TankTalk

Ok, as a special bonus...the next 50 that sign up for Plus Membership, get a free table dance!

A wise man told me when I started this many years ago..."If you can please 3 out of 5 sports fans, you are doing a great job." I took this advice and believe it because fans are very fickle. It's a tough and thankless job and like the Answer said, limitation in space absolutely kills us (speaking for small-town newspapers.) Like other posters have said, it's should all be about the players. That is something I truly believe and hope that every sportswriter on this board keeps that at the top of their agenda as well. I have met MANY in the sports media who were doing it for one reason, to advance themselves and make more money. That is all fine and good, but speaking for myself, writing about our wonderful young athletes has been the highlight of my professional life. It has made me realize what I want to do with the rest of my life and I hope to be involved with it all as long as I am walking and breathing.

I say we let every team in the playoffs. Maybe then those under-paid T$$AA executives can afford to feed their families.

I don't want to kick the guy while he is down...but for someone who was going to change the face of receiving in the NFL, he sure is fragile. I hope he gets better, because his "Future" is bright.

Well, that explains why I didn't hear from R.T. then, hehe. Congratulations to the HMS coaches and players. I really hope they get the coaching situation handled at the high school, because the number of athletes Harriman has coming up from its feeder program is just plain scary for other potential opponents.

Ouch...that really happen Goose? I don't think I have ever got an egg threw at me...literally. By the way, update me on the middle school thing...I haven't heard a word on the score.

Ok ok, you win...it is very obvious if I got in a battle of wits with you, I wouldn't have a chance. So, with that, I bow to your intelligence and knowledge about high school football...you are the master. You are right, we should poke fun of and ridicule high school players. And trash talking is something everyone should do, because like you said with such eloquence, you only live once and should raise some heck. *Tank leaves to find an egg to stink on* [Edited by TankTalk on 11-1-02 8:04A]

Yes my life is very boring...that happens sometimes when you get older and have to pay bills. Did the whole Deliverance thing strike a nerve with you? Perhaps remind you of something?

Listen child, the only thing that upsets me on this thing, is when young men who work hard are made fun of. That's all...so type all you want, you are entitled to.

It is common knowledge that those who must constantly make fun of others...most they have never met, have a major insecurity problem. I think he needs therapy because he seems like a prime candidate to take out the co-workers one day. "Yu shore got a purty mouff boy..." [Edited by TankTalk on 10-31-02 3:32P]

I think it is high time we start a "Children's Corner" board...because it is obvious the popularity of this site has drawn in several who are in need of a diaper change.

For all those who think Ronnie is just in it for the money...check this quote the master of the TSSAA had in The Tennessean. ''Most people do not realize that on the high school level, the money from those five home games doesn't just take care of football,'' said Ronnie Carter, executive director of the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association. ''It's going to affect softball in the spring or volleyball right now. The two largest sources (of money) for most schools are football and basketball, and a lot of schools rely almost entirely on their football programs for funds.'' With that statement, I am sure Ronnie is looking into ways to lower the fines levied by the TSSAA...and also into other ways to lower the cost of placing team photos in the playoff program. Rumor has it, he may even take a paycut to help deter all the money lost due to bad weather.

Actually, I don't go to the movies either, it's too expensive. But, if you can show me where I am complaining about the actual price of a program...please do so. I, and others, are saying $375 to put a team photo in that program, is too much. Now, you tell me how much it costs to print these programs....compared to how much the TSSAA is making from selling the photo space and the program at the games? Then, you tell me if some of it could be lowered? Of course it could, but then the outrageous salaries at the TSSAA offices may have to be lowered. Wake up...the TSSAA has been making money hand over fist the past several years. And they have been making money at the hard work and expense of our children. I have been writing about this for many years and the program is not the only thing. Fining single A schools $250 for a coach getting ejected from a game is another of my gripes or complaints. Trust me, there is much more. If you can honestly defend all of their actions, then you either work for them...or you can't accept fact. But, this is just an opinion that is shared by most. I respect your decision to believe and support what you want, as long as you do the same in a mature fashion. [Edited by TankTalk on 10-24-02 10:57A]

Hmmm, we split the profits....buy a couple of bodyguards to protect us from the mafia...I am in!

Thanks for dropping the names Matt...that will help a lot! And Goose...my thoughts would have me believe his teachers retired about halfway through the semester, instead of spending an entire one with him.

So, you would recover cost by taking money from the programs? By fining them or placing extremely high prices on program costs? I am not trying to be combative, but people are entitled to their opinion just like you are. I am sorry if you see nothing wrong with the TSSAA but most of the people on this board have had years of experience with them and know that their methods need to be revised slightly. Plus, if we all got paid as much as some of their members did, I am quite sure some of us could come up with effective ways to generate revenue without looking like thiefs in the process.

Tennessee Tech would be the commute. Plus if I am east, I have family who can help with childcare, so it would be financially beneficial for me to be there. Tech's education program is very nice as well. Driving one hour to and from school wouldn't be that bad, especially if i just loaded up two or three days.

The title could be changing Orange....the number continues to go up.

I am not the answer, but if I was a betting man....I would say OR.

Still nothing. There is a job that could become available that will allow me to live wherever I want to live, but travel statewide. If that comes through, then I am without a doubt moving back east. As far as media jobs there, I have had no luck and I am just about sick of covering meetings and two-faced politicians.

Friday night? I am going to be in town and was wondering what the big game was this Friday for county teams. Plus, I can get you to buy me some popcorn.

I know I get to vote on this and this is the first year I haven't been able to keep up with things like I should. I guess this could be the first year in a long time I don't turn in my ballots, unless I can get some honest feedback from people I know on here. :confused:

I think Casey is full of it. Of course the offense would have been more productive, but Georgia would have probably had a different gameplan as well and exposed our suspect defense. Georgia saw we were limited, they got a lead and they then went into Johnny Majors mode. It could have been a different outcome, we will never know...I just hate seeing statements like this.

1) Where are you from originally? Roane County (East Tennessee) 2) Where are you living now? Hermitage (Davidson Co., Middle Tennessee) 3) What do you do for a living? What's a living? 4) Which school(s) do you support? I support all schools, because athletics teach us much more in life than most realize. 5) Where did you go to school (high school, college, etc.) Rockwood High School, MTSU and enrolling in MTSU again next semester. 6) If you have kids, where are they in school at and what, if any, sports do they participate in? I have a daughter who is 7 and a son who is 8 months, so no sports yet. But oh yeah....one day...muahahaha. 7) What other message boards/web sites do you frequently visit? Actually, not many at all...a few sports ones and a couple for online role-playing games...yeah I know..I am a new-age geek. 8) What are your favorite college and pro teams/sports? College football rules all, after high school football of course...what are pro sports again? Oh nevermind...that's where those guys are payed way too much because of egotistical owners. 9) How did you find out about coacht.com? My man Goose told me about it. 10)How many coacht.com posters are there whose identities you know of? Hmmmm, I am guessing around 15...maybe.

Hurt my friend, you have hit the nail on the proverbial head. These guys make way too much money. I feel officials are underpaid as well, which leads us to subpar officials. If the TSSAA helped pay, we would get more qualified people on the courts. In my humble opinion.