Big news and another 5

Ok, this is probably Dana's announcement to make (and by probably, I mean definitely), but the combination of Dana's humility and inability to blog on a regular basis puts the task on her husband. So, here's the news: The Jacksons are going to Birmingham! Dana got a job as a proposal specialist for a company out of Birmingham and since they have schools there that offer Masters programs too, onward and upward! We are "pleased and excited" (a Sabanism) to say the least. For the time being, she'll commute, and when our lease is up (August), we're moving.

We've always thought of moving someday, and it's happening sooner than later (and that is good). Let me also, take a minute to brag a little on Dana. She found a job that she really wanted (not in development which she'd been pigeon-holed into), and did so in an impossible and historically bad job market. She did it all on her own, with no connections or favors called in. It's easy to talk about God's plan when things go right for you, but we've both marveled at the many "setbacks" that led to this perfect outcome. When faith in The Plan is fleeting, we will remember the good times and bad, and as John Locke (Lost, not the philosopher) said, "That pain led me where I am now, I wouldn't trade it."


Ok, Top 5 guys I'm not scared of in a big spot against my team(s).


I got to thinking about this last night while watching Kobe and the Lakers steal a game from the Celtics in the Gaaaahhhhden with the help of the unconscionably bad refereeing in the final 5 minutes of regulation and OT.


1. Alex Rodriguez: there is not a more un-clutch superstar anywhere who just doesn't get it. You know he wanted to be Matt Stairs for just one minute while watching the Series this year.


2. Kobe Bryant: a bit of a surprise considering what happened last night because he does hit big shots, but only 50% of the time and less than that against the Celtics. Remember that this is the same person who has famously disappeared in big games throughout his career. Does anyone really think MJ would have let the Bulls get beaten by 40 in the decisive game of the Finals or any playoff game for that matter? His fraudulence has shown up in 3 different playoff elimination games (2 Game 7s and last year's Game 6). And it was excruciating to have to cheer for him during the Olympics.



3. Carnell Williams: This is kind of a weird person to bring up, but I was never scared of him in the Iron Bowl. And that feeling was confirmed every November of his collegiate career. They (AU) may have beaten us in some of those games, but he came up small in every one of them, if he even played. And yes, his heir to the throne is Knowshon Moreno.



4. Ladanian Tomlinson: If I really had an NFL team, this would be more relevant, but he needs to be on this list because he's right alongside A-Rod in the media darlings who have no heart and come up small time and time again.


5. Lane Kiffin: I'll admit that he was the coach I didn't want UT to hire at the time. But after a few months, I could not be less scared of him. He's proving every time that he opens his mouth (without having coached a game yet, mind you) that he's not ready for this job or the stage he's on. The beauty of this is that all the UT fans are defending his every move and will be eating their words when Florida hangs 50 on them, and Bama beats them badly for the 3rd consecutive year. What a clown! I'll never have the disdain for him that I did for Fulmer because Fulmer actually beat us sometimes. Kiffin will go winless against his rivals which will be the gaping hole in his imitation of Spurrier.


The common thread among all of these guys is that they care too much about what the fans/teammates think of them instead of just ripping the other team's heart out and showing it to them. Give me the guys that enjoy the kill and relish the big moment (the only exception here would be Kobe, but again only 50% success rate). A-Rod hears the boos of the home fans all too well. Kiffin is too much of a people-pleaser to his own fans to focus on the task at hand. Carnell had the talent but lacked the killer instinct (and still does).

I suppose it would be good to give an example of someone who does scare me in a big spot. Hmmm.
Against Alabama, Tim Tebow, Darren McFadden, and Houston Nutt.
Against the Celtics: LeBron, Dwyane Wade, Greg Popovich (who would absolutely dismantle Doc Rivers), Joe Johnson, and Chris Paul.
Against the Sox, always Jeter, Vlad, Evan Longoria, Manny if he ever gets the chance, and Grady Sizemore. Just off the top of my head.


Join us next time for another sports rant that only Kent cares about. Or make it your own and apply it to your teams.