Message-ID: <20772715.1075858127105.JavaMail.evans@thyme> Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2000 07:16:00 -0700 (PDT) From: matthew.lenhart@enron.com To: jay.reitmeyer@enron.com Subject: Its getting closer. Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-From: Matthew Lenhart X-To: Jay Reitmeyer X-cc: X-bcc: X-Folder: \Matthew_Lenhart_Jun2001\Notes Folders\Discussion threads X-Origin: Lenhart-M X-FileName: mlenhar.nsf ---------------------- Forwarded by Matthew Lenhart/HOU/ECT on 07/31/2000 02:15 PM --------------------------- Chad Landry 07/31/2000 12:45 PM To: aschott1976@cs.com @ ENRON, BGuilba@aol.com, Timothy Blanchard/HOU/EES@EES, BT1329@aol.com, bcambr@lsumc.edu (Cambre, Brandon C)@ENRON, Patrick Cannizzaro @ ENRON, Christopher Coffman/Corp/Enron@ENRON, DWillou925@aol.com, Dave Estorge @ ENRON, brooke.e.baiamonte@us.arthurandersen.com @ ENRON, FIJI4x4@aol.com, val.generes@ac.com, "David Greenberg" , Jennifer_Guste@breaux.senate.gov (Jennifer Guste) @ ENRON, Becky Jenkins @ ENRON, Jessinbr@aol.com @ ENRON, Jeff Coates/HOU/ECT@ECT, KrisLandry317@aol.com @ ENRON, Klandry47@aol.com, Ktlmsp@aol.com, lcentol@lsu.edu, Matthew Lenhart/CAL/ECT, David Marye/HOU/EES@EES, Jonathan_Matessino@mail.bankone.com @ ENRON, "Marcantel MM (Mitch)" @ ENRON, kbckk@aol.com (YOUR BEAUTIFUL MOM), Opossum721@aol.com, Jennifer.Przelicki@chron.com, jpelti@lsumc.edu (Peltier, Jacques C)@ENRON, Rclcerf@aol.com @ ENRON, SOffner24@aol.com @ ENRON, "Casey, Ryan" @ ENRON, "Clement, Tam" , "DARRAH, SHAWN" @ ENRON, "Jambon, Kristy" @ ENRON, "Jenkins, Jeffrey" @ ENRON, "Tankersley, Sarah A" , Amy Baier , Brother Harold @ ENRON, "stacey steger" , "Camila Pelaez" @ ENRON, Charles Ray @ ENRON, "Don Mayley" , "Chris" , Dana , "Danny Boudreaux" @ ENRON, dmayley @ ENRON, "Corinne L Giacobbe" , "Jodi Guillot" , Jill Allen , "Ken Kilinski" , michele beck , "Mike Toups" @ ENRON, "M. Mitchell Marcantel" , "Nicholas A. Danna" @ ENRON, "paula rangel" , Ray Latchem , Shirley Elliott , David Marks/HOU/ECT@ECT, Eric Bass/HOU/ECT@ECT cc: Subject: Its getting closer. If you get a chance read the article below; but if you need a quick summary b/c you don't have time to read the whole article here it is: "The Southeastern Conference is unequivocally the paragon of the college football conferences-" CKL SEC TRADITIONS A weekly column by Chris Warner Perspectives on SEC Football and Thoughts on the Impending Football Season I would like to kickoff this column with a few choice quotes from the annals of a most colorful, and telling, SEC gridiron history: "Southern football fans are knowledgeable, fair and loud. They are proud of their football heritage, their schools, and their teams. And they share a deep pride that goes with being from the south" --George Mooney, the irreplaceable "Voice of the Volunteers" in the 1950s "The true football fan pays no attention to time or mileage when there is a big game to see." --John Heisman, head coach, Auburn University "In Baton Rouge, the focal point of everything is Tiger football." --Jim Corbett "In Baton Rouge, it's not a law to love LSU, but the city fathers could probably get one passed if they needed to." --Charles McClendon, head coach, LSU "After so many years at a school, you become a member of the football family." --Bob Fulton "I don't care where a man comes from or how he spells his name. All I ask is that he be loyal to Georgia, proud of that jersey, and try like the devil to win." --Wally Butts, head coach, Georgia "Deep inside, we're still the boys of autumn, that magic time of the year that once swept us on to America's fields." --Archie Manning "Tradition is a rich asset for any team. Tradition and success are traveling companions." --Wallace Wade, head coach, University of Alabama The above quotes were excerpted from Criswell Freeman's "The Wisdom of Southern Football" (1995). As football season creeps ever closer, the avid enthusiast finds it difficult to contain the unbridled excitement and anticipation that bubbles like summertime sweat within their pigskin-thirsty souls. Football season is that special time of year that not only means the beginning of another healthy slate of competitive gridiron contests filled with spectacular plays and high drama--it's also the definitive rallying point for the onslaught of all the expected pomp, pageantry, and circumstance that goes hand-in-hand with the college game. In no conference in the country is this statement more true than the tradition-rich Southeastern Conference. The ongoing rivalries, the colorful histories and traditions, the premier tailgating, the coquettish southern bells in their gameday garb, the reunion of lasting friendships, and the competitive fire and spirit that accompany the game, all make the entire SEC football experience a very real, and visceral one--even to the most casual observer. The Southeastern Conference is unequivocally the paragon of the college football conferences, and the 2000 season figures not to disappoint the thousands of rabid fans that flock to the stadiums each week throughout the southeast; as well as the millions more who tune in from home on the tube to follow their respective teams. Quite frankly, SEC football has never been bigger, or better. The southern cultural phenomenon only continues to grow with each passing season. The number of fans, and the competition that they long for each and every weekend of the football season, has never been bigger or better. In 1999, the SEC again set attendance records for its games, and with the many recent expansions to existing stadiums in the conference, those records should again fall at the end of this season. Five Reasons Tiger Fans Can Be Excited About the 2000 Football Season 1. Lou Tepper is no longer in Tiger Town. Heralded by professional defensive coaches as a "guru" and a "defensive genius" prior to his arrival at LSU, the former Illinois head coach led the LSU defense to its worst two-year performance in the history of the school (1893). If you are interested in immortalizing the Tepper legacy at LSU for your scrapbook, copies of his book "Complete Linebacking" can still be obtained (at a discounted price no less) at most local book outlets. In Tepper's absence, maybe the Tigers will return to the days of coach Charlie Mac and the standout defensive units that were his trademark while at the Ole War Skule. Speaking of Coach Mac, I caught up with him last week at his home and he sounded as spry as a spring chicken. He told me that he is doing great and that he enjoys cycling in the mornings to stay in shape. Coach told me that he hopes that the LSU players have fun this year, because, he said, "...having fun is what it's all about. If you can't have any fun, you're in big trouble." 2. Contrary to popular belief, the Tigers are deep at quarterback. Preseason prognosticators have cited the injury to Rohan Davey as a core reason why the Tigers will have trouble at the quarterback position. They all opined early that both Booty and Nall had difficulties leading the offense and that the injury to Davey was a major setback to the Tiger offense. However, reports from summer camp indicate that Rohan is now within 95-100 percent of his normal range of motion on his knee, and in light of this it would appear that the Tigers are again three-deep at the quarterback position. The resurgence of Rohan is a tremendous boost to the team. Known for his leadership ability both on and off the field, Rohan possesses the true grit that wins ball games. I caught up with former LSU All-American and coach Gaynell Tinsley at his Highland Road home a few weeks ago, and he told me that he thought that Rohan's performance against Arkansas was the best he had ever seen by an LSU quarterback. True frosh Marcus Randall impressed in the LA High School All-Star game last week, but he is a likely redshirt with the logjam of experienced competition ahead of him. 3. Nick Saban. Derided unfairly early by most SEC media outlets as being "incompatible" with Louisianians' unique culture and high football expectations, Saban is easily the best thing to happen to LSU football since Kevin Faulk. A consummate professional, Saban exudes confidence and paints a clear vision for the future of the program. His presence in Red Stick has made an immediate impact on the program, evidenced by the recent glowing comments at media days by seniors Louis William and Fred Booker. Saban was also unfairly chastised heavily by the media for his inability to bring any assistants with him to LSU from his previous staff at Michigan State. However, Coach Saban recently aptly stated at the SEC media days that only a couple of his previous staff members had ever been "south of the Mason-Dixon line." That notwithstanding, you cannot argue with the fact that Saban has compiled a great staff of southern coaches. Tiger fans should find further solace in the fact that coach Saban has never had a losing record as a football coach. 4. Trev Faulk & Bradie James at Linebacker. All good defenses have a common trait--great linebacking play, and you'll be hard-pressed to find two better young horses than these two. Outside linebacker and pass rushing specialist Jeremy Lawrence is another super sophomore to keep your eyes on. These guys all have good wheels, and will put the leather on you when they get the chance. James' number 11 Faulk's recent acquisition of Mealey's lucky 7 will undoubtedly prompt many fans and commentators to make countless puns and jokes related to LSU's 7-11 linebacking duo. 5. Predictions Don't Mean Diddly The other day I was scouring through the many rolls of microfilm in the basement of Middleton Library at LSU, and I stumbled upon this most interesting fact: In August, 1958, LSU was picked to finish 8th out of 10 SEC teams. Auburn, which had won the national championship the year prior with Shug Jordan, was picked to repeat as conference champs, followed by Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Of course, in spite of the dismal preseason ranking by the SEC sportswriters, the Bengal Tigers went on to record their only unblemished season and national college football championship to date. This story should only serve to encourage fans that are despondent over the outcome of the past two seasons in Tigertown. Anything can happen in the SEC, and remember, the old adage says that "history repeats itself." Keep the faith Tigerfans! Until next time...