It's been awhile but for a very good reason.

It has been since August 9th since I last put fingers to keyboard for some semi-coherent ramblings. For good reasons, I assure you. This season for the Eagle football team has once again had its ups and downs. Good win over Albany with many young players in the Blue and White suiting up for the first time. Outmatched defeat to a stronger and more experienced South Dakota State halfway across the country. Then throw in the solid win over a less than talented Catamount team at home, then three straight road games at Elon, Wofford, and FBS North Carolina.

The Eagles go 1 and 2 on that road swing, playing poor at Elon, much better at Wofford and regardless of the 42 to 12 score, minus the 5 turnovers, they got better play from their offensive line and ran the ball better than any time all season.

Eagle Head Coach Chris Hatcher said following the UNC game that, as a team, they would start a second season with 5 games remaining. Considering that conventional wisdom says the Eagles would need win all five for a chance for post-season play, its a tough spot to be in, trying to reach the playoffs for the first time since the 2005 season.

Back in August prior to the start of the season, after watching the team workout in fall camp, I truly felt that the defense would be solid early but the offense would possibly need as many as 6 to 7 weeks to begin holding up their end of the deal. The reason for this belief that I still currently hold, for several reasons.

A sophomore quarterback who saw limited play in 2008. An offensive line that held the most experience but would still need rookies to step up to help play consistently as a group. A receiving corp that would feature an overwhelming portion of true and red-shirt freshmen. Running backs that would feature two sophomores, a transfer, and a true freshman.

Our playmakers so far this season reads like the following: Adam Urbano, Jamere Valentine, Patrick Barker, Mitchell Williford, and J.J. Wilcox. I wager if you asked every coach in America, at any level, if they would like their chances in the hands of freshmen, you would get a resounding, "no thank you."

I like the Eagles' chances this weekend against the Mountaineers and furthermore the rest of the slate including Samford, Furman, and The Citadel. However, call me an apologist, Kool-Aid drinker, sugar-coater, but I feel excited watching the Brent Russell's, Neil Harrell's, Josh Petcovich's, LaRon Scott's, Josh Rowe's, Darrius Eubanks', Dion Dubose's, Adam Urbano's, Lee Chapple's, Jamere Valentine's, Jonathon Bryant's, Pat Barker's, Mitch Williford's, J.J. Wilcox's practice and playing in 2009 knowing they have two to three more years in the Blue and White.

Take the time, read that list again, just a sampling of the young talent on this team, already making plays against more experienced opponents. We can still make some serious noise in 2009, and we WILL make major noise in 2010 and beyond.

See you at the Rock, (with that 2007 crack still in it).


CSB

Things Look Really Different...It's A Good Thing.

Spent some time on Saturday and Sunday out on the banks of Eagle Creek. Great stuff to say the very least. Folks we are just inside one month to kickoff, but I will go ahead and say that this team is downright mean. That is a good thing, in my opinion, the players out there this weekend in pads and gear for the first time this year don't like getting pushed around and they all seem to play to the "echo" of the whistle to borrow an alleged line from Papa Bowden in Tallahassee.

My partner in the radio booth and former Eagle Terry Harvin, commented in August of 2006 that the practices were too quiet, too smooth, too medicinal compared to the practices he knew back in his days in the late 80's. Harvin remembered a mixture of football, the WWE, and the UFC. Always fast-paced, competitive, energetic, and combative all coming together for a common goal, winning, and we all know they reached that goal more often than not under Erk.

If you have not made it out there this season, I invite you to do so, especially if you had gone to any pre-season practice over the last two years, it is truly different and again, that is good thing. This team is bigger, faster, stronger its like Coach Hatcher and his staff made a team of bionic men compared to the team that lined up in August last year. Coach Hatcher and his staff have a certain swagger and for the first time since he arrived here in Statesboro, his team has that swagger too. Each drill is attempted at 110%, each snap of the 7 on 7 or 11 on 11 scrimmages is full bore, the sounds of helmet and pad meeting are louder than ever.

Not everyone can get away with spending two hours a day watching football during the week like some of us and frankly that upsets me but nonetheless, if you can get by Eagle fans you will like what you see and you will be more optimistic for the possibilities of 2009. However, if you can't make it before September 5th when the Eagles suit up against the Great Danes of Albany, that is alright, I suspect you will be pleasantly surprised....

Talk to you on Saturdays,

CSB

I AM CERTAINLY READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL

The boys are back in town. The boys who wear the blue and white, that is. Today is the day that truly signifies to me that football season is around the corner. The 2009 Eagles report to campus today to get set for fall camp. The veterans know the drill, the newbies are wide-eyed and the coaches are chomping at the bits to get them on the field. That will come soon enough as they will take to the practice field on Beautiful Eagle Creek early Wednesday morning.

All of us, observers, will be drawing our opinions fast and furious come that morning and we will change those opinions time and time again before the 6 o'clock kickoff against Albany comes on September 5th.

More important to me, however, is that like all other fans across the country, this is the time to enjoy that optimistic nature of the football season before we all begin the overly-positive or negative feelings that come with early, mid, and late season.

It's a new canvas for this coaching staff who have the most stability and continuity going into a season since 2005. They have the opportunity now, for the most part, to count on the upperclassmen to show the way of the program's philosophy and expectations to the new young men that join their ranks this season.

It will certainly again be a young team, but it is more and more becoming Hatcher's team. A team, that I have no doubt, will become a mirror of he and his staff. A staff that has known nothing but winning their entire career. I have always believed that winners are winners, period. Does not matter the level, the classification, winners are just that and they don't like to experience anything other than winning. This staff is no different. Did they expect to win immediately upon arriving in Statesboro? Yes. Have they honestly been caught up in a program that need a complete rebuild? Again, the answer is yes.

We have a great young vibrant staff that works untold hours to be better, faster, stronger, than their opponents. Over time, the kids have taken to this work hard (practice, workouts, classroom)-play hard (Saturday on the field) mentality and we the fans soon will be the recipient of the fruits of their labor, and when I say soon, I mean very soon.

Congratulations to all the other FCS schools who have worked hard to battle for the top spot each and every year. They too had to weather tough times and make hard decisions to be where they are today. Good for them, I hope they have thoroughly enjoyed their rise and their recent ability to keep the Eagles off their tails, those days are numbered and we don't and won't forget.

See you on the banks of Eagle Creek.

CSB

Is it time for kickoff?????

The month of July is supposed to be a festive time of year. The time for vacations, the time for barbecue parties, afternoons by the pool, and of course the revelry of the 4th of July. But for me and millions across the fruited plan, it is the final hurdle before getting knee-deep in football. Just get me to August and the start of fall camp at Georgia Southern and across the nation. Oh, don't me wrong, I will gladly accept any invitation to hang out by your pool and enjoy your grillmaster ways, just let me know when and where, but I can't wait for football.

I truly can't wait to see who shows up in the blue and white practice uni's and what player(s) make a sudden impact and impress the coaches and those of us lining the fields at Beautiful Eagle Creek. I must admit, its hard to make heads or tails of how this 2009 edition of the Eagles will be based on fall camp and pre-season practice, that talent lies with greater and keener football minds, but I look for intensity and emotion.

But after spending some time thinking about the upcoming season, I put together my list of priorities or a must-do list as I see it from the booth for a sensational 2009 campaign.

1. Offensive line. In all honesty for me this really could be number 1 through 3 on this list. Mucho importante...In any language, this is a must for this team. Yes, you are right, no great football insight here its simple, this unit must be bigger, faster, and more cohesive as a unit. First to keep expected starting quarterback Lee Chapple healthy and free from devastating blows and to help Lee work his magic with decision making and passing talent. In this day and age of football especially at the FCS level balance is key and the O line schemes that set up the screens, slants, and posts of the world also must create space from a talented group of backs and hybrids at Hatcher's disposal including Urbano, Teal, Barney, along with some new names we hope to be calling very soon. As the offensive line goes this year, so will the Eagles offense. This up and coming group will now step out of the shadows of a great group who graduated over the last two seasons. Need big seasons from Fountain, Dunmon, Maxwell, Petcovich and the crew, no doubt about that.

2. I debated long and hard for this numerical placement and in the end I go for defensive backfield and for the sake of expediency, I categorize this for corners, safeties, and linebackers. Even though much is made of the 3-3-5 base, rarely last year were there less than 4 men attacking the opponents offensive front. Once again we will have athletic ability and speed from the backers and beyond, but we will need better decision making and less confusion and much better one on one coverage when that is required. We should be deep in all of these positions with a veterans who grew up quickly last year but how many times did we get penetration with the defensive line only to see a heart-crushing pass completion keep the opponent's offense on the field.

3. Defensive line, not too much analysis here, losing some great superstars in Larry Beard and Dakota Walker....We saw a more blitz style approach in the latter part of the year, don't know if that continuing is in the cards for this year but if we hope for any success this season, we have to, let me say again, HAVE TO, get sacks and pressure against the likes Edwards, Riddle, and possibly this new transfer Paladin QB.

4. Offensive backs....Boy this is a talent rich group especially when you combine the fact that some of our hybrid athletes could be put into play in the running attack. It all starts with Adam "Rambo" Urbano. Yes that is my nickname for him. If I am behind enemy lines, in a foxhole facing down incredible odds...I want this kid with me. Darreion Robinson is highly touted and showed why in the Blue/White Game. He has power, strength, speed, and the miss-ability we all love. Mix a little Barney, Teal (coming off injured season), and a 100% Zeke Rozier and you have the potential for a tough rushing attack for opponents to deal with. I have to believe with backs that run, block, catch, and flat-out fly....We could see those breakaway rushing scores we all love.

5. Since Hatcher's arrival in the 'Boro, we have all waited to see the corp of receivers that put fear in the hearts of DB's and coordinators. We had a great group of guys last season in Andrews, McIntosh, and Camp and now we are looking for consistency across the board. Again, Barney and Teal will be in this mix along with Tyler Sumner as a possession saving tight-end or large target wide-out, a few other names could add to a young but talented receiver group.

6. Special Teams...first off let me explain to my partner Terry Harvin that, in no way, do I put special teams last for any slight. In fact, in my opinion, based on last year's performance by Adrian Mora, Charlie Edwards, and Carter Jones puts them last on my pre-season priority list because their righting of the proverbial kicking ship needs just fine tuning and consistency. I had the opportunity to speak with both Mora and Edwards, (too excellent young men by the way), and Mora wanted to increase leg strength and distance while Charlie was looking for consistency along with added leg strength. Carter, don't worry we did not forget you, it all starts with the long snap and you certainly performed well. Let's all just hope that starting with these young Eagles, the kicking woes are gone for good.

I'm excited and as Eagle fans you should be too. Get your season tickets today and plan to end the dry dog days of July and replace it with Roger Inman's green, green, grass of home at Eagle Creek and at Paulson Stadium. See you on the banks and in the stands real soon....

And seriously, if you are having a backyard barbecue and need a beverage maintenance supervisor, just drop me a line......

CSB

I LOVE I-16

I just finished a week in Southern California on vacation and I can honestly say that I love visiting the city of angels but give me the east coast any day. Yes, the west coast, especially La-La-land is full of beautiful people, million dollar homes, and exotic cars, but they all have to deal with the most ridiculous highway system in the world.

After about 2 days on the left coast you get numb to ferrari's, porsche's, bentley's, and lambourghini's, they are everywhere. However, they have to fight the 5, the 10, the 101, the 405 and so many more highways that it is unbelievable. After driving the rental VW Jetta for a few days with my white knuckles at 10 and 2, my hands looked like I worked construction.

I grew up in Eastern Kentucky a far cry from Hollywood but the roads in the "famed" Hollywood hills are no different from the coal camps of Kentucky except that instead of trailers and run down houses with outhouses, they have million dollar pads. If you have never been to the Sunset Strip, Hollywood Boulevard, or Rodeo Drive, here is the joke. It is so much smaller than you imagined. Hollywood is a cesspool filled with crappy stores and even crappier people. Sunset Strip is crowded with ugly-ass billboards and seedy bars, Rodeo Drive is small and has a few empty store fronts, imagine my glee.

Everyone needs to go there and see how phony this place of legend is. I thought it would be a place of opulence, a heaven on earth, oh how far from it. Horrible highways, horrible smog which keeps the famed "HOLLYWOOD" sign covered up, and people that could not survive outside this false utopia.

I often complain how boring Interstate 16 is when I drive from Savannah or Macon. I can honestly say that I was never happier than when I landed in Savannah and could drive the I-16 home without looking in my rear or side-view mirrors. I will never complain again about the interstates in Georgia. Been there. Done that. Los Angeles, again, is something that everyone should see, but to be in awe of such a place is asinine.

Give 'em hell, Eagles!!!!

I must admit, that I among others was shocked to learn that Georgia Southern was placed in the NCAA baseball regionals out on the "left" coast on Monday. After celebrating the thrilling run in the Southern Conference Tournament and defeating the favorite, Elon, I had a little brief pause of "What???"

After a few moments I then checked the regional bracket and felt a little bit better. Of course, there would be a logistic nightmare of preparing a traveling entourage to trek from Statesboro to Fullerton, California located in Orange County just about 30 miles from the bright lights of L.A. and Hollywierd. The coaches and administrators had to check top to bottom to find flights on Wednesday to allow for time change, jet-lag, and practice in preparation of the opening game Friday afternoon at 3pm pacific time. I felt better, like most Eagle fans, that while the travel was rough with other regional sites in Atlanta, Clemson, Tallahassee, and even Greenville, NC, the Eagles are built to compete well against 3 other teams from the other side of the country.

Now I know that California is filled with incredible diamond talent, especially at the collegiate level, and that some of the nation's premiere college baseball teams reside in the West. Arizona State, Cal State-Fullerton, and UC-Irvine are all included in the top eight seeds in this year's tournament. The Fullerton regional offers the Eagles are great chance to advance to the super-regionals, and even a shimmer of hope of possibly hosting such an event.

Cal State-Fullerton, Gonzaga, and Utah will make very short trips to the stadium this weekend unlike Georgia Southern, but should the Eagle bats be ready to fire, things could go well. The other three teams are built with great pitching and for the most part, opportunistic hitting, station to station, "small ball" if you will. The Eagles will bring potential to blast the ball in a virtual humidity free atmosphere and if we can get the starting pitching that showed up in the SoCon tourney, we may surprise a few folks on how good this group of Eagles are.

The trip required two planes from Charleston on two different routes. The trip also required a 3 hour time change. I believe however, that Coach Rodney Hennon and staff will remind these young men that they have one of the hardest roads to Omaha and that could serve as a great motivational factor to remember how they need to take advantage of this opportunity and prove to the world, that baseball is baseball wherever you are or how far you have to go to play it.

Best of luck to Coach Hennon and THE GEORGIA SOUTHERN EAGLES in Fullerton and show the west coast what Georgia Southern Baseball is all about........GIVE 'EM HELL!!!!!!

Rich Bircumshaw R.I.P.

Last week, I read online where the radio "Voice" of the Colorado State Rams, Rich Bircumshaw died from a massive stroke at the young age of 54. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Bircumshaw when we played the Rams in football in the 2007 regular season finale in Ft. Collins. To say he was a nice guy is not doing justice. He was a very humble man who made it clear to our whole broadcast team that felt he was the luckiest guy in the world. He absolutely loved his role as the play-by-play announcer for CSU football and basketball.

We briefly discussed the world of college football, the great comeback by the Eagles in the 2nd half that day, and what a great part of the world Ft. Collins must be. He could not have been nicer and more down to earth, a rarity in my business to say the least. I learned of his passing Wednesday morning and immediately began to take stock of really how lucky I am to do what I do for a living and how ever time I put on the headset I should enjoy every second of it. The seasons go by faster and faster as each year goes by and that will continue to be the way it works.

Bircumshaw began his tenure as the "Voice of the Rams" in 1999 and just finished his 10th season this past March at the end of basketball. Only ten years in a job that all media reports say he absolutely loved. In every news report late last week, it always says that he enjoyed his work with Colorado State more than anything else. His broadcast partner for eight years, Brian Roth, said that when he put on the headset there was no better place for him to be.

Funny how life's lessons sometimes take a while to sink in. For me, I learned one last week in just a 10 minute conversation with Rich in a pressbox in Colorado almost 2 years ago. He loved his job, his life, and he loved his Rams.

We should all be that lucky............

CSB