Greg_Gaston's Blog

MEMPHIS AND THE ENTIRE MID-SOUTH LOST A LEGENDARY FIGURE WITH THE RECENT PASSING OF JAKE RUDOLPH.

IN HIS 39 YEARS AS THE HEAD FOOTBALL COACH AT MUS, RUDOLPH'S TEAMS WON 295 GAMES, INCLUDING A STATE TITLE IN 1985, AND TWO RUNNER-UP FINISHES. MORE IMPORTANTLY RUDOLPH TAUGHT LIFE LESSONS TO HIS PLAYERS AND HIS STUDENTS.

HE STRESSED DISCIPLINE, LEADERSHIP AND INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY. ALL VIRTUES HE LEARNED FROM THE GREAT BOBBY DODD, WHO COACHED RUDOLPH AT GEORGIA TECH DURING UNDEFEATED SEASONS IN 1951 AND 1952.

RUDOLPH FIRST TOOK THE REIGNS OF THE TEAM, AND THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT, IN 1959, REPLACING GENE THORN. HE REMAINED COACH OF THE OWLS UNTIL 1997 WHEN HE IN TURN HANDED OVER CONTROL OF THE TEAM TO BOBBY ALSTON, HIS LONG TIME ASSISTANT WHO STILL RUNS THE PROGRAM TODAY.

RUDOLPH HAD AMPLE OPPORTUNITES TO MOVE INTO THE COLLEGE COACHING RANKS, BUT IN THE END, THOUGHT HIS GREATEST IMPACT WOULD BE FELT BY YOUNG MEN AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL. HE OFTEN WAS ABLE TO GET THE BEST OUT OF HIS PLAYERS, EVEN THOSE WHO MAY NOT HAVE BEEN AS GIFTED ATHLETICALLY AS OTHERS.

THE TEACHINGS OF RUDOLPH CAN STILL BE SEEN IN THE WORK OF ALSTON, WHO IS ALSO REGARDED AS ONE OF THE MID-SOUTHS TOP FOOTBALL MINDS.

JAKE RUDOLPH HAS DEFINATELY LEFT HIS LEGACY AT MUS, AND THE PROGRAM, SCHOOL AND CITY, ARE ALL THE BETTER FOR IT.

So by now you have likely heard the rumblings that Brett Favre may want back in the NFL. I should not be surprised by this move having been repeatedly ridiculed by my radio partner Eli Savoie for actually believing Favre was truely serious about ending his career. Now comes word that upon the urging of family members he has an "itch" to play again.

Call me simple for actually believing someone's word, but this is pathetic. I know everyone has the right to change their mind, but this news can end up being a real bad thing. Think about Favre's successor Aaron Rodgers who is ready to step in and show the Green Bay Packers that he is quite capable of leading the team. Think of his kids who get Daddy back full time, only to discover dad's got better things to do. (Let's remember this is not something he's doing for the money).

My stance has always been once you retire, you stay retired. Now the meaning of the word has become diluted. Athletes today almost feel a need to retire and return at least once. Reportedly Favre has spoken with Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy but not beyond the preliminary stage. A team spokesperson said the Packers would be reluctant to open the door for Favre because he retired for the right reasons. They also probably feel his return could rock the boat, and who knows what it would do to retard the growth of Rodgers. In addition, Favre's agent says as far as he is concerned the future hall of famer is retired, unless he hears differently.

The bottom line is I like all that Favre stands for........He's dedicated to his craft, he's a team player with a capital "T", and he's a very good family man. Now it's time for the legend to conclude. A return may look good on the surface, but likely will prove to be a mistake. Remember Michael Jordan's return?

HATS OFF TO MICHAEL HEISLEY, CHRIS WALLACE, MARC IAVARONI AND THE ENTIRE GRIZZLIES ORGANIZATION. LIKE IT OR NOT, AND MOST PEOPLE LIKE IT, THE TEAM MADE PLENTY OF NOISE IN LAST NIGHT'S DRAFT, MOSTLY AFTER THE DRAFT HAD WRAPPED UP.

THE GRIZZLIES SHOWED AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY, WHO QUITE RANKLY HAVE GROWN INDIFFERENT ABOUT THE TEAM, THAT DESPITE ALL THE NAYSAYERS THEY COULD BRING SOME EXCITEMENT BACK TO THE FRANCHISE.

BY ACQUIRING O.J. MAYO, THE TEAM GETS IN MY OPINION, THE ONLY OTHER PLAYER IN THIS DRAFT BESIDES ROSE AND BEASELY WHO IS MARKETABLE. THEY ALSO CAN BEGIN TO DO WHAT COACH IAVARONI WANTS TO DO, AND THAT'S PUSH IT UP THE COURT. THUS THE NEW MONIKER...RUN G.M.C. (FOR GAY, MAYO AND CONLEY).

THROUGH HARD WORK AND PERSEVERANCE, THE GRIZZ ALSO PICKED UP A PROMISING POWER FORWARD IN DARREL ARTHUR FROM KANSAS. A GUY WHO SLIPPED IN THE DRAFT BECAUSE OF BAD INFORMATION ABOUT A KIDNEY ISSUE.

LOOK, I UNDERSTAND TIGERS FANS ARE UPSET THAT THE GRIZ PASSED ON CHRIS DOUGLAS-ROBERTS AT NUMBER 28, BUT CHOOSING DONTA GREEN ALLOWED THEM TO TRADE FOR ARTHUR. THE GRIZZLIES NEED TO DO WHAT'S BEST FOR THEM AND NOT TRY TO APPEASE LOCALS BECAUSE THEY WOULD LOVE TO SEE A MEMPHIS PRODUCT PLAY AT HOME. CDR'S FALL TO 40TH WAS EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING, BUT THERE'S NO DOUBT IN MY OPINION HE WILL FIND HIS NITCH IN NEW JERSEY.

AS FOR THE GRIZZLIES, FANS ARE SMILING, MORE TICKETS WILL BE SOLD, AND WHILE THEIR STILL A YEAR OR TWO AWAY FROM PLAYOFF CONTENTION, THIS TEAM WILL COMPETE AND BE FUN TO WATCH.

SO HERE, HERE TO THE GRIZZLIES

The NBA Draft takes place Thursday, and for what it's worth, here's my prediction for the Top 10.........

1) Chicago-Derrick Rose  (They can't pass on him despite Kirk Hinrich inked for 5 more years)

2) Miami-Michael Beasley (Rumors are swirling that Pat Riley would like to trade the pick for the right package. I'll believe it when I see it)

3) Minnesota-O.J. Mayo (Early predictins had the T-Wolves taking Brook Lopez, but there's no way they pass up on the athletic Mayo)

4) Seattle-Jerryd Bayless (this one is tough. Russell Westbrook is the hot name but I think the Sonics can use a scoring guard

5) Memphis-Kevin Love (The Grizzlies could surprise cand trade, but I think when push comes to shove, they'll go with the safe choice. Eric Gordon is rumored to be in the picture, but unless Mike Miller is dealt, I don't see it.

6) New York-Russell Westbrook (The Knicks are known for doing some weird things...Renaldo Balkman? Look for them to pass up on Gordon and Danillo Gallinari and select the talented Mr. Westbrook)

7) L.A. Clippers-Eric Gordon (I think the Clips end up making a deal, however if they keep the pick, they'll take sharpshooter Eric Gordon)

8) Milwaukee-Joe Alexander (The Bucks love this kid and his work ethic. He's the pick as they will go American after a couple of foreign choices the past few years)

9) Charlotte-Brook Lopez (Michael Jordan and the Cats take the big guy from Stanford to play alongside the often injured but very talented Emeka Okafor)

10) New Jersey-Danilo Gallinari (The Nets will go Italian and take the best foreign player available in Gallinari. This kid will either be the next Nowitzki or an absolute bust)

There's my thoughts, now tell me how you feel......

I never had the pleasure of working with "Bud" Dudley, having arrived in Memphis a year after he stepped down as the Liberty Bowl Executive Director. What I hear however, is that Dudley was firm but fair. He had a way about him that rubbed some people the wrong way, but was as honest with you as he could be. May he rest in peace.

The Memphis Tigers, and in particular Coach John Calipari, had a 50 percent week with recruits. They convince Roburt Sallie to come to the bluff city, but lost out on Emmanuel Negadu who plans to play hoops for Bruce Pearl and Tennessee. Hats off to Pearl who continues to get the job done on the hill.

Speaking of the Tigers, Robert Dozier made the right move by announcing he will return for his Senior season. Dozier would have been a second round pick in the NBA draft at best. Now he can work on getting stronger and becoming a go to guy on the Offensive end. That should help his stock rise for 2009.

The Grizzlies will host six NBA hopefuls on Thursday including former Razorbacks stud Sonny Weems, who appears to be moving up the draft boards. The West Memphis Native is likely a second rounder but you never know.

The Memphis Tigers Football team has lost a second Quarterback this off season. Dallas Walker says he will transfer after redshirting his first year at the U of M. He follows in the footsteps of Matt Malouf, who also decided to seek out a new school. That leaves the Tigers with 3 Q.B.'s.......newcomer Arkelon Hall, Will Hudgens(who will return late because of Pro Baseball), and Brett Toney.

Some quick hitters from the National stage.....

The Mets absolutely screwed up the Willie Randolph firing. They should have let the guy go a month ago and saved themselves the chance of looking like idiots, which is exactly what they did.      

Game six of the NBA Finals takes place Thursday night and this one has a chance to go seven games, but I can't see how the Lakers can win back to back contests in Boston? I picked L.A. at the beginning, and quite frankly, have been extremely dissapointed in their lack of consistency. Keys to the rest of the series.......Boston's Kevin Garnett needs to post up Pau Gasol more and dominate the paint. Kobe Bryant needs to take over and stop being unselfish. Bryant can will his team to victory but he can't become complacent.

Let me start by saying I really am going to miss Doneal Mack. Not only did I enjoy Mack hoisting up the long ball, but he was about as nice a young man as I've ever had to deal with. After the Tigers loss to Tennessee in February, it was only Mack who "Manned up" and spoke to the media. Mack always put his team first, and was about as courteous and thoughtful towards the media as anyone that has ever donned the blue and grey.

As for his decision to transfer....I respect it. Mack is heading into his Junior season and wants to play more. I'm sure it was a decision he made with some reservation, as he leaves a program that played in the National Title Game last season. According to his Father Greg Mack, Doneal's situation is all about playing time, and after a reported conversation between Doneal and Head Coach John Calipari, it doesn't appear there will be any guarantees.

So what does this loss mean for the Team? Well, after losing the bulk of your offense in Derrick Rose and Chris Douglas-Roberts, the Tigers now lose their big threat off the bench. Let's not forget Mack made some big shots last season, and produced a career high 23 points in a win over Pepperdine. But in the post season Mack did not produce, and as the competition got better, and the defenders tougher, Mack couldn't find his shot.

The 6'5" shooting guard will help another program. His father said LSU, Clemson or Wake Forest may be an option. In the meantime the Tigers and Coach Cal will entertain recruit Emmanuel Negedu Thursday and Roburt Sallie on Saturday. The will also host an advanced skills overnight camp which will be attended by some of the top High School underclassmen in the country. In other words, the Tigers will be just fine.

So here's to Doneal and his future endeavors, and here's to the Tigers fielding another Championship caliber team with players that want to be here, know their roles, and think team first