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Ketch's 10 Thoughts From The Weekend (It's all about to go down...)

Ketchum

Resident Blockhead
Staff
May 29, 2001
293,174
468,652
113
In two weeks, we're going to see the wildest stretch of recruiting that we've seen in some time.

Beginning on June 1, the restriction against on-campus visits ends, and with recruits able to visit schools for the first time in almost 15 months, it's going to be on.

When I say it's going to be on, I mean that the defining moments of the 2022 recruiting class will take place in the next 45-60 days. Don't be tricked into believing that the first National Signing Day being a little more than half a year away means much. Also, don't buy into the myth that much of what Texas does on the field this year is going to significantly impact the final results of the 2022 recruiting class.

Oh, there will be a few December/January announcements and the performance on the field could impact a few decisions, but the reality of the situation is this...

a. A majority of the best prospects in the state of Texas have already made commitments.
b. The majority of the most important official visits that remain for the 2022 class will occur during the month of June, as stir crazy kids hit the road.
c. Of the remaining elite kids left on the table in the state of Texas, it wouldn't shock anyone if nearly half or more make decisions before September 1.

Although my LSR Top 100 rankings for the Class of 2022 will be updated this week, the majority of the elite kids have been established for a while, and as things currently stand, six of the Top 10 and 10 of the state's Top 20 are already committed.

Of those 10 that haven't committed, these are the guys that matter the most for the Longhorns:

WR Evan Stewart
OL Kam Dewberry
OL Devon Campbell
OL Kelvin Banks (taking his official visit to Texas on June 18th)

LB Harold Perkins
CB Denver Harris (taking his official visit to Texas on June 18th)
CB Bryce Anderson
Ath Brenan Thompson

It's probably hard to pinpoint exactly which of these players will pull the trigger on decisions before the high school football season starts, but it'll almost certainly include a handful of names on the list.

None of this is saying that there aren't other outstanding football players available in this class; it's simply an acknowledgement of the stakes involved once the visits start taking place in June.

The moment is nearly upon Steve Sarkisian, and he's going to need to rely on his staff's incredible sales tactics and a recruiting pitch that features more vision than anything else. When it comes to recruiting, the 2021 season is about 2023 recruiting as much as it is about the 2022 crop.

Get your popcorn ready.

No. 2 - Stealing an idea from Alex Dunlap...

This isn't a list of the top 10 prospects in the state; rather it's a look at the Top 10 most important players to the Longhorns in terms of value, positional needs and positional scarcity.

1. OL - Devon Campbell (Arlington Bowie)
2. OL - Kam Dewberry (Humble Atascocita)
3. CB - Denver Harris (Houston North Shore)
4. OL - Kelvin Banks (Houston Summer Creek)
5. WR - Evan Stewart (Frisco Liberty)
6. CB - Bryce Anderson (Beaumont Westbrook)
7. OL - Cameron Willliams (Duncanville)
8. OL - Neto Umeozulu - (Allen)
9. LB - Harold Perkins (Cypress Park)
10. DL - Jaray Bledsoe (Bremond)

It's all about the offensive linemen and a sprinkle of special individual recruits. You could make a case that the entire Top 5 could be nothing but the five best offensive linemen in this class.

No. 3 - On a fairly slow weekend as we get ready for June...

Full confession - the 10-year old version of me really enjoyed this Tweet.



No. 4 - A damn good weekend on the 40 Acres for the non-revenue sports...

In the event that you weren't keeping score at home...

* The Longhorns pulled off the double at the Outdoor Track and Field Championships, winning the team titles on both the men's and women's side of the ledger.

* The Texas women's track team set a record with 207 points for the program's 12th overall team title and second consecutive. Meanwhile, the 173 points posted by the men's side were the second-most by any team in Big 12 history.

* The Texas women's rowing team won its six straight Big 12 title. Is Texas a swimming and rowing school?

* The No. 2 Texas women's tennis team advanced to the NCAA Elite 8 and takes on No. 7 Florida State on Wednesday for a chance to make the Final Four.

Not a bad weekend at all.

No. 5 - Cat Osterman-level dominance ...

When it's all said and done, Tara Davis is going to go down as one of the best athletes this school has ever seen.

She's the best female long jumper in NCAA history. It’s undeniable at this point.



No. 6 - Without overcooking the grits...

It's a big week for the Texas baseball team. Not the biggest week of the season. Those bad boys occur in June.

So, let's not make too much out of whatever happens with the Longhorns hosting West Virginia and TCU headed to Manhattan, but the conference title is on the line this weekend.

If iron sharpens iron, then the pressure that the Longhorns will feel in their series with the Mountaineers should prove to be a perfect tune-up for regional and potential super action regional. The opportunity is there, but the margin of error is slight.

The good news is that TCU's form is a little shaky, including losing a pair of games at La-Monroe over the weekend.

I'm curious to see what Texas and TCU both show from a championship backbone standpoint.

No. 7 – BUY or SELL …

B/S. @Suchomel is THE mod to listen to when it comes to a recruit’s destination

(Sell) I typically steal his intel at all times, so I'd call it a wash. I can't remember the last time we were on different sides of a prediction.

B/S
Beard wins a Natty before Sark does

(Buy) I think it's a tall task for both, but I'm more confident of Beard getting there faster than Sark.

B/S This year's baseball team will make it to Omaha. Part II Last year's team would have made it as well if not for the shutdown.

(Buy) At some point, you have to believe when the team has been this good over the last 60 or so games going back to 2019.

UT ends up ranking 1 or 2 in total offense and defense for the conference this year.

(Sell) I don't believe Texas is going to be that good yet. Ask me this question again in August.

B/S-Optimistic about the future in general on this birthday?

(Buy) Yeah, man. Feeling good.

B/S We should panic if Sark starts 1-2.

(Both Charlie and Tom Herman started their UT coaching tenures 1-2.)

(Sell) Actually, Mack Brown started 1-2 in 1998 as well. Also, Nick Saban lost at home to La-Monroe in his first season.

B/S Texas could have an equal or lesser record to last year’s team but will be a “better” team.

(Buy) However, it also needs to be said that they could still not be as good as last year's team as well. Both options are not out of the realm.

It would be nice if they did it, but unrealistic to expect ‘Horns to play for the Big 12 championship in Sark Year 1.

(Sell) I don't know if Texas gets there in year one, but it's not unrealistic that they could. Texas feels like the No. 3 team in the league to me going into the season, which means that they don't have to climb too high to get into the game.

B/S - There is a 1200 yard receiver on the roster

(Sell) Not in 2021, anyways.

I’m sorry to tell you on your B day but would you not renew my subscription. I have medical problems and probably won’t make it to watch the ou game on tv this year. Thank you and I have enjoyed Orangebloods. Bill Brooks

(Sell) I'll send you an email. I've got you. If you're dealing with medical problems, please allow Orangebloods to be riding shotgun with you on us, OB family is family.

B/S If Herman were retained, there would be 30% fewer people reading this column.

(Sell) But, maybe it wouldn't be too far from that number.

B/S Casey is the day one starter, holds onto the starting role the entire season and this surprises most fans.

(Sell) #TeamCard


B/S: Devin Richardson is one of the best four linebackers on the roster the second he steps on campus (Overshown and other transfers included) and the coaches have to find a way to get him into the starting lineup

(Buy) Yup, I'm buying that all day long.

B/S We land 2 out of 3 out of Dewberry, Banks and Campbell.

(Buy) It's a baby buy, though, but I'll still step on the limb with Campbell and Banks.

No. 8 - Scattershooting on the sports weekend...

,,, Charli Collier starting off well...


... Congrats to the Sam Houston State football team.

... This was such a nice moment at this weekend's Hoops hall of fame inductions.


... The East comes through Philly this year. In The Process, I trust. Bring on anybody.

... I'd be ok with Steph Curry winning the NBA MVP. I'm not sure he's ever been better.

... It wasn't the weekend he was hoping for after a first round 63 in his own backyard, but another Top 10 finish is a positive step forward for Jordan Spieth. That's a 9th, 3rd, 1st, 48th, 4th, 15th, 3rd and 4th in his last nine starts heading into this weekend's PGA Championship.

... Charles Oliveira winning in the UFC in 2021 was not a headline I ever expected to see.

... The grind of starting the first two months on the road appears to be taking its toll on Austin FC in its first season.

... Luis Freaking Suarez. It had to be him saving Atletico's season on Sunday, didn't it?

... Good for Leicester City. It's hard not to appreciate a club like Leicester winning the FA up for the first time in nearly 60 years. Also, are we at a point where we should say that Leicester has replaced Arsenal in the Big 6 of English football?

... This was all I needed for my birthday. Well, this and my family. I was more than good all day.


... This was my wife moments after this occurred.


No. 9 - My Top 10...umm... Top 10... if you know what I mean...

With all due respect to Anwar Richardson's request for a Stevie Wonder list after the man turned 71 years old this week, it's my birthday and I thought it would be more fun to do a different set of rankings.

Let's call this the "Top 10 women to post photos of for my birthday" if you're into that sort of thing.

Everyone thinks I'm #TeamMiley, first and foremost, but the reality is that she doesn't crack my personal Top 10.

p.s. - I'm pretty sure I could name my wife's Top 10 list. Christian Bale and Cillian Murphy are high on that one, I know.

Let's do this!

10. 1980s Vanity
9. 1990's Angela Bassett
8. Diane Lane
7. Janelle Monae
6. Zoe Saldana
5. Natalie Portman
4. Stacy Keibler
3. Candice Swanepoel
2. Keira Knightley
1. 1990's Elle McPhearson

No. 10 - And Finally ...

I just wanted to take a moment to say a special thank you to Robert Hurst, a dear sweet man that has been a friend to Orangebloods for nearly all 20 years that we've been going strong.

When I visited his home this weekend to pick up the final items for the JimTexas scholarship silent auctions we had last month, it dawned on me that with his battle with cancer, I can't take for granted that I'll ever get a chance to visit with him again in person.

A piece of my heart broke when I drove out of South Austin.

Robert... from the bottom of my heart... we love you, man.
 
In two weeks, we're going to see the wildest stretch of recruiting that we've seen in some time.

Beginning on June 1, the restriction against on-campus visits ends, and with recruits able to visit schools for the first time in almost 15 months, it's going to be on.

When I say it's going to be on, I mean that the defining moments of the 2022 recruiting class will take place in the next 45-60 days. Don't be tricked into believing that the first National Signing Day being a little more than half a year away means much. Also, don't buy into the myth that much of what Texas does on the field this year is going to significantly impact the final results of the 2022 recruiting class.

Oh, there will be a few December/January announcements and the performance on the field could impact a few decisions, but the reality of the situation is this...

a. A majority of the best prospects in the state of Texas have already made commitments.
b. The majority of the most important official visits that remain for the 2022 class will occur during the month of June, as stir crazy kids hit the road.
c. Of the remaining elite kids left on the table in the state of Texas, it wouldn't shock anyone if nearly half or more make decisions before September 1.

Although my LSR Top 100 rankings for the Class of 2022 will be updated this week, the majority of the elite kids have been established for a while, and as things currently stand, six of the Top 10 and 10 of the state's Top 20 are already committed.

Of those 10 that haven't committed, these are the guys that matter the most for the Longhorns:

WR Evan Stewart (taking his official visit to Texas on June 11th)
OL Kam Dewberry
OL Devon Campbell
OL Kelvin Banks (taking his official visit to Texas on June 18th)

LB Harold Perkins
CB Denver Harris (taking his official visit to Texas on June 18th)
CB Bryce Anderson
Ath Brenan Thompson

It's probably hard to pinpoint exactly which of these players will pull the trigger on decisions before the high school football season starts, but it'll almost certainly include a handful of names on the list.

None of this is saying that there aren't other outstanding football players available in this class; it's simply an acknowledgement of the stakes involved once the visits start taking place in June.

The moment is nearly upon Steve Sarkisian, and he's going to need to rely on his staff's incredible sales tactics and a recruiting pitch that features more vision than anything else. When it comes to recruiting, the 2021 season is about 2023 recruiting as much as it is about the 2022 crop.

Get your popcorn ready.

No. 2 - Stealing an idea from Alex Dunlap...

This isn't a list of the top 10 prospects in the state; rather it's a look at the Top 10 most important players to the Longhorns in terms of value, positional needs and positional scarcity.

1. OL - Devon Campbell (Arlington Bowie)
2. OL - Kam Dewberry (Humble Atascocita)
3. CB - Denver Harris (Houston North Shore)
4. OL - Kelvin Banks (Houston Summer Creek)
5. WR - Evan Stewart (Frisco Liberty)
6. CB - Bryce Anderson (Beaumont Westbrook)
7. OL - Cameron Willliams (Duncanville)
8. OL - Neto Umeozulu - (Allen)
9. LB - Harold Perkins (Cypress Park)
10. DL - Jaray Bledsoe (Bremond)

It's all about the offensive linemen and a sprinkle of special individual recruits. You could make a case that the entire Top 5 could be nothing but the five best offensive linemen in this class.

No. 3 - On a fairly slow weekend as we get ready for June...

Full confession - the 10-year old version of me really enjoyed this Tweet.



No. 4 - A damn good weekend on the 40 Acres for the non-revenue sports...

In the event that you weren't keeping score at home...

* The Longhorns pulled off the double at the Outdoor Track and Field Championships, winning the team titles on both the men's and women's side of the ledger.

* The Texas women's track team set a record with 207 points for the program's 12th overall team title and second consecutive. Meanwhile, the 173 points posted by the men's side were the second-most by any team in Big 12 history.

* The Texas women's rowing team won its six straight Big 12 title. Is Texas a swimming and rowing school?

* The No. 2 Texas women's tennis team advanced to the NCAA Elite 8 and takes on No. 7 Florida State on Wednesday for a chance to make the Final Four.

Not a bad weekend at all.

No. 5 - Cat Osterman-level dominance ...

When it's all said and done, Tara Davis is going to go down as one of the best athletes this school has ever seen.

She's the best female long jumper in NCAA history. It’s undeniable at this point.



No. 6 - Without overcooking the grits...

It's a big week for the Texas baseball team. Not the biggest week of the season. Those bad boys occur in June.

So, let's not make too much out of whatever happens with the Longhorns hosting West Virginia and TCU headed to Manhattan, but the conference title is on the line this weekend.

If iron sharpens iron, then the pressure that the Longhorns will feel in their series with the Mountaineers should prove to be a perfect tune-up for regional and potential super action regional. The opportunity is there, but the margin of error is slight.

The good news is that TCU's form is a little shaky, including losing a pair of games at La-Monroe over the weekend.

I'm curious to see what Texas and TCU both show from a championship backbone standpoint.

No. 7 – BUY or SELL …



(Sell) I typically steal his intel at all times, so I'd call it a wash. I can't remember the last time we were on different sides of a prediction.



(Buy) I think it's a tall task for both, but I'm more confident of Beard getting there faster than Sark.



(Buy) At some point, you have to believe when the team has been this good over the last 60 or so games going back to 2019.



(Sell) I don't believe Texas is going to be that good yet. Ask me this question again in August.



(Buy) Yeah, man. Feeling good.



(Sell) Actually, Mack Brown started 1-2 in 1998 as well. Also, Nick Saban lost at home to La-Monroe in his first season.



(Buy) However, it also needs to be said that they could still not be as good as last year's team as well. Both options are not out of the realm.



(Sell) I don't know if Texas gets there in year one, but it's not unrealistic that they could. Texas feels like the No. 3 team in the league to me going into the season, which means that they don't have to climb too high to get into the game.



(Sell) Not in 2021, anyways.



(Sell) I'll send you an email. I've got you. If you're dealing with medical problems, please allow Orangebloods to be riding shotgun with you on us, OB family is family.



(Sell) But, maybe it wouldn't be too far from that number.



(Sell) #TeamCard




(Buy) Yup, I'm buying that all day long.



(Buy) It's a baby buy, though, but I'll still step on the limb with Campbell and Banks.

No. 8 - Scattershooting on the sports weekend...

,,, Charli Collier starting off well...


... Congrats to the Sam Houston State football team.

... This was such a nice moment at this weekend's Hoops hall of fame inductions.


... The East comes through Philly this year. In The Process, I trust. Bring on anybody.

... I'd be ok with Steph Curry winning the NBA MVP. I'm not sure he's ever been better.

... It wasn't the weekend he was hoping for after a first round 63 in his own backyard, but another Top 10 finish is a positive step forward for Jordan Spieth. That's a 9th, 3rd, 1st, 48th, 4th, 15th, 3rd and 4th in his last nine starts heading into this weekend's PGA Championship.

... Charles Oliveira winning in the UFC in 2021 was not a headline I ever expected to see.

... The grind of starting the first two months on the road appears to be taking its toll on Austin FC in its first season.

... Luis Freaking Suarez. It had to be him saving Atletico's season on Sunday, didn't it?

... Good for Leicester City. It's hard not to appreciate a club like Leicester winning the FA up for the first time in nearly 60 years. Also, are we at a point where we should say that Leicester has replaced Arsenal in the Big 6 of English football?

... This was all I needed for my birthday. Well, this and my family. I was more than good all day.


... This was my wife moments after this occurred.


No. 9 - My Top 10...umm... Top 10... if you know what I mean...

With all due respect to Anwar Richardson's request for a Stevie Wonder list after the man turned 71 years old this week, it's my birthday and I thought it would be more fun to do a different set of rankings.

Let's call this the "Top 10 women to post photos of for my birthday" if you're into that sort of thing.

Everyone thinks I'm #TeamMiley, first and foremost, but the reality is that she doesn't crack my personal Top 10.

p.s. - I'm pretty sure I could name my wife's Top 10 list. Christian Bale and Cillian Murphy are high on that one, I know.

Let's do this!

10. 1980s Vanity
9. 1990's Angela Bassett
8. Diane Lane
7. Janelle Monae
6. Zoe Saldana
5. Natalie Portman
4. Stacy Keibler
3. Candice Swanepoel
2. Keira Knightley
1. 1990's Elle McPhearson

No. 10 - And Finally ...

I just wanted to take a moment to say a special thank you to Robert Hurst, a dear sweet man that has been a friend to Orangebloods for nearly all 20 years that we've been going strong.

When I visited his home this weekend to pick up the final items for the JimTexas scholarship silent auctions we had last month, it dawned on me that with his battle with cancer, I can't take for granted that I'll ever get a chance to visit with him again in person.

A piece of my heart broke when I drove out of South Austin.

Robert... from the bottom of my heart... we love you, man.
Yes sir
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ketchum
Let's do this!

10. 1980s Vanity
9. 1990's Angela Bassett
8. Diane Lane
7. Janelle Monae
6. Zoe Saldana
5. Natalie Portman
4. Stacy Keibler
3. Candice Swanepoel
2. Keira Knightley
1. 1990's Elle McPhearson

I’m so old I don’t recognize half the names on that list. :oops:

And although we’ve had our differences, this column reminds me again you’re a good man, Ketch. And your site often rises above the swamp that is social media these days.
 
In two weeks, we're going to see the wildest stretch of recruiting that we've seen in some time.

Beginning on June 1, the restriction against on-campus visits ends, and with recruits able to visit schools for the first time in almost 15 months, it's going to be on.

When I say it's going to be on, I mean that the defining moments of the 2022 recruiting class will take place in the next 45-60 days. Don't be tricked into believing that the first National Signing Day being a little more than half a year away means much. Also, don't buy into the myth that much of what Texas does on the field this year is going to significantly impact the final results of the 2022 recruiting class.

Oh, there will be a few December/January announcements and the performance on the field could impact a few decisions, but the reality of the situation is this...

a. A majority of the best prospects in the state of Texas have already made commitments.
b. The majority of the most important official visits that remain for the 2022 class will occur during the month of June, as stir crazy kids hit the road.
c. Of the remaining elite kids left on the table in the state of Texas, it wouldn't shock anyone if nearly half or more make decisions before September 1.

Although my LSR Top 100 rankings for the Class of 2022 will be updated this week, the majority of the elite kids have been established for a while, and as things currently stand, six of the Top 10 and 10 of the state's Top 20 are already committed.

Of those 10 that haven't committed, these are the guys that matter the most for the Longhorns:

WR Evan Stewart
OL Kam Dewberry
OL Devon Campbell
OL Kelvin Banks (taking his official visit to Texas on June 18th)

LB Harold Perkins
CB Denver Harris (taking his official visit to Texas on June 18th)
CB Bryce Anderson
Ath Brenan Thompson

It's probably hard to pinpoint exactly which of these players will pull the trigger on decisions before the high school football season starts, but it'll almost certainly include a handful of names on the list.

None of this is saying that there aren't other outstanding football players available in this class; it's simply an acknowledgement of the stakes involved once the visits start taking place in June.

The moment is nearly upon Steve Sarkisian, and he's going to need to rely on his staff's incredible sales tactics and a recruiting pitch that features more vision than anything else. When it comes to recruiting, the 2021 season is about 2023 recruiting as much as it is about the 2022 crop.

Get your popcorn ready.

No. 2 - Stealing an idea from Alex Dunlap...

This isn't a list of the top 10 prospects in the state; rather it's a look at the Top 10 most important players to the Longhorns in terms of value, positional needs and positional scarcity.

1. OL - Devon Campbell (Arlington Bowie)
2. OL - Kam Dewberry (Humble Atascocita)
3. CB - Denver Harris (Houston North Shore)
4. OL - Kelvin Banks (Houston Summer Creek)
5. WR - Evan Stewart (Frisco Liberty)
6. CB - Bryce Anderson (Beaumont Westbrook)
7. OL - Cameron Willliams (Duncanville)
8. OL - Neto Umeozulu - (Allen)
9. LB - Harold Perkins (Cypress Park)
10. DL - Jaray Bledsoe (Bremond)

It's all about the offensive linemen and a sprinkle of special individual recruits. You could make a case that the entire Top 5 could be nothing but the five best offensive linemen in this class.

No. 3 - On a fairly slow weekend as we get ready for June...

Full confession - the 10-year old version of me really enjoyed this Tweet.



No. 4 - A damn good weekend on the 40 Acres for the non-revenue sports...

In the event that you weren't keeping score at home...

* The Longhorns pulled off the double at the Outdoor Track and Field Championships, winning the team titles on both the men's and women's side of the ledger.

* The Texas women's track team set a record with 207 points for the program's 12th overall team title and second consecutive. Meanwhile, the 173 points posted by the men's side were the second-most by any team in Big 12 history.

* The Texas women's rowing team won its six straight Big 12 title. Is Texas a swimming and rowing school?

* The No. 2 Texas women's tennis team advanced to the NCAA Elite 8 and takes on No. 7 Florida State on Wednesday for a chance to make the Final Four.

Not a bad weekend at all.

No. 5 - Cat Osterman-level dominance ...

When it's all said and done, Tara Davis is going to go down as one of the best athletes this school has ever seen.

She's the best female long jumper in NCAA history. It’s undeniable at this point.



No. 6 - Without overcooking the grits...

It's a big week for the Texas baseball team. Not the biggest week of the season. Those bad boys occur in June.

So, let's not make too much out of whatever happens with the Longhorns hosting West Virginia and TCU headed to Manhattan, but the conference title is on the line this weekend.

If iron sharpens iron, then the pressure that the Longhorns will feel in their series with the Mountaineers should prove to be a perfect tune-up for regional and potential super action regional. The opportunity is there, but the margin of error is slight.

The good news is that TCU's form is a little shaky, including losing a pair of games at La-Monroe over the weekend.

I'm curious to see what Texas and TCU both show from a championship backbone standpoint.

No. 7 – BUY or SELL …



(Sell) I typically steal his intel at all times, so I'd call it a wash. I can't remember the last time we were on different sides of a prediction.



(Buy) I think it's a tall task for both, but I'm more confident of Beard getting there faster than Sark.



(Buy) At some point, you have to believe when the team has been this good over the last 60 or so games going back to 2019.



(Sell) I don't believe Texas is going to be that good yet. Ask me this question again in August.



(Buy) Yeah, man. Feeling good.



(Sell) Actually, Mack Brown started 1-2 in 1998 as well. Also, Nick Saban lost at home to La-Monroe in his first season.



(Buy) However, it also needs to be said that they could still not be as good as last year's team as well. Both options are not out of the realm.



(Sell) I don't know if Texas gets there in year one, but it's not unrealistic that they could. Texas feels like the No. 3 team in the league to me going into the season, which means that they don't have to climb too high to get into the game.



(Sell) Not in 2021, anyways.



(Sell) I'll send you an email. I've got you. If you're dealing with medical problems, please allow Orangebloods to be riding shotgun with you on us, OB family is family.



(Sell) But, maybe it wouldn't be too far from that number.



(Sell) #TeamCard




(Buy) Yup, I'm buying that all day long.



(Buy) It's a baby buy, though, but I'll still step on the limb with Campbell and Banks.

No. 8 - Scattershooting on the sports weekend...

,,, Charli Collier starting off well...


... Congrats to the Sam Houston State football team.

... This was such a nice moment at this weekend's Hoops hall of fame inductions.


... The East comes through Philly this year. In The Process, I trust. Bring on anybody.

... I'd be ok with Steph Curry winning the NBA MVP. I'm not sure he's ever been better.

... It wasn't the weekend he was hoping for after a first round 63 in his own backyard, but another Top 10 finish is a positive step forward for Jordan Spieth. That's a 9th, 3rd, 1st, 48th, 4th, 15th, 3rd and 4th in his last nine starts heading into this weekend's PGA Championship.

... Charles Oliveira winning in the UFC in 2021 was not a headline I ever expected to see.

... The grind of starting the first two months on the road appears to be taking its toll on Austin FC in its first season.

... Luis Freaking Suarez. It had to be him saving Atletico's season on Sunday, didn't it?

... Good for Leicester City. It's hard not to appreciate a club like Leicester winning the FA up for the first time in nearly 60 years. Also, are we at a point where we should say that Leicester has replaced Arsenal in the Big 6 of English football?

... This was all I needed for my birthday. Well, this and my family. I was more than good all day.


... This was my wife moments after this occurred.


No. 9 - My Top 10...umm... Top 10... if you know what I mean...

With all due respect to Anwar Richardson's request for a Stevie Wonder list after the man turned 71 years old this week, it's my birthday and I thought it would be more fun to do a different set of rankings.

Let's call this the "Top 10 women to post photos of for my birthday" if you're into that sort of thing.

Everyone thinks I'm #TeamMiley, first and foremost, but the reality is that she doesn't crack my personal Top 10.

p.s. - I'm pretty sure I could name my wife's Top 10 list. Christian Bale and Cillian Murphy are high on that one, I know.

Let's do this!

10. 1980s Vanity
9. 1990's Angela Bassett
8. Diane Lane
7. Janelle Monae
6. Zoe Saldana
5. Natalie Portman
4. Stacy Keibler
3. Candice Swanepoel
2. Keira Knightley
1. 1990's Elle McPhearson

No. 10 - And Finally ...

I just wanted to take a moment to say a special thank you to Robert Hurst, a dear sweet man that has been a friend to Orangebloods for nearly all 20 years that we've been going strong.

When I visited his home this weekend to pick up the final items for the JimTexas scholarship silent auctions we had last month, it dawned on me that with his battle with cancer, I can't take for granted that I'll ever get a chance to visit with him again in person.

A piece of my heart broke when I drove out of South Austin.

Robert... from the bottom of my heart... we love you, man.
Great stuff, Ketch. Happy birthday!
 
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I don’t do soccer but that video could be any of us simpletons watching our favorite team pull out a miracle and be right on. Greatness!!
 
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I didn’t get as emotional with Sam Houston winning the national championship in football as I when the bowling team won the national championship. The bowling national championship happened shortly after I graduated. I’m excited, but I’m also dealing with the after effects of my first Moderna shot.
 
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prohias said:
B/S We should panic if Sark starts 1-2.

(Both Charlie and Tom Herman started their UT coaching tenures 1-2.)

(Sell) Actually, Mack Brown started 1-2 in 1998 as well. Also, Nick Saban lost at home to La-Monroe in his first season.

Oddly, the last Texas coach to NOT start 1-2 was Fred Akers.
 
Natalie Portman and Diane Lane...oh yes.

I have met Ms Lane a few times. My cousin and her daughter were at the same high school in LA. They both were in the Arts program and saw them in many shows over a 4 year span.

It was about 10 years ago'ish. She is a fine looking woman. Natural beauty. Beautiful feminine like qualities.

Unrelated to the above but related to this week's thread, Tim F'n Duncan. I grew up in HTown and like most NBA fans you respect the hell out of Duncan. I had heard just a few interviews and nothing else. This speech for the Hall of Fame was amazing. He shows so much of himself as probably being the most humble superstar athlete I have every heard speak. He gives so much credit with such grace and storytelling, that I was emotionally struck by it. Amazing player but an even more amazing person.
 
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