Tiger roars rocked Atlanta Wednesday evening, jump-starting Big Daddy’s New Year’s Eve festivities long before midnight. LSU’s dominance helped Louisiana forget the pain of a dreadful ’08 as we rolled into 2009. This week, Big Daddy’s Saints Beat blog expresses residents’ sentiment concerning the watered down Mid-City bonfire, applauds Charles Barkley’s antics, recaps the Chick-fil-A Bowl, thanks the Sugar Bowl, evaluates the New Orleans Hornets’ season, and releases his World Famous Pregame Information.
New Orleans Fire Department officials imposed harsh guidelines on Mid-City residents to light their annual Orleans Avenue bonfire. New safety measures included: barricades to hold revelers back, excessive flashing lights from enforcement vehicles, firemen controlling the blaze’s size, and a ban on discharging fireworks. One brave young lady kept a great tradition alive by running around the fire nude; however, cops quickly tackled and arrested her. What a shame no one filmed that? Most participants felt that intrusive “Big Brother” demands stripped away more civil liberties, a small minority agreed with beefing-up police presence because it created a safer atmosphere. Comparing this year’s Mid-City bonfire to previous events is like saying Disneyworld’s lame Mardi Gras activities rival Bourbon Street on Fat Tuesday. If star and crescent badges give you a false sense of security at parties, Florida has an endless supply of gated community properties available.
Former NBA star-turned-TNT basketball analyst Charles Barkley was arrested after “blowing” a stop sign in Scottsdale, Arizona on December 31st for suspicion of DUI. Sir Charles is always straight forward, this was no exception. Barkley told arresting officers he had indulged but wasn’t drunk; explaining his indiscretion revolved around the amazing skills of his female passenger (not his wife) riding shotgun. Barkley suggested the “Boys in Blue” owed themselves a favor by investigating her talents. Genius! Since Barkley pursues a future as Alabama governor, shouldn’t he solicit Bill Clinton’s expertise? Who knows, maybe Monica Lewisky needs a job?
Back to LSU, Charles Scott bulled over from 2 yards out putting the Tigers in front 7-0; Scott Blair’s 24-yard 3-pointer made it 7-3 after one. Dominating the second quarter, Scott capped two more drives with short touchdown runs. Jordan Jefferson’s scoring pass stretched the margin to 28-3. Keiland Williams’ 17-yard burst sent LSU to the break ahead 35-3. Yellow Jacket players went to the locker room wondering if they were staring in a sequel to the 1976 made for TV film classic, The Savage Bees. Do you think Les Miles set the thermostat to 45 degrees before kickoff? Colt David’s 53-yarder was the only second half tally as LSU cruised to a 38-3 victory.
Utah’s demolition of Alabama in the 75th Sugar Bowl captivated national viewers. Traditionally, supporters of both teams invade the Crescent City to laissez les bon temps roulé. Sugar Bowl fans flooded the French Quarter in a sea of red. Vieux Carre proprietors performed miracles turning red into green by giving visitors whatever they desired. America sees college football’s pageantry each time a major bowl is contested. Saints Beat doesn’t want that magic to ever end. However, because the antiquated BCS decided either Florida or Oklahoma would be this year’s mythical National Champion; Utah joins USC and Texas asking the NCAA tougher questions than the Bush Administration faced when reports surfaced saying WMDs didn't exist in Iraq. Big Daddy and Obama know we need change! Constant protests against crowning untested champions will stop the day teams settle it on the field (like football on every other level—including Pop Warner) instead of following a computer geek’s ranking.
Though the Hornets are tied for first and compiled an identical record to ’07-’08 (20-10) through the first 30 games, team chemistry has suffered since Jannero Pargo’s departure to Moscow for more rubles. The Bees set a franchise record going 12-2 last January, matching that feat again poses quite a challenge. Lack of points in the low post means consistent offense depends on hitting open jump shots. David West and Peja Stojakovic must improve their field goal percentages to last year’s levels, otherwise reaching 56 wins seems impossible. James Posey’s arrival definitely helps, but Chris Paul can’t do it alone. Hey DW and Peja: CP3 needs you to step up; New Orleans needs you to.
Next week Big Daddy’s Saints Beat blog recaps BCS Championship game and provides a solution to solve college football’s dilemma. Log on to: www.NOSaintsHistory.com to find cool facts about our favorite team. Now Big Daddy releases his World Famous Pregame Information: — Take Baltimore and the Points —
