Author Archives: AD

Week three in ALDLAND

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Last week was another good week here, with readers especially enjoying a take on Bill Simmons’ new ESPN project, Grantland, a report on a stop on the Béla Fleck/Bruce Hornsby/Flecktones/Noisemakers tour, and the site’s first readers’ poll. We also featured Chris Johnson as the subject of the Weekend Interview and welcomed a new writer, who jumped headlong into the fray of SEC expansion and Big XII discord in his first post.

This week, we’re continuing to track what may remain of round two of the SEC-Texas A&M maiting dance. Also look for a new album review or two among the usual coverage.

Thanks for reading!

SEC signals it will not expand to include Texas A&M

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ESPN reports:

The Southeastern Conference is not extending an invitation to Texas A&M to become its 13th member, but isn’t ruling out adding the Aggies in the future.

University of Florida president Dr. Bernie Machen said the conference’s presidents and chancellors met on Sunday and “reaffirmed our satisfaction with the present 12 institutional alignment.”

“We recognize, however, that future conditions may make it advantageous to expand the number of institutions in the league,” Machen said. “We discussed criteria and process associated with expansion. No action was taken with respect to any institution including Texas A&M.”

The possibility that A&M would join the SEC had excited us, but from the SEC’s statement today and the way ESPN is presenting it, it seems like, for a second year, it is not to be. The statement leaves the door open for the addition of new members, including A&M, but it is unclear when and on what terms the conference will add to its membership.

The Weekend Interview: Chris Johnson

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After heading north of the border for last week’s interview, it only seemed right to turn things around and seek some warmer weather and talk to a current– if temporarily, but willfully inactive– player named Chris: Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson.

Arguably the league’s fastest and best running back since the Titans drafted him out of East Carolina University prior to the 2008 season, Johnson currently is holding out from this year’s lockout-compressed training camp in the hopes of securing something around $30 million in guaranteed money.

This isn’t CJ’s first contract dispute either. 2009 was a record-setting year for him (2,006 rushing yards, 2,509 total yards, 14 touchdowns, 5.6 yards/carry), and he demanded a restructured contract before the 2010 season, and the Titans ultimately gave in. Johnson’s prediction that he would shatter Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record (2,105 yards) by rushing for 2,500 yards in 2010. Instead, he had 1,364 yards on the ground (1,609 total), well short of the record and his personal goal, though still good numbers.

For this imagined interview, I agreed to meet Johnson for lunch at McDougal’s in Nashville…  Keep reading…

Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday

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It’s the end of the week again, and this Friday finds ALDLAND having avoided (I think) a week-two sophomore slump. Friday-themed jams seem like a good idea as long as I can keep thinking of them. Suggestions are welcome.

After last week’s inaugural jam, the selection for this week was the next logical choice. I wanted to offer a live cut instead of a generic slideshow of grainy stills, and, as it turned out, there was only one real option readily available. The band apparently went through its Amish phase in 1980, but don’t worry if you don’t recognize the group since you’ll get a pretty good clue around the 1:35 mark.

Print Preview: Horseracing at its finest (via ESPN The Magazine)

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The look of the wooden grandstands takes you back a bit — maybe not to the 1860s, but at least to the 1970s. That’s when Seattle Slew and Affirmed won at Saratoga. Before them, so did Kelso, Buckpasser and Sword Dancer. Secretariat was upset here. Easy Goer prevailed here, as did Curlin. Rachel Alexandra beat the boys here. Everyone who’s anyone has come through here, and before I moved back home to Seattle in early August, I wanted to feel the place at least once more. … Read More

via ESPN The Magazine (available August 22, 2011)

Welcoming ALDLAND’s newest writer, Magalan

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I am glad to welcome new writer Magalan to the site. Check out the first post from this “SEC man” on Texas A&M’s flirtation with decamping from the depleted, Longhorn Network-burdened Big 12 for the neighboring SEC, a topic so hot, Texas Governor (and A&M alum) Rick Perry even weighed in on it yesterday.
Eagerly Anticipating the LSU/A&M Rivalry

The ends of their ropes?

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The sports world finds itself with a couple of active streaks that are starting to reach lengths that make people a little antsy. New Patriots DL Albert Haynesworth hasn’t been in practice since last week, Titans running back Chris Johnson continues to hold out as part of a contract bargaining strategy, and, in more positive news, Braves infielder Dan Uggla extended his consecutive-game hitting streak to 31.

The question is, which run will be the first to end?

Register your vote by electronic entry, below.

All-Nighters Keep Football Team Competitive During Ramadan (via NYT)

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DEARBORN, Mich. — The clock reached midnight as Sunday ticked into Monday and someone yelled, “It’s go time!” Football season could officially begin. New balls appeared and players at Fordson High School prepared to do what had long been done in this hometown of Henry Ford, build something with assembly-line precision and reliability. … Read More

via NYT

Writing about writing about writing: Grantland

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Even before Clay Travis’ new site came online this summer, 2011 already had seen the unveiling of an even bigger sports blog. The Sports Guy, Bill Simmons, brought his ESPN Page 2 act above board and began directing an ESPN.com side project called Grantland, named for Vanderbilt University graduate and early 1900s sportswriter Grantland Rice.

In May, the New York Times declared Simmons “the most prominent sportswriter in America.” I remember being pretty surprised to read those words, and then thinking, well, maybe that’s right. Sports Illustrated Rick Reilly would’ve had something to say about that a few years ago. Mitch Albom probably is part of a generation being supplanted– or at least his hair is. Simmons had seized the internet and the kids’ attention thereby. He had a popular web column and podcast, and a bestselling book. The NYT declaration probably was correct, but it was strange to read it in print for the first time.

Grantland would find Simmons in a new role, or more accurately, an additional role. ESPN wanted him to keep up with his podcast and column, migrating that content to the new site. In addition, he was to serve as editor in chief.

Keep reading…

Philadelphia dreamin’, on such a summer’s day

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It’s been over a year since “The Decision.” Thirteen months since Miami’s “Big Three” hit South Beach. Two months since the Heat lost in the NBA Finals. One month since the NFL lockout ended. In other words, it’s time for the media to reprise the dream team motif that paid their bills through the NBA season. NFL free agency, though compressed, has been slow, with one exception. Keep reading…