The New Face of LP Field.

My colleagues in the sports office were wondering who should be replacing Steve McNair on the banner that hangs on the side of LP Field. When you look at the options, the pickings are slim. The immediate candidate is Keith Bulluck. He’s a force on the field. A vocal leader in the locker room. Well respected by the fans and media in Nashville. There aren’t a lot of downsides to making him the face of the former Coliseum. But outside of Music City, is Keith Bulluck a house hold name? That’s debatable.

Another candidate would be Vince Young. He’s the future of the team. A national sports figure. Also respected by fans and media. However, he has yet to take a snap in the NFL. I’m not saying it’s going to happen, or want it to happen, but there’s the risk that he could wind up like Ryan Leaf or Akili Smith. And if Billy Volek is currently #1 on the depth chart, isn’t that a slap in his face?

Jeff Fisher could also be on the short list. Throughout all the changes, he’s been the one constant. He provides stability, security, and leadership. He’s arguably one of the most popular sports figures in Tennessee. However, how many people go to games to watch the coach map out game plans? Also, if Jeff isn’t able to turn the Titans around this year - the final year of his contract - there’s the possibility he could be moving on.

And finally, a reader in the Tennessean had this unique approach. Look at the history of the players featured on the banner. Eddie George = Gone. Steve McNair = Gone. With that in mind, he suggested Pacman Jones be on the next banner. I’m not saying I agree with him, but I like the way the guy’s thinking.

What do you say Nashvegas? Who would you like to see on the side of LP Field?

The McEnd, Finally!

Why did this all take so long? Over the last few months I’ve been asked over and over about Steve McNair and I’ve always given the same answer, “he’ll never play for the Titans again”. I knew it, you knew it, Bob Dole knew and yes, the American tax payers knew it.

The Titans got offered a 5th round pick on draft day, said they wanted a 4th, Baltimore said no. That just seems silly. They wouldn’t give up a 4th for a huge upgrade at quarterback? So, here we are today, McNair’s missed virtually all of the Ravens OTA’s and they finally decided to part with that coveted 4th rounder. Again, what took so long?

As for all of that good will the Titans were sending out in the paper the last 2 weeks, that wasn’t intended for Steve, it was all for Baltimore. The more it seemed like the Titans wanted him, the higher the price was going to be.

Folks, the only question here was how long were the Ravens were willing to wait. We knew #9 was gone as soon as training camp got here and the Titans needed to sign their draft picks. So, again, if the Ravens didn’t want to wait until then, why didn’t they give up a 4th rounder 1 or 2 months ago? I can’t believe it the more I keep saying it to myself. They gave the guy $12-million dollars! Why not get him in sooner rather than later? He’s not a long term investment, he’s a win now guy, so why not get him in now?

Yes, it’s said he’s gone. But, as we’ve heard over and over again it’s business. Reality is he wasn’t taking the Titans to the Super Bowl this year. It didn’t go smoothly, but it was probably the right move for the long term health of the organization. I know it was for Steve’s pocketbook! $12-million! Wow!

The DLR Impact

For me, sports is not the be all - end all. A lot of people think that because I work in sports, I must watch Sports Center 24/7; catch every game in town; buy every retro jersey; collect athlete’s autographs. I can assure you my life away from the station couldn’t be more different. Let’s put it this way: Do you think the cat that served you the Big Mac you ate for lunch went home and made burgers for dinner? Exactly - now you follow me.

When I got into this crazy industry some 13 summers ago, I was a young, aggressive, hungry, know it all with a few semesters left in college. Have microphone, will travel. Fast forward to 2006, and I’m an older, aggressive, guy who just had a snack that now realizes he doesn’t know it all after having dropped out of college. The point I’m trying to make is - Times Change, People Change. And with those changes comes a great amount of soul searching.

The TV business has given me opportunities most people aren’t fortunate enough to land. How often does your job take you on an all expense paid trip to the Super Bowl with sideline seats? Now granted, you’re working 18 hour days during it all, but would most folks consider this work?

Recently, Big Joe on the Go got to interview a hero of mine: David Lee Roth. In my formative years, DLR came to my hometown for a show and I got to sit down with him for what turned out to be a life changing experience. I was 22 at the time; freaking out that I was going to be face to face with one of my childhood legends. Van Halen was everything to me when I was a teenager. If it wasn’t for hearing Eddie Van Halen, I never would’ve picked up a guitar. If it wasn’t for David Lee Roth, I never would’ve picked up my first girlfriend. Are you following me?

Flashback to July 1994, Huntington, WV. Dave sits down with me in one of the banquet rooms of the Radisson Hotel. If you’ve never heard DLR give an interview - it’s not the typical “coachspeak” that we bring to you on a daily basis. The word “cliché” isn’t in Roth’s vocabulary (unless he’s describing Sammy Hagar).

I nervously launch into my first question, and sound an awful lot like Chris Farley doing it. Dave picks up on this immediately. But, he’s never condescending, nor put out that he’s sitting here with some college kid wasting 20 minutes of his time while the ice in his Jack and Coke is melting.

After the interview, Dave pulls me aside and says “nice job.” Then he goes on to say - I knew you were nervous, but you managed to pull it together to ask some intelligent questions. Afterwards, he gave me the one piece of advice that I live by to this very day. He looked me straight in the eye and asked “Do you think Michael Jordan ever takes the court thinking he’s going to lose a game?” I said “no”. He replied “That’s the attitude. That’s the spirit. That’s the lifestyle. Master your craft like no other, and you’ll be feeling that way too.”

Later that night during his show, Dave was cool enough to let me shoot on stage with him for most of the concert. He even stopped the show during “Panama” to introduce me to the crowd of 25,000 he was playing in front of. It was one of the best nights of my life.

Stepping out of the way back machine and returning to 2006, I find again find myself in some uncertain situations. The winds of change are blowing so hard that Lisa Patton is ready to cut in to programming with a Storm Tracker Update. And once again, I find myself recollecting another piece of wisdom that only DLR could provide.

“Do you want to be the same guy that got on the bus 20 years ago when you get off? Why take the ride? Be an art project, don’t just wear one.”

It’s so brilliant that not many people even recognize the genius in that statement. As for me, I’m wondering where the bus is going to stop next.

Lights, Camera, Zach-tion!

What a whirlwind weekend it has been. I was fortunate enough to hang with Titans O-Lineman Zach Piller this weekend in Madison, Wisconsin. The purpose of the trip was to shoot what is hoped to be the final chapter of his debut documentary, “QB Needs Job”.

The subject of Zach’s film - Jack “Rambo” Pickens is a unique individual. At first glance, you would probably think Rambo is crazy. I admit, I thought the same thing when I first met him 5 years ago in Green Bay where the Titans were playing a preseason game against the Packers.

He walked up to me at the hotel bar and asked if I knew Zach. (I guess he saw me getting off the team bus, since we travel with the Titans on road trips) and then went on this hour long rant about how the Russians were taking over Wisconsin, and how he’s the only one who could stop them. He then went on to state that he was the greatest QB in the NFL. Did I mention Jack was 56 at the time?

I try not to be disrespectful to people in public, so I listened to Rambo’s bizarre story. After 5 beers, Rambo (who doesn’t drink, but certainly led me to that night) and I went our separate ways and I never thought I’d see him again. As a matter of fact, I never even mentioned to Zach that I met him, because I figured he was just some nutty fan.

Fast forward to 2004 and I find out Zach’s making a story on Rambo’s life. At the time, I was also working on my documentary (that will hopefully be finished before my 2 year old daughter finishes college). Zach and I struck up a conversation about the finer points of first time film making and the rest is history.

What’s cool about Zach - people have no idea the amount of time, money, and patience he’s sunk into this project. For him, this film is truly is a labor of love, albeit one that he wants to see completed in the not too distant future.
If anyone has seen the 1999 documentary “American Movie” - Zach would be comparable to Mark Borchardt.
He doesn’t allow anyone to make a mockery of his work! (Inside joke for those who’ve seen the film)

As for Rambo…After spending nearly 3 days with this cat, I earned a new respect for him. He’s a compelling guy. I don’t necessarily believe every word he says, but he’s extremely intelligent, very well-read, and has a quick wit to him. He nicknamed me “Ferrari” because I have some scant Italian blood in me.

Zach’s wants to have the film completed within the next year. He hired Scott Simmons to edit it, and the rough cuts I’ve seen have been absolutely mind-roasting.

From football to film making, Zach’s the man. IN PRIMETIME!

By the way - we need to get Dwyer’s mug off the website since he’s no longer on board. It’s creeping me out. And while we’re at it…can we take the “e” off of my name?

Later!

Winning & Losing

I hate losing. I mean I HATE it! When I was growing up and trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life I decided to stay out of coaching because I hated losing so much. All I could think of were the ulcers and the sleepless nights.
Tim Corbin is the same way. No he’s not, he’s worse. He hates losing and got into coaching anyway. Nobody takes a loss more personally than this guy. That’s probably why Vanderbilt’s made such a dramatic turnaround on the baseball field, he simply won’t accept anything but his teams very best.
Tonight’s a tough night for the head coach. His teams run in the NCAA Tournament is over after losing for the second time to host Georgia Tech. No, it won’t help to point out to him that Tech was the number one seed and was playing on its’ home field. He won’t accept those excuses and he shouldn’t. It all comes down to two things, either you get it done or you don’t.
I think it’s OK to think that way, because he’s in the business of winning and losing. Me, I left those days behind a long time ago. I actually learned along the way that it was the competition that I loved so much. So, now if I go out and compete hard and lose I can accept it, I still had fun. For me it’s about testing myself. The only way I really lose is if I don’t put it all on the line.
Back to Tim Corbin. No one competes harder than this guy and his teams are always ready. I guess my point is, if he wants to be angry, upset, grumpy or just mope around for the next few days, let him, he’s EARNED it. When he’s done he’ll be back and better than ever. These have been good years for Vanderbilt, but I firmly believe the best are still to come. If Tim Corbin stopped thinking that way he’d be the first to say it’s time to move on and that’s why he’s a winner.

Hail David!

Just got done hosting the OVC Awards banquet in Nashville. I know what most of you are thinking, it’s the OVC and you’re not that impressed. Let me just say I love the little guy! The OVC is not the most glamorous league out there, its teams do not steal all of the headlines and they don’t get much time on ESPN. That is until they pull off the upset.
My point, you may not love the OVC or any of the teams in it, but everybody loves the underdog. When David battled Goliath I don’t recall hearing a lot about the big guys cheering section. George Mason is a perfect example. Who didn’t want to see that team make it to the Final Four? So while, I don’t get jazzed to see Jacksonville State square off with Austin Peay, everyone gets excited when one of them takes North Carolina to the wire. That’s the ultimate drama in sports, the unexpected and the feeling that anything is possible. In sports the bottom line is anything is possible if you dream big enough and try hard enough. Just a few thoughts and words of inspiration for you underdogs everywhere!!! Good luck and thanks to the OVC for having me, it was an honor.

Perception vs Reality

People aren’t always what they seem.

Last week I sat down with Dewon Brazelton. A Middle Tennessee native who came from nothing, and was given everything when he signed with the Devil Rays for more than 4 million dollars in 2001.

Things didn’t turn out so bright in the Sunshine State for the former MTSU star though. He struggled on and off the mound, and made headlines when he didn’t show up to Tampa’s minor league affiliate after a demotion.

Before sitting down with Dewon I read in articles he was immature, thin-skinned, flaked out, closed off from the media, and just too sensitive…Either the stories are wrong, or the pitcher’s attitude has gotten a major changeup.

He couldn’t have been more outgoing, open, honest and kind. The only correct perception was that he’s too sensitive. He couldn’t stop talking about how much he loved his son. How he’d go to the ends of the earth for him. And how he went into pro sports purgatory to make sure he’d always have him.

Brazelton was a no-show at his demotion because he went to go fight a custody case to see his son. He figured even if he never won another ball game, he wasn’t going to lose Dewon Jr.

Brazelton’s made mistakes and he’s not perfect, but he can cash in on the fact he’s a very good person, and to him that’s worth more than the signing bonus that put a target on his back.

Like I said, people aren’t what they seem. Sometimes they leave you pleasantly surprised.

I learned half of what I know from the worst teacher going. Experience.

Did you ever wake up and the day turns to crap right out of the gate? The alarm goes off at 6:00 am and by 6:01 you feel like having a Maalox Daiquiri? Today was one of those days for me. I’m not going to bore you with the details, but to say today has sucked would be an understatement. Fortunately tomorrow is shaping up to be quite interesting. In the immortal words of Eddie George “I’m built for it”.

Speaking of 27, the former Titans RB sat down with Keith Bulluck for a stellar interview. Eddie’s really coming into form as a broadcaster. It’s been interesting watching him grow. Jeez - I sound like I’m Al Michaels and Eddie is my Bob Costas, Jr. Eddie doesn’t need my help. He’s Eddie Freakin’ George! Anyway - check out Sports Extra at 10:35 for the complete interview.

A little about me: Although I work in sports - my life doesn’t revolve around it. Don’t get me wrong - I dig my gig and know I’m lucky to have it. But some days I feel like a waiter hoping to get the call back after the big audition. And for the record - I’m not a country singer wannabe, nor an actor.

David Lee Roth said it best in his song Experience from the 1994 album Your Filthy Little Mouth (I think it sold around 12 copies, and I bought 2 of them) –

“Is it art, or imitating? Because if it’s art, my whole life’s been finger painting.”

I know how you feel Dave. I know how you feel.

Until next time,
Tim the Producer.

Dwyer’s Beating Me into Blog Submission

As I sit here at my desk, continually being threatened by Dwyer to get onto the blog network, I have been told to write something thought provoking. That’ll take weeks, not the 5 minutes I have before Tim Hardiman starts yelling at me to get out the door. Actually, we’re in a rush to go interview Dewon Brazelton, the former MTSU pitcher who is in town throwing against the Sounds this week. So I have done what has been asked…. I am now in the world of bloggers…But thought provoking will have to be put on hold right now. Timmy and I have to go make tv magic.

A Whole New Blog

This blog, like many, will be a work in progress. We will add links to the site so that it will be one stop shopping. Bios of the folks in the office are coming so that you can learn a bit more about the people makes the posts. We will also be adding moving video so that things that we cover but get chopped down to a manu-second can get a full play here. As you might know, in the blogosphere the rules are, there are no rules. However, we like to play nice in here so any really mean personal attacks won’t be tolerated. Sara will be posting very soon, right Sara?

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