Kickin' it with Jevan Snead

This is an interview with ESPN blogger Chris Low

He's the best young quarterback in the SEC, and his strong right arm was a big reason Ole Miss ended the season with five straight wins and now heads to the AT&T Cotton Bowl to take on Texas Tech on Jan. 2.

Jevan Snead, after sitting out a year following his transfer from Texas, had a stellar debut season in the SEC. He ranks third in passing efficiency behind only Tim Tebow and Matthew Stafford and threw for 2,470 yards and 23 touchdowns.
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound sophomore had a stretch where he threw too many interceptions, but he closed the season with 13 touchdown passes and only two interceptions during the Rebels' five-game winning streak. Of his 12 interceptions, 10 came in the first seven games.
The Stephenville, Texas, product is pumped about going back home for Ole Miss' first bowl game since the 2003 season. I had a chance to catch up with Snead for a Q&A before the Rebels broke for Christmas.

What were the growing pains like for you in your first season in the SEC?

Jevan Snead: I started out all right, but I went through a spell where I was throwing too many picks. I wish I had a couple of those games back, but I feel like I grew throughout the season and did my best to learn as much as I could from each game. I think I took something from each of them.

How big a role did first-year offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Kent Austin play in your development this season?
JS: I'm extremely lucky to be coached by somebody like coach Austin. He did a great job of preparing me and teaching me the offense and making sure I really understood it. He's helped me a lot as far as my footwork and mechanics. When he showed up last spring, he talked to me about the things I needed to work on and we worked on them together. There's no doubt that he really improved my game.

Did you know much about Austin before he arrived?
JS: I really didn't. I'd heard what everybody else knew, that he'd played here, played in the CFL and won a Grey Cup there, as well as coached there and won one. I'd heard he was a great coach, which he is.

What part of your game needed polishing the most heading into this season?
JS: Probably my mechanics. At the first of the season, I wasn't getting my feet right or locking my knee or not transferring my weight like I should have been. And a big part of my turnovers earlier in the season was my decision-making, just knowing when the play's over and when to call it quits on a play.

One of your strengths is avoiding pressure and making throws while you're scrambling. Is there a fine line between not giving up on a play and being smart enough to throw it away?
JS: I got in trouble by trying to force a few balls. Those are the ones you've got to throw away. But I'm very comfortable on the move. I like throwing on the move and feel like I see the field well when I am on the move.

As well as you guys finished the season, how frustrating is it for you knowing that this is a team that could easily be 10-2 right now had it not been for a few crippling turnovers?
JS: It's always nice to have momentum going into the bowl game and offseason. It's something that will carry on. But you definitely look back and wish you had a few plays back. A couple of those ballgames, we were only a couple of plays from winning them. Those were tough losses. But you take what can from them and try to leave them behind.

How much did Texas Tech recruit you out of high school?
JS: They recruited me pretty hard for a while, and I looked at them when I was trying to get it down. But I ended up committing pretty early, my junior year, so a bunch of that stuff died down.

Have you thought much about the irony of two Texas-bred quarterbacks, you and Graham Harrell, going at it in the Cotton Bowl? There's a lot of Texas flavor there, right?
JS: I'm just excited to be going there and finally getting a chance to play close to home. (Stephenville is about 100 miles southwest of Dallas). It will be great for the whole team, but I'm especially excited to be able to have all of my family there and all of my friends. It's a big game for our program against a really good team. That's what is most important to me.

If Stafford and Tebow both come out and go pro, you'll be the top returning quarterback in the SEC next season. Are you ready to carry that banner?
JS: I'm not focused on that and have tried to never get too involved with what people think or say. I'll continue to work on my game and try to get better. In this league, you have no choice but to get better.

After it didn't work out for you at Texas, what was it like to sit out for a year?
JS: Sitting out that year was pretty tough, but I felt like it helped me learn more about the game. It gave me a chance to take a step back and take it all in. It was a big learning period for me, and I just tried to take advantage of it and work as hard as I could. I feel like it helped me out. Certainly, it's not the path I'd planned coming out of high school, but God has a plan for each one of us and it's worked out just fine.

Has this team played its best football, and how much better will you have to play to beat Texas Tech?
JS: I definitely think we have some better ball we can play. We've played some great games, but you can always play better. No one has played a perfect game of football yet. We'll need to play our best to win this game.

How much time had you spent in Mississippi before transferring there?
JS: I'm not even sure I'd driven through it before coming to school here, so I hadn't spent any time here. But the town here is a lot like my hometown as far as size and feel.
What do you like best about Ole Miss?
JS: Definitely the people. I love the atmosphere here, too. It's a beautiful community and beautiful campus, and I'm just thankful to be at such a great university.

by ESPN.com's Chris Low

Ole Miss assistant coaches speak out

This is an interview with http://www.insidethegrove.com/

From Inside The Grove staff reports

Owen Miller

Opening statement:
The most bizarre circumstances in my life that I’ve ever been a part of. The accusations against Andy Kennedy are incredibly outrageous. It is incredible what has transpired. There were four of us that were there - it has been documented - the four assistant coaches; me, Mike (White), Torrey (Ward) and Bill (Armstrong). When it all went down, they wouldn’t even take a statement from us. We were eyewitnesses to the account, and they never took a statement from us, didn’t want to take a statement from us.
Have the police to this moment taken a statement?
No, never talked to the police. Never. They won’t talk to any of us. We were a part of what happened. Not once did they ask a question. We asked if we could give our statement. They said they didn’t need it.
In reference to the police report stating that Bill Armstrong was intoxicated:
That is wrong too. He was begging to take a breathalyzer test, begging, and they wouldn’t do it. Begged them. ‘Please, give me a breathalyzer.’ The reason Bill was emotional obviously was because of what happened to Andy. He was very emotional, as we all were. So, it is just incredible all that has happened. It is hard to believe that can happen in this country. Really is, and my eyes have been opened. I’ll tell you what I’ve learned. Don’t ever put faith in man. You have to put all your faith in God. You have to.
Why do you think the police haven’t contacted you?
I have no idea. By no means am I a police officer, but you would think you would get all the people that were witness and get a report and a statement of what happened. Never happened, still hasn’t happened.
How did the meeting Friday with Pete Boone go?
It was great. He was great. He was fantastic. We got back, and our whole staff met. I think him and Andy met before. They brought the whole staff in, and we went through it. Pete was fantastic.

Torrey Ward

Is it true that racial slurs were hurled your way?
That is definitely true. All five of us were there, and that (the racial slurs) is what started the whole deal. In which we all had something to say to him. It is true.
What is it like to see something like that happen?
The whole deal is ridiculous. Just from what happened, to being a minute thing, to trying to get home, to blowing up and basically putting our head coach out there, our program out there in a bad light. It all went kind of fast, and it is a terrible situation that is being taken out of context. You can tell from the guy’s stories that they all don’t match. There are four different accounts, and they are all different.
It was the cab driver that said the racial slur?
Yes, it was the word that is being reported.
Were there words back at the driver?
Definitely, but he was the instigator. There were verbal confrontation from all of us, but it was nothing in a derogatory manner other than, ‘I can’t believe you just said that, we want to go home, we want to get out of the cab.’”

Michael White

Statement:
The allegations are ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous. Shocking what has gone down in the last 72 hours or so. It is really unfortunate for Andy and our university.
Does this change the way the coaches handle themselves in public?
It doesn’t change the way we behave in public, because I don’t think we behave inappropriately at all. Were we out late? Sure. Are we out normally to eat dinner late the night before games when we have film at 9:30? Yes. Are most staffs in the country (out late)? Probably, I don’t know that. Most staffs that I deal with on the road get late shoot-around times. Film work with their teams and eat dinner late. It is very common. As has been reported by the national media outlets.
What has this done to increase the bond between the coaches?
We’ve had each other’s back. We know that. We are sticking together, and that is all we can do. We all have AK’s back. We’ll make it through it. We have enough to continue to worry about with personnel and beating Florida A&M.

Goodbye Texas Stadium

The Cowboys had a very disappointing end to a great history at Texas Stadium. The 33-24 loss to the Ravens was in front of former greats such as: Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, Jay Novacek, Tony Dorsett, Leon Lett, Roger Staubach, Bob Lilly, Randy White, and the list goes on. Tony Romo talked, in his press conference, about how special it was to play with all the veterans back for a final homecoming. Texas Stadium will always be a great memory for Dallas fans. My parents are huge fans and cherish the 90's when "America's team" was at its prime.

Here are some great memories from Texas Stadium:

1. Dallas 35, Washington 34 (Dec. 16, 1979)

2. Dallas 24, Washington 23 (Nov. 28, 1974)

3. Miami 16, Dallas 14 (Nov. 25, 1993)

4. Dallas 42, Green Bay 31 (Nov. 25. )

5. Philadelphia 27, Dallas 0 (Nov. 23, 1989)

6. Dallas 38, Cincinnati 10 (Nov. 4, 1973)

7. Dallas 38, San Francisco 21 (Jan. 23, 1994)

8. San Francisco 41, Dallas 24 (Sept. 24, 2000) - George Teague knocked TO on his butt.

9. Dallas 44, New England 21 (Oct. 24, 1971)

10. Green Bay 20, Dallas 10 (Dec. 24, 1989)

The first Super Bowl I ever remember was Super Bowl XXX when the Cowboys beat the Steelers 27-17.

Dallas' Larry Brown became the first cornerback to be named Super Bowl MVP, recording two interceptions and returning them for a total of 77 yards.

During the Cowboys time at Texas Stadium, they won 5 Super Bowl Championships.

Goodbye Texas Stadium!!!

Andy Kennedy accused of assault on a Cabbie

The latest on the Andy Kennedy story is far from what was earlier reported.

As he left the Lodge Bar, a bar in downtown Cincinnati, he and the Ole Miss assistant coaches looked for a cab to take them to where the Rebels are staying. When Kennedy asked the cab driver to pick him and his friends up, the cab driver refused because he didn't have enough seat belts to carry all five of Kennedy's group. The reason the cab driver couldn't take all five is because cabs only have five total seat belts, including the driver's.Then, another cab driver pulled up and told Kennedy that he would take all of five them if they would get into his cab. Next, the two cab drivers started arguing over the laws in Ohio for transporting people without a seat belt. At this point, Kennedy and Bill Armstrong, Director of Operations for the basketball team, tried to get out of the cab. Finally, the cab driver locked the doors and drove off with Kennedy and Armstrong. Kennedy yelled for the driver to stop the cab multiple times and when he did not, Kennedy slapped the driver and made him stop.

This is the latest from a source very close to Kennedy and the Ole Miss program.

After Kennedy and Armstrong got out of the cab, they got into another cab and attempted to get back to where the basketball team was staying. The police pulled the cab over and arrested Kennedy and Armstrong.

It was reported that Bill Armstrong was thrown out of the bar, this is false information. He was not thrown out of the bar, he was arrested by the police after being pulled over. Armstrong also had been drinking.

This is an unfortunate situation and Kennedy is embarrassed and very sorry for what he has done. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle of Kennedy's story and the cab driver's story. As the investigation goes on, Ole Miss fans obviously hope that Kennedy will be cleared of all charges.

Check out http://www.insidethegrove.com/ for more information on this subject.

The CA$H Man

This day and time in MLB, General Managers are having a tough time putting together a good product to put on the field. Some reasons for this are bigger than others but it is definitely something owners are trying to address. The owners are now getting more involved than ever with the teams and the front office. The main reason is money, they do not have the funds to keep good players around and they try to find ways to keep the players they need. Many teams can relate to this problem but not Brian Cashman and the New York Yankees.

Brian Cashman is living a General Manager's dream. He worked for George Steinbrenner for many years and now he will work for George's sons, Hal and Hank. Working for the Steinbrenners is great because they want to win and they want the General Manager to spend whatever it takes to do so. Most GMs have a budget, in which, they closely abide by. Not Cashman, he and the Yankees spent $240 million on two pitchers just in the last two weeks. CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett are great players but them together are making more than every player on the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Yankees are the greatest baseball organization because they refuse to lose. They don't want to lose ballgames, players, fans, or money. The Yankees spend money to make money and that is what it takes to be successful. As the Yankees move into their new stadium this season, they want to do so with a winning product. Not making the playoffs, is unacceptable to every fan of the Yankees and the Steinbrenner boys, Cashman, and the players know that.

Brian Cashman is in unfamiliar territory with the Yankees not making the playoffs last season. He has always put together a team that has a chance to win the World Series every year and last season is considered a failure to Yankee nation. Cashman will likely have the Yankees back in the playoffs with the additions he has made in the offseason. If not, Cashman may be looking for a new place to spend and make money.

Summaries from the NFL

Steelers 13, Ravens 9
In Baltimore, Santonio Holmes caught a 4-yard TD pass from Ben Roethlisberger with 43 seconds left, and the Steelers clinched their second consecutive AFC North crown. ( Play reviewed and overturned.)

Colts 31, Lions 21
In Indianapolis, Despite a litany of missed tackles and two lost fumbles, Peyton Manning kept the Colts on track for a playoff run. And he kept the Lions (0-14) on track for a winless year. (Colts are on a 7-game win streak and playing well at the right time.)

Texans 13, Titans 12
In Houston, receiver Andre Johnson had a career-high 207 yards and a TD to lead the Texans to their fourth consecutive win. The Titans could have secured home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win and a Pittsburgh loss. (Titans are struggling down the stretch.)

Panthers 30, Broncos 10
In Charlotte, N.C., In clinching at least a tie for the NFC South title and moving closer to their first playoff berth in three years, the Panthers prevented the Broncos from clinching the AFC West. Steve Smith caught nine passes for 165 yards and a TD. (Panthers meet the G-Men Sunday night for the #1 seed in the NFC.)

Dolphins 14, 49ers 9
In Miami, the Dolphins had possession for less than 22 minutes, but held the opposition without a TD for the third game in a row and helped their playoff chances. (Dolphins are playing good football and look to sneak into the playoffs.)

Jets 31, Bills 27
In East Rutherford, N.J., one big hit and one favorable bounce kept New York in control of its playoff destiny. With Buffalo nursing a 27-24 lead, Abram Elam sacked the Bills' J.P. Losman and Shaun Ellis picked up the fumble and rumbled 11 yards into the end zone with 1:54 left for the go-ahead score. (If the Jets can continue to win, they will be in the playoffs.)

Patriots 49, Raiders 26
In Oakland, Calif., Randy Moss caught two of Matt Cassel's career-high four TD passes. Cassel's sterling performance, just six days after the death of his father, kept the Patriots in a three-way tie for first place in the AFC East. (Patriots are in the same "boat" as the Dolphins.)

Falcons 13, Buccaneers 10, OT
In Atlanta, the Falcons' Michael Turner ran for 152 yards, John Abraham had three sacks, and Jason Elam kicked a 34-yard FG in OT. Tampa Bay blocked a punt with less than three minutes left in regulation which set up Matt Bryant's tying FG with 48 seconds left. (Falcons and Bucs now both 9-5.)

Seahawks 23, Rams 20
In St. Louis, Olindo Mare's 27-yard FG as time expired lifted the Seahawks, who broke a six-game slide. Seattle tied the game on T.J. Duckett's 1-yard run with 2:47 to go. (Both teams are playing for pride.)

Chargers 22, Chiefs 21
In Kansas City, Mo., Philip Rivers rallied San Diego from a 21-3 third-quarter deficit, throwing two TD passes in the final 73 seconds. The Chiefs tried a 50-yard field goal on the final play, but Connor Barth's kick was wide left. (Chargers can still get in the playoffs with winning out and a Broncos loss.)

Bengals 20, Redskins 13
In Cincinnati, the Redskins lost for the fifth time in six games, unable to keep up with one of the NFL's lowliest teams. Ryan Fitzpatrick ran for a touchdown and threw for another. (Neither team will make the playoffs.)

Jaguars 20, Packers 16
In Jacksonville, Fla., The Packers entered the fourth quarter with a 13-7 lead, poised to snap a three-game slide, but David Garrard directed two scoring drives that gave Jacksonville its second win in eight games. ( Two of the more disappointing teams in the NFL this season.)

Cowboys 20, Giants 8
In Irving, Texas, The Cowboys win solved a great deal of problems as they defeated the G-MEN in a tough NFC East battle. Romo played well as he tried to get the ball to his " Want the ball" receivers. The win puts the Cowboys in control of their playoff picture and the loss gives the Giants a lot to work on as they prepare Carolina and the playoffs. ( I like both these teams so I was in a win, win situation last night.)

CV

Most Inspirational Player of the Year

Many athletes in college football are praised, mostly for what they do on the field. It's not hard to find a tremendously talented player on the field. It is, however, hard to find a college kid that is equally as talented off the field but Tim Tebow is just that.

He spends all the time he can helping people in need. Whether he is preaching at a local Florida prison or helping children in another Country, "Timmy" is always doing something positive. His relationship with Jesus Christ is his number one priority and everyone can see that.

The commentators praise him, girls want to date him, guys want to be him, and children love him. He gives children time, attention, and even clothes. He can reach people because he takes advantage of his stage instead of getting in trouble and setting a bad example. He is somewhat of a "Superman".

Tebow continues to amaze me, in that, he is the most humble guy on the planet. Anything he wins or accepts always ends in a thank you or God bless. No, its not for show, this is who he truly is in his heart and people love him for it. He has earned the respect of all his peers and rightfully so, he is amazing. This world would be better if it had more "Timmys" and less "Jimmys".