Rock Candy: August 2006 Archives

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Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 18:01:40

JR and Henry's Sports Column: A look ahead

J.R. and Henry: A Look Ahead

It’s here. Football season is upon us. The Razorbacks are fine-tuning their game plan for USC as we type. High schools all across Arkansas have been practicing for weeks and with the long hot days of summer behind us, it’s time to play football. In mid-September a year ago, Arkansas was in Los Angeles gearing up for one of the worst beatings in school history. We don’t like to dwell in the past; last season was, after all, last season. But we can’t help but wonder whether the Arkansas of last season (the same team that scraped together four wins over less than mediocre teams) will return this season.

It’s no secret that Arkansas has some challenges at quarterback. Casey Dick has been sidelined with a back injury and because of conflicting reports from Fayetteville, and the closed door practice policy, no one seems to really understand its severity. We know that he returned to practice this week, but whether he can complete an entire practice is still yet to be seen. After it became clear that Dick was not in a position to assume the starting job, Nutt quickly named returning junior Robert Johnson as the starter. Johnson’s a strong practice player, but his play last year doesn’t offer much confidence. But he’s the starter, so now there’s nothing to do but cheer and hope that Johnson, in his fourth year in the program, has suddenly become an SEC quarterback.

There’s also good news that Darren McFadden has returned to practice. It still doesn’t seem likely that he’ll play against USC and the medical reports around the time of his injury appeared to suggest that doing so could do much more harm than good. He hasn’t put on in pads in four weeks, so we hope Nutt and Malzahn are not dumb enough to force the situation, but Arkansas coaches have done dumber things. We’re excited to see Felix Jones operate as the number one tailback. While he’s not Darren McFadden, he has all the potential any SEC school could hope for. CBS Sportsline.com recently named him a second team preseason All-American. Not bad.

The rest of the offense appears to be in tact. Damian Williams continues to emerge and will likely be the hogs number two receiver behind Marcus Monk. The offensive line appears to have gelled. The only question remains on the sidelines: what kind of offense will Arkansas run? We stated our enthusiasm for Gus Malzahn and his style of play. We’ve also stated that Houston Nutt needed to give up the play-calling duties to someone with a better feel for the game. It’s no secret that play-calling cost Arkansas the South Carolina game last season, and was a factor against Georgia and LSU. But as we know all too well, with the difficulty Nutt had even hiring an offensive coordinator, not to mention the rumors from the Spring, there’s simply no telling whether we’ll see anything different.

The cause for concern on defense is more with depth than with the ability of the first team. Particularly a linebacker, where the hope that true freshman would win back up positions stalled with injuries. At defensive back, Chris Houston and Materral Richardson are solid corners. But the loss of Michael Coe to transfer and Darius Vinnett to injury leave no experienced depth at that position. Many have had faith that Reggie Herring could build a solid squad with a little time (and a little less talking), so the college football world is about to find out.

The kicking game has been the other major area of concern throughout the summer. Nutt recently named a starter at place-kicker, but it appears that the position will be re-evaluated each week. A kicking carousel has disaster written all over it. It would be nice to have confidence when you kicker trots out for a 35-yard field goal. Dare to dream.

As for the game on Saturday, we’re confident of two things: First, it will be closer than last season and second, Southern Cal will win. Sure, USC lost Leinart, Bush and White, but they replaced them with high school All-Americans who were sitting on the sideline waiting for a chance to play. And those who hang their hopes on USC’s losses in the backfield seem to gloss over the fact that Arkansas doesn’t have its starting tailback or quarterback from last year either.

Arkansas fans will probably remember Lienart’s back up last year, John David Booty, throwing a late touchdown pass last year against the Hogs. As a high school junior, he was one of the most sought after quarterbacks in the country. But once his high school coach (who was also his father) was fired, Booty opted out of his senior year and enrolled at USC. And if he doesn’t work, Mark Sanchez, another highly sought after high school quarterback, is waiting in the wings. USC will have talent all across the field (even if they’re names you’ve not yet heard of). Arkansas’ defense will keep the game manageable for a half, but the Trojans, with their offensive power and better coaching, will out pace the Hogs in the third and fourth quarter, as USC’s multiple wideout set will cause havoc with Arkansas’ nickel and dime packages all night.

JR & HENRY PREDICTION: USC 42 ARKANSAS 14.

Generally, we like to keep our football talk local, but just for the fun of it here’s our preseason national Top Ten.

10. California. Some have called them the most underrated team in America. We’ll know on Saturday if they’re a West Coast pretender when they enter Neyland Stadium and take on the Vols.

9. Miami. Larry Coker can’t much coach, but he’s got a ton of talent on the field. Kyle Wright will be much improved and the defense is flat out good.

8. Florida. And Arkansas fans think our media is tough. Chris Leak better perform or fans will be calling for Tim Tebow. We love this offense if it ever gets going.

7. LSU. We’re not buying into Les Miles just yet, but he’s got all the talent to make a run at the national title.

6. Texas. Colt McCoy is no Vince Young, yet. That said, Texas is pretty much still Texas.

5. West Virginia. They did beat Georgia in the Sugar Bowl and their schedule is easy, easy, easy. They have one test en route to the Big East title They’ll need help to play for it all.

4. USC. This may be a bit high for a team that lost a lot of offensive weapons, but great schools simply reload. The Trojans have done that.

3. Notre Dame. They have all the talent to play for the national title. Defense and a brutal early schedule are the major concerns.

2. Ohio State. Probably the second most balanced team in all of college football. Troy Smith and Ted Ginn Jr. can flat out play. Early date with Texas will tell more.

1. Auburn. This is the most balanced team in all of college football. They excel in every aspect of the game. Al Borges and Will Muschamps are coaching’s dynamic duo.

Local sports aficionados J.R. and Henry will blog their sports column on Little Rocking on Thursdays and Mondays during football season, with the exception of next week, when they'll take an extra day, Labor Day, to recuperate from the USC game and file on Tuesday.

Posted by at 06:01 PM | Permalink | Comments [0]

Wednesday, August 30, 2006 - 11:41:06

Final Movies in the Park: "Grease" is the word

The last Movies of the Park of the summer season at Riverfest Amphitheatre is tonight with "Grease," starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. The free film will begin at about 7:30 p.m., and the temps are expected to dip down in to the 70s and the skies will be clear.

Bring all you need to enjoy the movie, except for glass-container items. Leave them home. Also, drinks and popcorn will be available for purchase.

Posted by at 11:41 AM | Permalink | Comments [0]

Talk sports at lunch downtown

Bruce James, the former University of Arkansas football all-American and one of the commentators on KATV's "SportsWeek," will join Arkansas Travelers General Manager Bill Valentine and local sports fan Rex Nelson for a discussion on Arkansas sports today at the Main Library's Darragh Center, starting at noon. The discussion is free; bring a sack lunch, and the library will provide the drinks.

Posted by at 10:36 AM | Permalink | Comments [0]

Tuesday, August 29, 2006 - 16:26:44

"When the Levees Broke" and Katrina one year later: A retrospective by Renarda Williams

"When the Levee Broke" shows neglect of poor and black people

Spike Lee's HBO documentary "When the Levee Broke," which ran in two parts early last week and in its entirety on Friday, reminded me of how felt watching the devastation of Hurricane Katrina on CNN. And here are my personal feelings about Katrina.

Hurricane Katrina affected me, as a native Louisianian, much the same way the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, affected my friend and Bronx native Adrienne Holloman. She saw the Twin Towers fall while watching the news in Atlanta, her adopted home.

The storm was nothing compared to its aftermath. I saw broken levees flooding the 9th Ward and other areas of the city. I saw hundreds of African-Americans ... left behind, stranded in their flooded neighborhoods, and treated like they were EXPENDABLE.

I felt helpless, especially when I saw dead bodies floating in the water and people on rooftops screaming at helicopters for help. The most deplorable images I saw were those of the hundreds of people at the New Orleans Convention Center -- hungry, thirsty, tired, sick, and dying.

The U.S. Coast Guard should be commended for picking up many African-Americans, and others, from rooftops and in the water. They were more effective than the National Guard. They [Coast Guard] worked everyday and night rescuing people. Former New Orleans mayor Marc Morial [in the documentary] singled-out the Coast Guard for a "good job" rescuing stranded people in the water.

Once help arrived to the black New Orleans evacuees, I wanted to leave Little Rock and head to Monroe, La., where I worked as a journalist and caseworker for a juvenile diversion program for 15 years. There, my best friend, Mayor Jamie Mayo, coordinated an unified command with the mayor of West Monroe; other government officials, the law enforcement and fire departments of Monroe and Ouachita Parish; and the Red Cross.

This unified command was organized Aug. 27 to provide help for victims of Katrina arriving in Monroe. Mayo, along with city council members and city workers, opened the Civic Center Complex arena to provide food, shelter, and services for evacuees. Businesses and citizens from the Monroe/West Monroe area also provided services during this joint effort.

Mayo did a magnificent job coordinating the help for New Orleans evacuees. According to his public relations director, Rod Washington, Mayo and his wife were at the Monroe Civic Center Arena and Complex every day, tending to the needs of evacuees.

Even though my wife and I donated money, clothes and school supplies to hurricane-relief efforts in Little Rock, I wanted to return home to Louisiana and volunteer. I decided to remain in Little Rock because if I had left, I probably would not have returned ... the pull would have been that strong. Louisiana is my home, not Arkansas. I would have asked my wife to pack up and move to Monroe. But I realized that God led me to Little Rock, not only to marry my queen Helaine, who is an Arkansan; not only to improve my financial status, but to fulfill His will, whatever it may be in Little Rock.

Katrina devastated and displaced more than 500,000 residents of New Orleans. Many of them relocated to 47 other states. Many victims faced post-traumatic stress disorder. While having lunch one day at a fast-food restaurant in North Little Rock, Helaine and I met Rose, a woman from New Orleans who worked there. Rose told us she had lost everything -- including her home and job -- after Katrina.

Rosa was happy to meet me, a fellow Louisianian. I commented to her that Katrina still has an effect on me....an anger I will have toward the U.S. government for the rest of my life. And only God can take that anger away from me. It will be a gradual process. "It has more of an affect on me because I experienced Katrina face-to-face," Rose said.

Although Rose was generally grateful to the people of Arkansas for helping evacuees get back on track with jobs and housing, she and many other black evacuees have been treated harshly by North Little Rock and Little Rock police, city and FEMA authorities. In addition to having been hurricane victims, they were victims of stereotypes that labeled them as criminals, lazy, and shiftless. Unfortunately there were indeed some "bad apples" among the evacuees. But every city, and every race, has its bad apples.

It's been tough for Rose. She went from a good job and home ownership to working in a fast-food restaurant and being placed in an "apartment" that, she found out too late, was in a housing project. But she's trying to stay upbeat ... and, when things get better,"I want to go back home," Rose said.

We both became teary-eyed when we reminisced about what we missed about Louisiana, especially good ol' GUMBO! No offense to you Arkansans, but Louisiana has the best gumbo in the world.

Besides the insensitivity, arrogance and naivete of President George W. Bush, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, and Vice President Dick Cheney and FEMA, the thing that angered me the most about the handling of the Hurricane Katrina disaster was the way poor blacks were treated before and after the storm. There was no legitimate evacuation plan to get poor blacks out of the city. They were abandoned and ignored, as if they were less than human.

Another thing that angers me is the fact that the vulnerability of New Orleans' levees had been ignored for years. In elementary, junior high school and high school, I was taught that the levees were not strong enough to endure a strong hurricane. Throughout the years, reports on this subject were submitted to the federal government and past presidents by New Orleans journalists, researchers from Louisiana State University and Tulane University.

The reports stated that if the levees around the city were not reconstructed to withstand a strong hurricane, they would break. These reports were overlooked. In my opinion [and I believe] that the levees were deliberately blown up. Black interviewees in documentary, who lived by near the levees, said they heard [bombs] exploding by the levees.

I also think the U.S. government allowed Katrina to demolish New Orleans; relocate poor black to cities like Houston, where there is already a large black population; and remake New Orleans to be predominately white.

I think the best analysis of Katrina was by Dr. Michael Eric Dyson [interviewed in the documentary], in his book "Come Hell or High Water: Hurricane Katrina and the Color of Disaster" (Basic Civitas Books, New York, NY, 2006). Dyson, the author of the best-selling book "Is Bill Cosby Right? Or Has the Black Middle Class Lost its Mind?" (Basic Civitas Books), clearly states when Katrina ripped through New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, there were hundreds of thousands of people -- mostly poor and black -- left behind to suffer the devastation, disease and death. He further points out that the federal government responded slowly to appeals for help from Louisiana's governor Kathleen Blanco, and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin.

Most importantly, Dyson talks about the problem that existed before Katrina: the grinding poverty among blacks in that city ... poverty that had long been swept under the city's festive rug of tourism.

I feel the anger by some of the people Spike Leet interviewed in the documentary.

I feel the anger of Jazz trumpeter [and New Orleans native] Terence Blanchard when he said "somebody needs to go to jail" because the government knew the levees were not strong enough to hold the water. "It pissed me off [about the flooding] because it did not have to happen," Blanchard said.

I feel the anger of Soledad O'Brien of CNN when she jumped all over FEMA's director Michael Brown for saying he did not receive information about condition of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast during Katrina.

I feel the anger of Garland Robinette, a radio talk show host on WWL, 870, when he said the government only responded with aid for New Orleans after Mayor Nagin became outraged on his show about the lack of federal government response for helping New Orleans.

I feel the anger of Cheryl Livaudias of St. Bernard Parish when she said "President Bush can kiss my a***. FEMA can kiss my a***. and the Army Corps of Engineers can kiss my a***."

I feel the grief of Kimberly Polk of New Orleans who described how her 5-year-old daughter Serena was found dead floating in the water with her "backpack."

I dedicate this column to Rose, and my fellow black Louisianians from New Orleans -- especially those who are voiceless and often ignored. Brothers and sisters, continue to hold on. God has not forgotten you....remember, we are Africans, a race of people who will never die! -- Renarda Williams

Posted by at 04:26 PM | Permalink | Comments [2]

Poison-ous?

Though everything apparently went smoothly at Sunday night's concert featuring '80s hair band Poison at Little Rock's Riverfest Ampitheatre, things were not all hugs and kisses two nights before. At the band's Aug. 25 gig in Atlanta, lead singer Bret Michaels and bass player Bobby Dall nearly had an onstage throwdown, with shoving, shouting and a flung guitar and microphone before roadies rushed in to break it up. Afterward, Michaels reportedly told fans in attendance, "You may have just seen the last concert by Poison in its current formation."
Despite Michaels' misgivings about the future of the 20-year-old band, he and Dall had apparently patched it up enough to play together by the time they hit Little Rock. Though the stage show went off without a hitch, our man behind the scenes — Market Street Cinema owner and dedicated metal head Matt Smith — said that the atmosphere backstage was anything but hunky dory. Matt, who traveled to see Poison in Wisconsin and Chicago during their tour this summer, said that they're usually the friendliest band in music backstage, posing for photos and holding extended meet-and-greets with fans. In Little Rock, however, Smith said that only guitarist C.C. Deville and Dall showed up for a very limited post-show autograph session, telling those in attendance that Michaels was sick with the flu.
"They are known for being extremely nice backstage," Smith said. "And Little Rock was just not the love fest that [the show in] Wisconsin was." -- David Koon

Posted by at 10:57 AM | Permalink | Comments [0]

Monday, August 28, 2006 - 16:50:34

The Mind of Matt: A review of Poison and Cinderella

Here's Matt Smith (he's the guy on the right who looks more like a rock star than Poison's Bobby Dall) now fully awake after last night's shindig at the Riverfest Amphitheatre with Poison and Cinderella, plus the fairly tame after-party:

The CINDERELLA /POISON show was ROCKING Sunday night down at the river. I
need to send out an EXTRA special thanks to Jeff Allen & Dennis Allen as well as the entire crew from THE POINT 94.1 FM. The point does ROCK when
it comes to classic rock in Little Rock! (Yes, I was going for a rock
record in that last sentence.) The pit passes and backstage passes
courtesy of the radio station truly was the hook up! Thank you! I also
must mention my boy Big Jake. Thank you so much for keeping a lid on
things and keeping the drunks off the girls. I thank you! The girls thank
you!

CINDERELLA
This was the last stop for these boys on the tour. They have done a great
job all summer. We had seen them @ ROCK FEST on July 23rd. The show time
was 4 pm. It was too hot and too early. The Little Rock show was much
better, due to the show starting in the evening. I really wish the critics
and people that don’t listen to this music would get a clue. “Hair Band”
doesn’t really describe the music they play. Their entire catalog of work
is all based on blues. The blues riffs and under current are there.
LISTEN; don’t just look at the clothes they wear. The energy level of the
band was way up and they put on a good show. They always close with “Shake
Me” and are friendly with the crowd through out the show. Tom Keifer
mentioned problems with his voice. He has sounded that way through out
this entire tour. He also apologized during the show at Chicago’s Tinley
Park. We saw that show on June 21st. The Chicago show had a better
performance, but the venue really helped. Tinley Park is not as great an
amphitheater as Red Rocks, but it is a good venue. The guys in Cinderella
were very nice during the meet and greet back stage.

POISON
They are the true definition of clean and sober Rock & Roll. This set is
EXACTLY the same each and every gig. You get what you pay for with this
band. The songs sound like the albums, the words are correct and the show
is put on. Little Rock, Memphis, Wisconsin, Chicago – all the same. It is
like watching a well-rehearsed play. But, hey isn’t that why a Poison fan
buys the ticket? There isn’t the drunk falling around, falling down and
slurring words mistakes of say a Motley Crue show! Nice, clean, bubble
gum Rock and Roll. This is the way most girls like it. We aren’t talking
Bon Jovi here, but close. Bon Jovi is just a breath away from pop music.
The songs were great and back stage the pleasantness continued. The band
was very sweet to all of the ladies. The guys were patient about photos and
signing. We were given drumsticks, guitar picks, and photos, drum skins.
The band autographed all of it. There was no smoking back stage and no
drinking. This was a meet and greet event instead of a backstage party.
If you want reliable rock, this is the band. “Talk Dirty To Me” is the
last song played, but it isn’t happening after the show. These guys are
being polite and getting on the bus. It is thank you, and good night! We
got to see Bret Michaels after the show in Chicago and Wisconsin, however
he didn’t hand out in Little Rock. I am sure it has been a long hot summer
for them. The new single is “American Band” which is a cover of the
classic Grand Funk Railroad song. It still pays tribute to Little Rock.
The album is “ The Best Of Poison 20 Years Of Rock.” I am sure most of the
people at the concert already have it.

“Look What The Cat Dragged In” -- Matt Smith

Posted by at 04:50 PM | Permalink | Comments [1]

KATV promotes Sullivan, will open Fayetteville bureau

In a move that surprises no one, KATV announced this morning that Steve Sullivan would be the station's new sport director. Sullivan, who joined the station seven years ago from KARK, where he was the lead sports anchor there, takes over for Paul Eells, who was killed in a car accident July 31. It's common knowledge around the local TV industry that Sullivan was doing all the main "sports director" work in terms of setting up interviews and running the day-to-day at KATV for Eells the past few years.

Eells, as well as Sullivan, would also have to commute to Fayetteville regularly to cover the Razorbacks. In fact, Eells was returning from Fayetteville on July 31 after covering a Houston Nutt sponsored golf tournament and press conference about Hog tailback Darren McFadden's toe injury when he was killed.

KATV announced today that it would open a permanent bureau in Fayetteville, meaning they'll man it with a full-time sports anchor that will compete with the "Razorback Nation" crew that covers the Hogs for KARK, Channel 4. Rusty Jackson, a news reporter, will fill that new role for KATV.

KATV's move seems to indicate it will attempt to remain a player in control over who is "Voice of the Razorbacks" when that position is permanently filled next year. Fayetteville-based Mike Nail will be the temporary football replacement for Eells this season, and Nail is the basketball voice of the Razorbacks. KATV's lead sports anchor covering the Razorbacks has been considered the "Voice" of the team since Bud Campbell switched from KARK to KATV in 1965.

Sullivan, who has been in the business for 20 years, is host for KATV's "Sports Week" and its "Friday Night Touchdowns" high school football recap shows. He's a two-time Arkansas Sportscaster of the Year, voted on by his peers.

Here's more from KATV's press release:

“KATV has been the home of the Arkansas Razorbacks for the past 40 years,” KATV President and General Manager Dale Nicholson says, “and we are proud to continue that history of award winning Razorback coverage with Steve Sullivan.”
“Paul Eells can never be replaced, but I am honored for the opportunity to walk in his footsteps and continue KATV’s dedication to the Hogs,” says Sullivan.
Channel Seven Sports will also carry on the legacy of sports excellence by opening a full-time bureau in Fayetteville, dedicated to daily Razorback reports. Hog Central will be led by KATV reporter and former sports anchor-reporter Rusty Jackson.
“As an Arkansas native, I grew up a fan of KATV’s Razorback coverage and I am excited to be a part of it,” says Jackson.
Jackson is no stranger to the Razorbacks. He is a University of Arkansas graduate and spent more than two years covering the Razorbacks as a sports anchor and reporter in northwest Arkansas. Ironically, Jackson’s first assignment will not be in Fayetteville. He is in Los Angeles today covering USC’s preparations for Saturday’s game against Arkansas.
News Director Randy Dixon says he is excited about the new opportunities that the bureau will allow, “The close proximity to the Hog headquarters will increase the scope of our coverage, but it will not be limited to the state. We’ll go wherever the Hogs take us.”

Posted by at 09:48 AM | Permalink | Comments [0]