This morning, on the final day of the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Convention in Kenner, we traveled to Thibodaux to observe the massive Manning Passing Academy, a four-day camp for prep quarterbacks and receivers hosted at Nicholls State.
We were treated to a press conference involving all three Manning QBs - dad Archie and sons and Super Bowl MVPs Peyton and Eli. They were as nice and funny and insightful and frank as you would expect. Interestingly, they all were in awe of Bret Farve's NFL record for consecutive games played and said in their eyes it's the greatest record in pro sports.
On the camp staff, which serves nearly 1,000 campers from 47 states during the four-day academy, were two Demons:
1993-95 All-Southland Conference outfielder, 1993 and 1995 Academic All-American and 1995 SLC Player of the Year Terry Joseph, who after a long minor league baseball career is now a college football coach at Louisiana Tech;
And current Demon running backs coach Matt Kubik, no doubt keeping his eyes open on prospects for 2009 recruiting and beyond.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Saint-sational
Bobby Hebert and Ed "Be-Be" Orgeron. They were high school teammates at South Lafourche and college teammates at Northwestern. They are among the Top 100 Players in Demon Football History named last year. They also have a strong presence in the New Orleans Saints football facility that we visited Wednesday evening while attending the Louisiana Sports Writers Convention in Kenner.
Led on a complete tour of the facility by Saints general manager Mickey Loomis, the LSWA group feasted on Drago's Seafood before walking a bit of the dinner off while visiting the indoor practice field (it's 100 yards), the golf-course like outdoor fields, the Saints locker room (lots of the young ladies took pictures of Kim Kardashian's photo in Reggie Bush's locker); the training and weightroom facilities and the defensive line meeting room that is now occupied by Orgeron, the former Ole Miss head coach in his first year as Saints defensive line coach.
Loomis was full of praise for Orgeron, who he says has struck some fear into the hearts of the Saints' D-line at times with his passionate approach to the game. As the LSWA group crowded into the room, it was ironic that former Demon teammate Britt Brittain was among us; Britt is an honorary LSWA member in appreciation of his service as a legal advisor for the organization. Loomis was intrigued to know Britt was a college teammate of Orgeron's and Hebert's.
Hebert is featured on what is the Saints' Wall of Honor just outside the positional meeting rooms and the team locker room. His action photo is right next to Archie Manning's. Britt couldn't resist mugging for a photo next to his buddy's photo.
Also joining the tour as a guest was former Lady Demon softball standout Margaret Patterson, now in the hotel industry in her hometown.
Loomis was quite frank and revealing in his comments in a question and answer session in the team meeting room. The fact that he and team exec Greg Bensel took more than two hours in the evening to be with the LSWA was quite impressive with training camp just two weeks away.
Doug Ireland, SID
Led on a complete tour of the facility by Saints general manager Mickey Loomis, the LSWA group feasted on Drago's Seafood before walking a bit of the dinner off while visiting the indoor practice field (it's 100 yards), the golf-course like outdoor fields, the Saints locker room (lots of the young ladies took pictures of Kim Kardashian's photo in Reggie Bush's locker); the training and weightroom facilities and the defensive line meeting room that is now occupied by Orgeron, the former Ole Miss head coach in his first year as Saints defensive line coach.
Loomis was full of praise for Orgeron, who he says has struck some fear into the hearts of the Saints' D-line at times with his passionate approach to the game. As the LSWA group crowded into the room, it was ironic that former Demon teammate Britt Brittain was among us; Britt is an honorary LSWA member in appreciation of his service as a legal advisor for the organization. Loomis was intrigued to know Britt was a college teammate of Orgeron's and Hebert's.
Hebert is featured on what is the Saints' Wall of Honor just outside the positional meeting rooms and the team locker room. His action photo is right next to Archie Manning's. Britt couldn't resist mugging for a photo next to his buddy's photo.
Also joining the tour as a guest was former Lady Demon softball standout Margaret Patterson, now in the hotel industry in her hometown.
Loomis was quite frank and revealing in his comments in a question and answer session in the team meeting room. The fact that he and team exec Greg Bensel took more than two hours in the evening to be with the LSWA was quite impressive with training camp just two weeks away.
Doug Ireland, SID
Monday, July 07, 2008
No better way to get back into the groove
...than to acknowledge the memory of one of our greatest, Joe Delaney.
http://www.ktbs.com/news/A-hero-on-the-field-and-off-is-honored-13827/#
http://www.ktbs.com/news/A-hero-on-the-field-and-off-is-honored-13827/#
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