Thursday May 31, 2007

Thanks Mr. Gore

Thanks Mr. Gore
I get up at 5:00 AM every week day and on the internet before 6:00 AM at work. I then spend the next three and a half hours surfing the net while doing the morning show. After the show I head to my home office to write this blog everyday and usually check the internet several times between 9:30 and noon. I then check in on many days throughout the day and usually end the day by checking one more time before bedtime.

The internet is perhaps the biggest change in our world in the past 20 years. You can do anything on it now. You can learn how to play chess. You can learn about the Bataan Death March. Whatever information you need, seemingly it can be found on this wonderful invention. Unfortunately porn, gambling and other vices can be found just as easy.

Every day we are finding new stuff and new ways for the internet to be productive and fun. But yesterday I found the best way I have found to date. Someone posted a link on Tigernet to a highlight clip of James Davis and C.J. Spiller runs from last year that was on youtube.com.

Before yesterday I spent probably a sum total of three minutes on youtube.com but yesterday opened my eyes to a whole new world. How great is the world we live in that we can push a couple of buttons and see Davis and Spiller embarrass defenses?

So, yesterday I spent about an hour watching the two stars shred opponents. I loved rewinding and watching Roman Fry again. It was nice to see Dustin Fry one more time. How about the effort of Thomas Hunter when he blocked two FSU Seminoles on Davis’ game-winning touchdown?

But the real jaw dropping highlights were those of “Thunder” and “Lightning”. How lucky are we that we do not have to wait until September to see it again. We can actually push a couple of buttons on the internet and see it over and over again. Plus some of you guys are almost as talented in the way you edit them and put music under them. I can’t say thanks enough for the effort.

Davis and Spiller. How cool is it that we get to see it again in 2007? Who knows if Davis will come back for his senior season. He says that he is now but let’s cherish every carry. Let’s cherish every moment we have while they both are here.

Between the pair they carried the ball 232 times last year for 2125 yards and 27 touchdowns. Their 25 catches for 325 yards and two touchdowns were also impressive. But it was the way they did it that has me excited about 2007.

The videos had me wondering what was the most impressive moment last season?

*Davis thought about his hometown school for a year before he got revenge to the tune of 216 yards and two touchdowns. The powerful runs in the purple jerseys on national TV will not be forgotten soon.

*Davis had the 47-yard run late in the Florida State game to set up his game-winning touchdown in Tallahassee.

*His four touchdowns on 15 carries against North Carolina sent a message to the league.

*Spiller first flashed his brilliance in Chestnut Hill when he took a harmless swing pass and turned it into an 82-yard touchdown.

*Spiller’s electric run against Wake Forest slammed the down on the eventual ACC Champions in Winston-Salem.

*Against Georgia Tech, Spiller had two 50-yard touchdowns that included an electric run only to be topped by the incredible reception where he made two Tech defenders look silly.

*It was Spiller’s 52-yard run on a sweep that broke open the NC State game.

*The freshman hit South Carolina for an 80-yard run and a 38-yard gallop in his first look at the rivalry.

The most impressive? That is a great debate. Maybe another question is where some of these plays rank in terms of great plays in school history.

One could argue that the Fuller-to-Butler in 1977 may be the best. How about The Rod Gardner Catch in 2000? Treadwell’s field goals against Georgia? The long scoring plays in College Park in 1977? Woody Dantzler’s 2001 game in Raleigh? But Spiller’s two scores against Georgia Tech may be just as impressive.

The next question always turns to the future. What does 2007 hold for Davis and Spiller?

I would think that both will continue to be the focus of the offense but maybe in some new ways. I would think we will see both in the game at the same time. I would think that both will be involved in the passing game more. I would think that both will carry this team at different points in the upcoming season. But most importantly I would think both would stay humble throughout their success.

I think I read where youtube.com or some of its competitors are worth an unbelievable sum of cash but that was before I realized I could go watch Davis and Spiller on a Wednesday afternoon in May. Imagine what it will be worth now that I will spend countless hours watching this duo. Thanks to youtube.com, Shoeless, Davis, Spiller, Dabo for recruiting Spiller and Burton for recruiting Davis. Labor Day is coming but it may get here a little faster now. Shoeless, youtube.com, Tigernet.com, Davis and Spiller-my new summertime heroes.

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