of Memphis. The reason AM 790 failed was because they were all Tigers, all the time. The addition of Dave Woloshin, the radio voice of the Tigers, to go along with Greg Gaston, the television voice of the Tigers, to go along with George Lapides, the 1930's beat writer for the Tiger's, became too much for most sports fans to bear. While Chris Vernon was interviewing Rudy Gay this afternoon ( a wonderful interview by the way ), the guys at 56 were talking Tiger basketball recruiting for the year 2008. Please stay on the attack, and continue to seperate yourselves from your fast fading competition. Please continue to give us plenty of Grizzly information and other items that are not just U of M related. Unlike the written media in this city, sports talk listeners have a choice. Continue your good work and you will see more and more listeners make the switch to 730 espn radio Memphis.

Ron

Today on the show.... Gary Parrish in studio for the show, Keith Easterwood, Chris Herrington

I had to try that suit on

Represent

This is what I saw when I came to work today

My producer, Jon Roser, ladies and gentleman

Rudy Gay schduled to join us today

The newest Grizzly, Rudy Gay, is scheduled to join us on the show today (fingers crossed). Gary has his second article and mugshot up on sportsline.com.

Gary Parrish debut on Sportsline

http://sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/9552286/1

Atta boy Gary.

I cannot stop laughing

You have to see this. I was reading a magazine last night that said to type "crying wrestling fan" into the youtube search. To see it CLICK HERE. Youtube is the best invention ever.

Moron Mike Off 3 is today at 4:20. Special celebrity judge Justin Moore (lead singer of Ingram Hill) will be on the show for the competition.

Shane Battier was great on the show yesterday. I am hunting down Rudy Gay for today to be on the Grizz Power Hour.

Bert Sugar on the show today from Vegas.

SHANE BATTIER ON THE SHOW TODAY!

Probably the first hour, if so, I will replay it in the third hour. We will get him right after his presser in Houston

MORON MIKE-OFF 2

One of the greatest moments in radio history will take place on the show on Friday. The much anticipated rematch of Jon Roser and Ladimer the Intern will take place on the show. Roser defends his microphone. Gary Parrish has set the odds, and Roser is a 6-1 favorite. Can he duplicate his timeless performance, or will the up and coming intern shock the world? We find out Friday.

Today on the show...

Eric Hasseltine (voice of Grizzlies) for the Grizzlies Power Hour

New Grizz Point Guard Kyle Lowry UPDATE: Lowry hurt in practice (did not look good) Anthony Roberson will be on instead

NBA Veteran Tony Delk

Thanks for listening... things are good

Verno

Grizz Summer League Roster, local flavor

It includes Billy Richmond and Waki Williams that played @ Memphis. No Rudy Gay because trade not official.

Antwain Barbour Kentucky
Ousmane Cisse St. Jude (HS)
Andreas Glyniadakis Greece
Junior Harrington Wingate
Alexander Johnson Florida State
Tarence Kinsey South Carolina
Kyle Lowry Villanova
Jared Newson Tennessee-Martin
Carlos Powell South Carolina
Billy Richmond Memphis
Anthony Roberson Florida
Lawrence Roberts Mississippi State
Steve ThomasMiddle Tennessee State
Hakim Warrick Syracuse
Waki Williams Memphis

I cannot stop watching videos on youtube

I have a show on Monday, no show Tuesday. We were gonna do "best of" but have no content for that.

Youtube brings me this today.....

I don't care whatever happens in sports for the next 100 years. This is not happening again.

Vince Carter strattles the 7 ft 2 in Frenchie in the Olympics.

And Gary Parrish told me about this guy he saw on Carson Daly, of course it was on youtube already, and if you like singer/songwriters, this guy is great.

David Ford, here is the carson daly performance.

Damn it feels good to be a gangster.

Verno