TankTalk

And you can have last blood ... mainly because, it's so important to you.

Bah, you aren't worth my original response to your latest internet tirade. I will say this, you have no idea about the situation between me and my former "friend." He would never have been on that Wednesday night show if it wasn't for me, making money that he turned his back on me for. Did the innocent one tell you he received about $600 for the Saturday show? How many times has he appeared? Yeah ... but I am the shallow one. If you have a personal problem with me, drop the safety of your keyboard and come talk to me man-to-man. No, that's not bravado ... that's me saying that I settle disputes in a mature manner, and if I have a problem with someone, I have enough of a set to say it to their face. The last time I saw your face, you were eating me up, saying how much you enjoyed the show. Talk about shallow ...

To say SF is "clueless" because he doesn't share your point-of-view is rather shallow. I have known him for MANY years (way before I came to the Oak Ridger) and I would venture to bet he knows more sports than you and I combined. He is, however, a bit misguided and needs to be shackled from time-to-time. It's probably that roane county raising ... you know how us Roane Countians can be sometimes. I have seen you get in "internet battles" before on here, even with me once, and you shouldn't take a message board so seriously ... life is too short. I will say this, saying that EVERYONE in Oak Ridge is happy with channel 12 would be like me saying EVERYONE in Oak Ridge is happy with The Oak Ridger .. making EVERYONE happy is simply impossible. But I, like you, know and support the heck out of Brad ... I have seen first-hand how hard he works.

You know Brad ... we could have done without a mention of the Chicken Man. His chicken head is swollen enough. (grumbles about making a 51-year old man that wears a chicken on his head a local celebrity)

Hey SF, why the heck do you have ... reporter in your name? Shouldn't you be down at the press stacking papers up? Leave it alone, Oak Ridge gets wonderful coverage on channel 15 on Wednesday night with David Clary. I have a few more weeks to do this Saturday show, don't get me whacked from that! Plus, no matter what, Brad's hands are kinda tied in some situations ... like I have said many times.

Well, nothing like getting back from lunch to see my name being used to get an opinion across. It's even worse that he used my computer and told me didn't log out to do so originally! I want to apologzie to Brad, he knows how I feel about his performance. As for SF, if you do this garbage, use your own computer. What happened with me and Wednesday night, has nothing to do with this situation.

Brad is a great guy and he works his butt off for channel 12. He is really in a tough situation, without going into detail, and doesn't get to decide who is on the air or not, in some situations. One show ... where a knucklehead or two made some bad decisions about their on-air content shouldn't force a few to hold a grudge against the entire channel. He does all he can and has a good handle on what is good for the community. But Brad and even the owner should realize you could put three monkeys and a tamborine on the air Friday night and it's going to be the most-watched show the channel has. It really represents the channel and you all build it as the biggest thing you have. That's why the owner should be a little more selective about who does it. However, I also know it's not easy to find people to come up there late Friday night and do a three-hour show, no matter how good the pizza is! Trust me folks, if anyone SHOULDN'T support channel 12 at times it's me. I do, however, because it is still a community outlet to get athletic programs more publicity and I really like Brad because I respect people that work so hard at their craft.

Last year, when Oak Ridge played at home, I would stop by and help out ... but I wasn't really part of the show. That didn't last the entire season, due to the fact that the hard-working people who were doing the show last season, and myself, just didn't share the same sports philosophy.

Hey, I love that channel ... Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon! No seriously, I didn't get to watch the show, was doing something more important. I would guess there was a lot of emotion tonight, with Oak Ridge losing its second-straight, coupled with the fact some people ... in Anderson County and surrounding areas get a major rush out of Oak Ridge losing, things got a bit out of hand. Local channels should be positive no matter what. I know, personally, the past few years that I was on the air there, I would make a point to try and build up the Clinton program through the rough times (by the way, congratulations to coach Shattuck and the Dragons tonight). I could never use my "15 minutes of fame" on a local TV channel to trash, put down or get joy from the shortcomings of kids playing a game. However, I didn't see what happened, just know I got a few phone calls about it for some reason. My wife got mad!

It was 27-6, not too close for an absolute war.

Shhh, I am working over here. Oak Ridge has no chance now, after the stunning McMinn loss, the quarterback being young and inexperienced, replacing a senior that was finally starting to shine, the Wildcats could be in for a long night. The past is the past, William Blount players know they have this one in the bag, I heard they are gearing their JV up because they will be getting playing time in the second half ... I just heard that from someone, who had a cousin, who was a trainer for a team that scrimmaged another team last spring.

Connor is a warrior and after he gets "cast" up, will be a huge asset on defense. His play at cornerback last year was stellar. As for the QB situation, normally it would be David Irby. Circumstances are such that young Tyler Clark will get the start at quarterback this Friday night. Paul Bingham would normally be on the QB depth chart, but his play at tailback is too crucial for that move. Jared Stephens will be backing up Clark. Things look bleak, Oak Ridge's backs are against the wall and now this, coupled with several key players missing Friday's game, make this assignment look overwhelming. But ... who knows. It's high school football and despite William Blount being an even bigger favorite on paper now, they will still line it up and Oak Ridge will try their best and never give up.

You are right ... it's just an opinion.

At the time, I was for the decision. My thoughts, Oak Ridge was a team looking for an identity and confidence. When you have a program like they do, going for two sends a statement. If it worked, it looks like a gutsy call and the coach is applauded. It didn't, some fans now point fingers and say "I told you so." I liked going for two, I didn't like running a play everyone knew was coming, but I am far from a coach and probably the person with the least amount of football knowledge that gets to stand on the field on Friday nights.

Kat, At this point, I will be lucky to even attend the game. I want to apologize to all the Oak Ridge fans and readers out there ... this week could be the worst coverage they have ever received since I have been at The Oak Ridger. I have no assistant and with my "issues" this week, I am doing all I can ... I hope I don't disappoint. I think McMinn has the best running back in the region, I think they are dangerous and I still think this Oak Ridge team has a lot to prove. I haven't been able to do much research for this game ... but here's to a great game and one that everyone comes out healthy.

I don't know anything, except I always think of Steve Grogan when I see them play.

I can't honestly say I do. But (there's that but thing) mistakes, bad tackling, not holding your assignments, can make players that shouldn't hurt you look like all-Americans.

By the way you fanatic, wear your make-up Saturday night, I am taking your picture.

Well, this team certainly makes mistakes, much like Oak Ridge has of late. By the way, I have no idea about injury situations with Heritage, most of this is pre-season knowledge after talking with coach Rewis. On offense Heritage returned six starters from last season. Their leading passer is Dylan Morgan, he has tossed four tochdowns and five picks. His completion percentage is a tad over 50 (all of this according to second-hand information, by the way.) On the ground, it appears three guys carry the load with Cody Lindsey, Bryan Wigington and Justin Caines. Wigington is a returning all-conference player and very dangerous in some situations. but all three have decent averages per carry. Caines also appears to be the primary target most of the time through the air. Heritage opened with games they were supposed to win, downing Seymour 18-15 and then Campbell County 29-14. The opponents got tougher and Heritage just doesn't have the program where it needs to be to complete. Farragut and Maryville handed them nice spankings. Heritage lost eight starters on defense, from a team that finished 4-6 last season. Clark Kerns (6-1, 225 sr.) and two-way lineman Jamie Lotz (6-3, 245 sr.) were touted to be leaders on that side of the ball. I do hear that they are capable of allowing teams to have huge nights through the air, so we will see. Oak Ridge needs to maintain some level of intensity, I don't care if they are playing me and my four cousins.

The worst part about all of this posting stuff, is not knowing who you are debating with. We should come up with a secret CoachT handshake or something, so we can know each other. It sure adds credibility to some posts. Maybe Coach T can sell super deduper membership cards with our posting names on it... heck something!

The back injury is from a surprising lack of flexibility by the young man, who I love watching play football and basketball. Talking with coach Stevens night before last, the first half actions were not because of the back. He said it wasn't anything bad, just sending a message that needed to be sent. It was apparent after he got in the game, his back was fine.

He was held out of the first half, but it was not due to an injury. His back is fine, he is ready to go.

Freshman and JV beat Powell on Monday. Frosh won 28-0, think the JV won 21-7. As for Kirkpatrick, he had a slight tear of the MCL, but he will be playing Friday night. There was no damage to the cartilage

Of course, some will say I haven't been here long enough to understand ... that's fine. But know this, I have been around football and athletics long enough TO understand the impact of losing close to 30 seniors -- and talented seniors at that. I do understand that losing a game to a senior-dominated Dobyns Bennett team is no reason to turn on your coach, after trying to preach "team unity" at other times. Do you all think the Wildcats looked at the calender and said, Doh, it's Aug. 31, guess we should get ready for the season? Funny thing ... I certainly remember spending a lot of time hanging out with them over the summer. Do fans have a right to question the coach? Sure ... of course they do, especially in a civilized manner which has been displayed. But fans can't have the best of both worlds, saying the Wildcats need to come together ... get unified ... become a team, and then drag their coach through the mud. That puzzles me. As for the Rankin question, when the job was open, the great one called and checked on the pay. The maximum that could be alloted wasn't enough, so he didn't apply. Hard to go after football messiah when he doesn't apply for the job. Coach Stevens, do I always agree with him? Nah. I do know, however, he has said from the beginning, with the lack of experience the team had, it would be week six to eight, before we would see what type team they really had. Looking at my schedule we are heading into week four (five if you count that week zero thing that allows some teams an off week before an important region game.) Let's do what is in the best interest of those who have worked the hardest, whether you want to believe it or not. The players ... fans should support them, cheer them on and hope that they do indeed show the improvement that will satisfy the mightly pallet of the Oak Ridge fans.

No, the linebackers still aren't Gods, compared to the Oak Ridge linebackers. Congratulations, DB earned the win, they were head and shoulders the better team. Surely you would have to say, the OR offense put our linebackers and defense in terrible situations, with the short field. But trust me, I have been around football long enough, picked games long enough, to be here to accept defeat. DB had much more fire, didn't make the mistakes and are clearly the best team. And that DB band .... wow!