5-at-10: Friday mailbag

Friday, March 14, 2014

Gang, thanks for a great week and excellent banter here and on Press Row.

And we're on a clean slate - no 'outhouses' for anyone.

As for the conclusion of our initial Rushmore from Thursday, who knew there were that many excellent choices. We'll go Harry S Truman, Ulysses S. Grant, Fred G. Sanford and Jesus H. Christ.

From the "Talks too much" studios, keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.

From Jefe

Have the Vols done enough to dance, and why are you making a big deal about the Mocs getting in the CSI: Johnson City tournament?

Thanks for all you do. You da man.

Jefe -

We think the Vols are clear. The combination of the last two weeks, plus with Arkansas and Missouri imploding, we think The Conz and Co. are in.

As for UTC, the CIT is a big deal because of the extra chance to practice and the opportunity for this young bunch - just one senior - to get more tournament experience. It also gives UTC a chance at 20 wins, so there's that. And it gives Z Mason another shot, which is nice.

Plus, there was such a good vibe from this group this year that continuing that is a good thing.

If this is the best UTC can do in Year 3 of Wade, then may be it's not as big of a deal. (And we're expecting much bigger things in Year 2 of Wade and surely in Year 3 of Wade.)

But right now, in this year, with this team, it's cool.

From B.B.

Man, where do you come up with this stuff? Seriously?

My friends and I read your ramblings everyday and then try to catch all the random movie quotes and second how you do this everyday.

Not sure if you have a answer or not, but thought I would ask.

Have a good one.

Bob -

Thanks for the kind words and for reading along. It's you cats and the feedback that have made this as much fun as it is.

In truth, it's part of the daily routine now - get started some time around 6 and go. Not sure where the motivation comes from as far as the topics, and some days are more difficult than others. We started this little adventure on Oct. 26, 2010, and we've done it every weekday since, come blizzards, holidays, vacation or illness. That's 883 consecutive weekdays, which is kind of cool. (The 1,000-day mark would be Aug. 26. Yes, we counted ahead.)

When we first started, we had a 5-at-10, which was way, Way, WAY shorter than the monster we trot out now, and something called the 2:00 Drill, which was an afternoon update at 2 p.m. on the website. That faded away when the commentary started to take off and the give-and-take became such a big part of this little adventure.

It's actually hard to remember our days without starting on the 5-at-10.

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From Terry

My buddy and I disagree on something and we want you to decide it.

If you had a bet on a game and lost, would you rather get a tattoo or a piercing?

Thanks and thanks for the 5-at-10.

Terry -

Well, here's saying that we likely would not make either of those wagers. But if pressed, we'd likely go piercing. It's the least permanent.

And if the wager was really extreme, say like punishment and placement, well, a 'privates' piercing or a public tattoo - something like a script Bama 'A' on your neck - is an interesting debate.

That said, we're going piercing.

But speaking of tattoos, did you guys see the UK fan calling his shot with a 2014 national title tattoo on his calf. It could either be the best prediction since Broadway Joe or move into the discussion of worst sports tattoos ever.

(Off the top of our head, worst sports tattoos ever include Tyson's face tat and Alabama linebacker Rueben Foster with the big AU on his forearm. Others?)

photo University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women's head basketball coach Jim Foster smiles during a presentation made to celebrate his 800th career win after UTC defeated Samford Saturday at McKenzie Arena.

From John Proctor

Master J:

Why was Coach Jim Foster passed over for Coach of the Year honors? He beat the winner's team twice, the team owns an incredible home winning streak and this is his fourth trip to the Big Dance with 4 different teams. So what more does he have to do to impress the voters? Walk on water? Leap tall buildings with a single bound?

John -

Excellent question and one we asked Coach Foster when he was on Press Row. He said he voted for Furman's Jackie Carson, who won the award. He said he likes to look at who did the most with what they had.

That said, we believe Foster deserved it, because if you want to gauge who did the most with what they had, Foster was perfect in the SoCon without perfect pieces. He had good pieces - better pieces than anyone else in the league - but not perfect pieces. And they crushed it.

Also, that walk on water trick would help. And if he does that, then maybe he can swim in land. Hey, Chuck Norris.

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From Ted

I hear you and David Paschall on the radio the other day and I tried to call in but the phone was busy for like an hour.

Anyway, thought I would drop you an email and you can use this in your blog if you want.

You were talking - and the caller was yelling - about Scottie Pippen. I agree with you that he was a very good Robin (may be one of the best Robins ever) to Jordan's Batman but was not a legit 'A' player.

So I started looking around at other 'Robin' type guys and thought I ask you who is on your Rushmore of best 'Robins' of TV show characters?

Thanks and I listen to Press Row every chance I get.

Ted -

Thanks for the letter and for listening.

Wow, great question. And first we kind of have to set some boundaries. Our list is set using the true Batman-Robin dynamic. There are several shows, like M*ASH and Cheers that had the Seahawks model of talent everywhere, even if there was one lead guy (Hawkeye/Sam Malone) but a slew of very good role players.

And the ultimate definition of being Robin means the show would suffer greatly without you but if you tried to break off, Robin could not carry his own vehicle. That actually discounts George Costanza, since Costanza really is playing Larry David, who famously carries his own hit show playing a version of himself on "Curb Your Enthusiam."

Rushmore of TV Robins (excluding young Dick Grayson from the Batman series of course)

Barney Fife

Edith Bunker

Ed McMahon

Spock

Thoughts?

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From FanMan

Jay, I've wanted to write for a while but did not have a question.

Maybe you and Paschall could talk about this on the radio today, too.

What are the big questions in the spring for the Vols, Tide and Georgia? And the Mocs too.

Thanks and love you guys on the radio and your F-O-I-B column.

FanMan -

Great name, by the way.

We will ask Paschall the three SEC teams, but here's our answer for each: Quarterbacks. Period.

As for the Mocs, well, they start Monday and we're looking to have UTC coach Russ Huesman on the show today in the 5 p.m. hour to discuss that very thing.

Great week gang, and feel free to chime in on any of the above.

Spring football biggest voids to fill