Missouri Dispatch Archives
...Anticipation for Quentin Tarantino's The Hateful Eight...
...Anticipation for Quentin Tarantino's The Hateful Eight... I just re-watched Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained. It's been three years since Tarantino released a movie. I needed a break from revising stories, and decided to delve into his last read more...
View the BBC's Southern Rock Documentary on Swampland
Swampland has added the BBC's new Southern Rock Documentary to it front page. Go here to view it - Swampland Front Page
Reflections, Progressions & Horizons
"Will all your money buy you forgiveness? Will it keep you from sickness? Will it keep you from cold? Will all your money Keep you from madness?
A Modern Legacy of America's Finest Archivists
A Modern Legacy of America's Finest Archivists A treasure trove of old, obscure American music exists out there. Bits and pieces of lost American culture preserved between the grooves waits for any listener's ear. This
Rich Robinson & Amy LaVere Hit The Road Together In March
Rich Robinson & Amy LaVere Hit The Road Together In March In March, Amy LaVere will tour with
Happy Holidays From Swampland 2011
Happy Holidays From Swampland "Never be impatient with the ones who love you, It might be yourself that you're hurting."
Swampland's Daily Duo of Reviews For 7/28/11: Pokey LaFarge and Pontiak
"For West is where we all plan to go some day." - Robert Penn Warren For Thursday's pair of reviews, we take on the South's connection to the West. Pokey LaFarge and The South City Three come from St Louis, MO, a city that can be considered South, West, and read more...
Upcoming Interview: Preston Lauterbach's Chitlin' Circuit: And The Road To Rock 'N' Roll
The Chitlin' Circut: And The Road To Rock 'N' Roll Memphis writer Preston Lauterbach's first book--The Chitlin Circut: And The Road To Rock 'N' Roll--arrived in the mail on Monday. An upcoming interview with Lauterbach is on the way, but I wanted to write a quick read more...
Swampland's Gospel, Funk & Soul Collection
Swampland's Gospel, Funk & Soul Collection It's arguable that one of America's finest contributions to history is music. Deep forms of music culminated from various influences that mold a specific style. In this dispatch, read more...
Girl Power: A Compilation of Swampland's Most Talented Female Artists
Swampland Salutes Southern Women: Volume 1 Today we'd like to salute all the great southern female artists we've covered here at Swampland. We've compiled a list of cornerstone interviews/articles/reviews pertaining to these talented read more...
O Brother, Where Art Thou? Celebrates 10th Anniversary
O Brother, Where Art Thou? Celebrates 10th Anniversary GRAMMY® ALBUM OF THE YEAR FOR 2001 O Brother, Where Art Thou? CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY WITH EXPANDED TWO-CD DELUXE EDITION NEW BONUS DISC INCLUDES read more...
A Memorial Day Tribute: An Early Salute
A Salute To All The Veterans An early salute for the upcoming weekend... In honor of Memorial Day, and all the read more...
The Art of Will Johnson
The Artwork of Will Johnson In preparation for the Texas band Centro-matic's upcoming release--Candidate Waltz--on June 21, I thought I'd shine a light on the artwork of the band's leader read more...
Never A Pal Like Mother
Happy Mother's Day 2011 Happy Mother's Day to Everyone! Since it's Mother's Day weekend, I thought I write a dispatch around the great Atlanta label
Isabel Wilkerson, Pulitizer Prize Winning Journalist, To Speak at University of North Alabama
Isabel Wilkerson, the first African-American woman to win a Pulitzer Prize in the history of journalism, will be speaking at the University of North Alabama (in Florence, Alabama) at 12:30 PM, Thursday, April 14. read more...
Friendship, Love & Betrayal in Modern Times
Friendship, Love & Betrayal In Modern Times “You got a lot of nerve to say you are my friend When I was down you just stood there grinning…”
New Orleans Tennessee Williams Festival Begins March 23
New Orleans Tennessee Williams Festival “New Orleans is where Tom became ‘Tennessee’ and he considered our city his spiritual home”, said Paul J. Willis, executive director of the annual
"If You're Not Living on the Edge, Then You're Taking Up Space": Flo Kennedy
Most people are familiar with the life and career of civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks, but how many people are familiar with her contemporary-- the flamboyant and vociferous
Southern College Football – Can the Big 12 Survive?
The world of college athletics was almost turned upside down last summer when possible conference realignment(s) seemed to be rumored on a daily basis. Would the Big 12 still exist in 2011? Texas and Oklahoma to the Pac-10? Texas or Missouri to the Big Ten? Texas A&M to the SEC? read more...
Like Clockwork, SEC Tops Recruiting
There seems to be a rhythm to each winter over the last few years; an SEC team wins the BCS Championship in January and then the league cleans up in recruiting on the first Wednesday in February. Those two annual events are very intertwined, and we have written for years about how read more...
20 Interviews From The Archive
20 Interviews From Swampland/Mystery and Manners Archive Amid other pressing projects, today I thought I’d construct a dispatch regarding 20 interviews from the Swampland/Mystery And Manners archive. Each artist read more...
Southern College Football – Bowl Season
LEAD STORY The BCS Championship Game is almost here, and the fans around our Swampland Footprint are very eager to see if Auburn can earn the SEC’s fifth straight national title. It’s quite the
Merry Christmas From Swampland
Merry Christmas From Swampland Ho, Ho, Ho…I’d like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas from Swampland. Thanks for all the support. A Happy New Year to you all! Don’t let the Devil get you down. I’ve included a couple of read more...
Southern College Football – Coaching Carousel
LEAD STORY With bowl season beginning and holidays upon us, the big news in our Footprint is the gigantic transformation of the coaching hierarchy in the state of Florida. Do you realize that one-season ‘veteran’ Jimbo Fisher of Florida State is now the dean of read more...
Southern College Football – Championship Week
LEAD STORY The amazing story of Auburn and Cam Newton will continue Saturday when they meet South Carolina in the SEC Championship Game.
Buffalo Radio Show Tonight: Doug Jones (Blind Willy), Rick Cash (Silver Travis), and Author A. Lawrence Haskins
Tonight at 7 pm/est, the Buffalo Radio Show welcomes A. Lawrence Haskins, a novelist whose book "The Whisper of Serpents" is an astounding crime drama. Lawrence is also the mastermind behind his own multi-media empire which includes online talk shows and much read more...
Southern College Football - Week 13 Themes
It’s rivalry week in our Swampland Footprint. Some teams are looking towards league titles (Auburn, Oklahoma/Oklahoma State, NC State, etc.) while some usual stalwarts are just trying to become bowl eligible (Texas, Georgia, Tennessee). The last weekend of the season is the read more...
GRITZ Compilation Volume 5 FREE Dowload Ready!
We are proud to present the new Gritz Stone Ground & Southern Compilation Volume Five. A FREE dowload for the readers of GRITZ! This time we have read more...
Southern College Football - Week 12 Themes
LEAD STORY It finally happened. For the first time since joining the SEC in 1992, the South Carolina Gamecocks will represent the East Division in read more...
Southern College Football - Week 11 Themes
LEAD STORY The Cam Newton saga continues to be the story of the week in college football. It seems very likely that his father was involved in seeking money for his son’s commitment. Does read more...
GRITZ Salutes All Veterans Today, With Thanks
Southern College Football - Week 10 Themes
LEAD STORY What an old-fashioned Southern soap opera we have on our hands. I’m sure by now you’ve read (or at least heard about) the ESPN story regarding the recruitment of Auburn read more...
Southern College Football - Week 9 Themes
LEAD STORY So much of the national attention (ESPN) at this point in the college football season goes to just the handful of teams in the BCS chase. Auburn-- as well read more...
Dylan, Petty & Drive By Truckers Participate In ‘Back To Black Friday’
Dylan, Petty & Drive By Truckers Participate In ‘Back To Black Friday’ In support of independent record stores, November 26 stands as ‘Back To Black Friday’. Artists such as Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, The Drive By Truckers, Iron & Wine, U2, read more...
Southern College Football - Week 8 Themes
LEAD STORY It’s a huge weekend in the Big 12, with conference and national title implications. Top-ranked Oklahoma travels to undefeated Missouri, while read more...
Southern College Football - Week 7 Themes
LEAD STORY With South Carolina’s huge 35-21 victory over Alabama, the SEC’s current streak of four straight National Championships looks to be in read more...
Nobel Peace Prize Campaign For Willie Nelson
Nobel Peace Prize Campaign for Willie Nelson A Nobel Peace Prize Campaign has been launched for Willie Nelson and his FARM AID efforts. For the last 25 years Nelson has assisted the American farmer through FARM AID as well as raised awareness of healthy foods.
President Obama Describes Meeting Bob Dylan
President Obama Describes Meeting Bob Dylan On September 17, 2010, President Obama conducted an interview with Jann Wenner for Rolling Stone magazine. It’s an extensive read more...
Southern College Football - Week 4 Themes
LEAD STORY Week 4 will be ‘Definition Saturday’ in our Swampland Footprint, especially in the SEC West. We should begin to see the true identity of many of our teams and what they have the potential to achieve in 2010.
Inside Alabama Politics: Fish Frys, Barbecues, and Chittlin' Suppers
According to my friend Dr. Susan Parker, Alabama politics is not just about politics; it is about food and lots of it. No political rally is complete without a read more...
2010 Big 12 Football Preview
It was quite the offseason for the Big 12, with the focus on school defections to other conferences. While Nebraska and Colorado will leave the league after this season,
Big 12 Media Days Bring a Huge Sense of Relief
What a summer it has been for the Big 12. From the impending departures of Nebraska and Colorado to the league remaining intact, the conference athletic directors and Commissioner Dan Beebe were just glad to get to the annual Big 12 Media Days in Irving, Texas. There will be still read more...
Big "XII" Stays Regional Instead of Going West
The college expansion debate and possible maneuvering by key universities over the last month had everyone in our Swampland Footprint buzzing with opinion(s), but for now all of those negotiations and rumors did not amount to much movement.
Ryan Bingham's Junky Star On The Rise
Ryan Bingham’s Junky Star Set For Fall Release In the swirl of T-Bone Burnett produced projects such as Robert Randolph’s We Walk This Road (released today), Crazy Heart as read more...
T-Bone Burnett Produces Robert Randolph's We Walk This Road
T-Bone Burnett Produces Robert Randolph’s We Walk This Road On the heels of a Grammy for Crazy Heart, T-Bone Burnett’s latest production stands as pedal steel wizard Robert Randolph’s latest CD, We Walk This Road. In
Conference Realignment: Gene Stallings Has A Texas-Sized SEC Vision For A&M
Consider us here at Swampland Sports a bit ahead of our time. In September of 2007, we published an article about realigning southern college conferences so that read more...
Titans and Falcons Add Solid Defenders in the Draft
One of the most important aspects of the NFL Draft is knowing your identity and drafting accordingly. Two franchises that have played that strategy well in recent years are the Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons. Both teams made that Playoffs in 2008 and then barely missed a read more...
Rams Draft Franchise Face in Sam Bradford
We’ll begin our NFL Draft recaps with the team who selected first overall—St. Louis. Much like Detroit a year ago, the Rams forged a new path with the selection of Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford. After passing on Matt Ryan and Mark Sanchez in the last two drafts, St. read more...
NFL Draft Impressions: Rams Get Their Man; Jags Disappoint Their Fans
Did your team improve? Is your fan base excited about the direction of your squad? We will take an in-depth look at the NFL Draft over the next couple of weeks, but wanted to give our read more...
Rams and Jaguars Can Shape Their Franchises on Draft Day
The NFL Draft is upon us, and two of the teams in our Swampland footprint have a great chance to decide the direction of their franchise for the next few seasons. The NFL is a quarterback league, and both St. Louis and Jacksonville can select signal callers who will become the face read more...
Celebrate Record Store Day 2010!
Record Store Day 2010 is read more...
Ryan Bingham & T-Bone Burnett Win An Oscar For Crazy Heart
Texas Songwriter Triumphs With Oscar
Ryan Bingham's Ascent Into The National Spotlight
Texas Songwriter Wrote Theme Song for Jeff Bridges Film Crazy Heart A few years back, Ryan Bingham’s
Jimmy Hall Added to GRITZFEST LIneup
We are happy to announce the addition of Jimmy Hall to the lineup for GRITZFEST II, to be held at Crossroads Music Hall in Huntsville, Alabama on Friday evening, February 26th beginning at 7:30 PM. The concert will benefit GRITZ Charities, with portions of proceeds going to read more...
Ram Get Local Ownership, Likely Staying in St Louis
There was good news in St. Louis this week when it was announced that Urbana, Ill., businessman Shahid Khan read more...
Big 12 Teams See Recruiting Success
We’re used to seeing Texas and Oklahoma at the top of the Big 12, and nothing was different on last week’s National Signing Day. The “Big 2” have won the last six conference title games, and they were both ranked in the nation’s Top 10 with their read more...
GRITZ Presents All New Volume II Free Compilation Download
The second "Gritz Stone Ground & Southern" compilation is now available! The FREE album download features another
Buffalo's Book Club: The Story of Missouri's Finest Southern Rock Band
Man oh man, I owe Supe Granda a big ol' apology. I started writing a review of his fine book nearly a year ago, and almost managed to let it slip read more...
National Signing Day: Christmas Morning for Southern Football Fans
It’s finally here- a virtual holiday in our Swampland Footprint.
Buffalo's Top Ten List For The Week of January 29, 2010
Howdy guys. Well it's Friday and we are under a winter storm warning so I have assembled a playlist that i feel will warm up anyone's cold day. Check 'em out. 1. Lady
Sunday Southern Rock Videos
Here are a few videos for your Sunday spotlighting some of the artists featured on our free Stone Ground & Southern Compilation. Check 'em out and if you haven't yet downloaded your free album,
Big 12 Daily Fever: Texas Tech and Tuberville make an Interesting Fit
What a winter it has been for the Texas Tech. From the firing of Mike Leach to the inspired Bowl victory to the coaching search, Red Raider fans have had quite the ride in wondering what’s next for their football program.
Download The New GRITZ Digital Compilation FREE
It's quite a special day in the Swampland. Today we begin our monthly series of digital music compilations. and every month we will be offering you the GRITZ reader a FREE download of new music from many of the artists you read about here in GRITZ. The first read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: McCoy Injury Overshadows Title Loss
It wasn't supposed to end like this. Texas fans could probably deal with a loss to Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game if they had their entire arsenal, but it just seems different after
Big 12 Daily Fever: Texas Looks for Another National Title in Pasadena
It's finally here. Over a month after surviving a Big Red scare against Ndamukong Suh and Nebraska, Texas will take on another Big Red (techinally crimson) when they meet Alabama in tonight's BCS National Championship Game.
Big 12 Daily Fever: Texas Tech Loses More Than a Coach with Leach Firing
What a Texas-sized soap opera going on in Lubbock with the Texas Tech football program. Mike Leach has been fired from the program he took to new heights, and Red Raider fans are left with anger, confusion, and frustration. The Leach ouster has so many interesting angles; read more...
Looking Back at 2009
On the last day of 2009, I thought it only made sense to recount the ten most imortant events of the year from the GRITZ perspective. 1. The Allman Brothers Band read more...
Big 12 Fever: Leach Outcome Will Have a Huge Effect on the Conference
A college football coach suspended for a game? That’s definitely something we’re not used to seeing, and there’s no doubt the Mike Leach-Texas Tech administration conflict is very unique. The school’s brass announced their outspoken coach
Merry Christmas
Mystery And Manners Christmas Dispatch Ho Ho Ho Folks, Merry Christmas! I'd like read more...
2009 Top 20 New Music Releases
Top 20 Mystery And Manners 2009 Music Releases I hate to split hairs, and even begin to rank music but read more...
T-Bone Burnett: O Brother, Where Aren't Thou?
The Latest T-Bone Burnett Ongoings This
Big 12 Daily Fever: Conference Bowl Ties in Texas Work for Fans and Teams
Both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State did not quite reach their football goals this season. The Sooners were riddled with injuries to top players and were never a factor in the league race. The Cowboys looked like the second best team in the conference, but still could not get over the read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Oklahoma State out in the cold on Indoor Facility
With temperatures below freezing in Stillwater much of last week, Oklahoma State had to brave the elements in their preparation for the Cotton Bowl against Ole Miss. Meanwhile, the Rebels practiced in their indoor facility when the weather was cold or raining. It turns out that OSU read more...
A Little Help From My Friends: A Big Thank You
I would like to say a public “thank you” to those who helped us out during the past few months. Some donated items for an auction to help with medical bills and equipment, while others made cash and in kind donations to help both GRITZ and the ol’ Buffalo himself. read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Can McCoy be the next Brees?
Colt McCoy has done almost everything at the college level. He has won major awards, put up huge statistics, set the NCAA record for wins by a quarterback, and led the 'Horns to the BCS Title Game in '09. But what about the NFL level? In recent years, we've seen many Big 12 read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Missouri Defection Would Shake Up the League
We mentioned yesterday that the Big Ten Conference was looking at possibly adding a 12th team, and that Missouri would be high on the list of choices. These types of decisions and read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Texas Hears In-house Criticism of Brown's Salary
Texas coach Mack Brown has the Longhorns playing for their second National Title in four years, and he has led the program to four BCS Bowls in a six year span. Those accomplishments, combined with the UT tradition and massive fan base, mean that the Texas football team brings in as read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Gill Makes his Priorities Clear at Kansas
Kansas made huge news in the conference this week with the naming of Turner Gill as head coach. The former Nebraska star recived a 5-year deal worth $10 million to continue the momentum on the field of the Mark Mangino regime, but without the off-the-field issues.
Big 12 Daily Fever: Conference Watches the McCoy-Suh Split Hand Heisman to Ingram
While Alabama fans celebrate, Big 12 followers are crying foul over college football’s most controversial award. With Texas quarterback Colt McCoy and Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh finishing third and fourth, many league fans believe 2009 is just the latest chapter read more...
The Best Releases of 2009
Well, it’s time once again to run down the GRITZ Best Albums of 2009. It wasn’t easy. There was a lot of good music this year, but we narrowed it down to our twenty best. Let us know what you think.
Big 12 Daily Fever: The Heisman is the only Award left for McCoy
Colt McCoy will need a new trophy case after a postseason filled with accolades. He set the NCAA record this season for wins by a starting quarterback and led the Texas read more...
The GRITZ Top Ten for Friday, December 11, 2009
1. “Monday Morning Meltdown” Gov’t Mule From their new (and red hot) release. Just one of Warren Haynes’ amazing new compositions. Got Mule? 2. “Tougher read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Mack Brown Handsomely Rewarded
They say everything is bigger in Texas, and that now certainly applies to coach’s salaries. Much like the theme in our SEC story today, the University of Texas read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Suh's Dominant Season Being Recognized
Could it happen? A defensive tackle winning the Heisman? That surprising development seems to be growing more and more possible
Big 12 Daily Fever: Texas Adjusts to Underdog Role
Texas rolled through most of the conference season before being challenged mightily by the Nebraska defense in the Title Game. Now the Longhorns face a tougher obstacle in read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Texas Survives Big Red Scare
Texas only got 13 points in their 13th victory, but it was just enough to get by Nebraska for the Big 12 Championship. The ugly defensive battle ended 13-12 on read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Mangino Resignation Could Create Domino Effect
With Texas set as a two-touchdown favorite in the Big 12 Championship, the biggest story in the conference becomes the ouster of Mark Mangino at Kansas.
Big 12 Daily Fever: League Titles Have Been Scarce for Texas Lately
Texas has become a superpower once again during Mack Brown's tenure, winning more games than any other school in the country since 1998. Ten victories in a season read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: North Division Needs a Power Team
With much of the media attention on Atlanta and the SEC this week. the Big 12 Championship at Cowboys Stadium is receiving much less national fanfare. The fan read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Texas and Nebraska Prepare for Title Clash
Much of the attention this week before the Big 12 Championship Game will be on the matchup between the Texas offense and the Nebraska defense. Longhorn quarterback Colt McCoy has been read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: OU Dominates Bedlam Game
While most of this season has been frustrating for Oklahoma fans, their counterparts in Stillwater have enjoyed a pretty successful year. But as far as Oklahoma State taking read more...
The GRITZ Top Ten for Friday, November 27, 2009
Every Friday GRITZ brings you our “Top Ten,” a playlist of songs past and present that we have been listening too here in the office - songs you just can’t live without. Check ‘em out and please leave a comment. 1. Amos Moses
Big 12 Daily Fever: McCoy leads Texas with Heisman-like Performance
Although Texas A&M gave them quite the game, Texas took care of business 49-39 over the Aggies and Colt McCoy vaulted himself to the front of read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: A&M Hosts Texas for Thanksgiving
Texas wrapped up the South Division last week, and Texas A&M became bowl eligible with their win over Baylor. So there's not much to play for at Kyle Field on read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Texas Tech Crushes Oklahoma in Lubbock
What a game Mike Leach’s club had against Oklahoma . Texas Tech outgained the Sooners by 239 yards on their way to a convincing 41-13 victory. After getting throttled 65-21 last read more...
The GRITZ Top Ten for Friday, November 20, 2009
Every Friday GRITZ brings you our “Top Ten,” a playlist of songs past and present that you just can’t live without. Check ‘em out and please leave a comment. 1. “Ramblin”
Big 12 Daily Fever: Unlikely Candidate Leads OSU Comeback
What a wild win for Mike Gundy's Oklahoma State club on senior night in Stillwater. With starting QB Zac Robinson unable to play and backup Alex Cate struggling, read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Special Game Tonight For OSU Seniors
As Oklahoma State prepares to host Colorado tonight, Mike Gundy will be focused on the game and the injury status of quarterback Zac Robinson. read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: OU's Murray May Return in 2010
Oklahoma received some potentially big news this week when star tailback DeMarco Murray said he was “pretty sure” of returning to Norman read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Kansas State-Nebraska Clash Will Decide The North
Kansas State travels to Lincoln on Saturday, and they will battle Nebraska for the North's berth into the Big 12 Title Game. Bill Snyder has returned to the Wildcats sideline read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: McCoy Ties QB Wins Record As Texas Remains Unbeaten
Many of the stories for the Big 12 Fever during the 2009 season have been negative in nature. Whether it was the injuries to Oklahoma's stars or the struggles of the North read more...
The GRITZ Top Ten for Friday, November 13, 2009
Every Friday GRITZ brings you our “Top Ten,” a playlist of songs past and present that you just can’t live without. Check ‘em out and please leave a comment. 1. Save The Planet Dixie Tabernacle From the
Big 12 Daily Fever: OSU-Texas Tech Should Create Fireworks
The league's best game of the week looks to be a potential shootout when Texas Tech travels to Stillwater to meets the Cowboys. The last time Oklahoma State read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: '09 Teams Succeeding With Less Passing, More Running
Last week, Nebraska relied on the running game to beat Oklahoma while the Sooners threw five interceptions. Oklahoma State won at Iowa State by running for 331 yards while only throwing for 142. Kansas State beat rival Kansas by rushing for 266 yards and passing for 66.
Big 12 Daily Fever: Does It Matter Which North Team Plays Texas In The Title Game?
A Nebraska writer has penned an interesting column that suggests the Cornhuskers would be the better opponent for Texas in order to have a competitive Big 12 Title game. We can surmise that fans in read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Texas A&M's Late Collapse Endangers Postseason Hopes
Mike Sherman’s club entered the Colorado game having won two in a row and seemed ready to make it three with an eleven-point lead at the half. However,
Big 12 Daily Fever: Nebraska Shuts Down Oklahoma Offense
Oklahoma’s season went from frustrating to worse Saturday as Nebraska’s defense controlled the battle of the ‘Big Reds’ for a 10-3 win.
Swampland Search Engine and Links
Dear Y'all, I have had many people asking me about our site search engine, and I want to assure you all that it is being worked on. We are aware of the issues with the searches and the bad links and our webmaster is working to resolve the issues as soon as possible. We are read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: The OU-Nebraska Rivalry Should Happen Every Season
Berry Tramel of 'The Oklahoman' writes this week about something that just seems obvious to most college football fans: the Oklahoma-Nebraska game should happen every year.
Big 12 Daily Fever: K-State ascension could hurt league's image
Bill Snyder has returned to the sideline in Manhattan, Kansas, and the Wildcats are sitting in first place in the Big 12’s “little brother” Division. The read more...
Gritz Fan Page On Facebook to Offer Special Surprises
The Gritz Fan Page at Facebook is up and running. I hope you will all take the time to
Big 12 Daily Fever: OU-Nebraska has lost a little luster
It’s still the battle of the “Big Reds”, but this one doesn’t have quite the significance of past Oklahoma-Nebraska read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Sherman Has Aggies Thinking About A Bowl Berth
Texas A&M started the season by winning their first three games against rather weak opponents. That was followed by losing three in a row, including an embarrassing read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Texas Clearly the Conference's Best
Texas versus Oklahoma State was built up as the game of the year in the conference, but the Longhorns separated themselves from the rest of the league with a read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: OSU-Texas Could Decide the Big 12
The biggest game in Oklahoma State history? It's starting to feel that way around Stillwater as the Cowboys prepare to host #3 Texas on Saturday night. OSU enters the game 6-1 overall and unbeaten in the conference, and the ramifications of beating the Longhorns would be read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Sam Bradford Shouldn't Be Second-Guessed
Sam Bradford had successful surgery yesterday, and he now will rehabilitate his shoulder in preparation for the NFL Draft. The read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: OSU-Texas Should Be a Barnburner
Texas and Oklahoma State will meet in Stillwater this Saturday night in what looks to be the Big 12 game of the year. The enthusiasm of the Cowboys fan base was read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Nebraska Must Rebound For Conference Balance To Return
We've been very critical of the North Division and for good reason. As the conference tries to catch the SEC in national perception, the North has become an anchor read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Texas A&M Gives The Big 12 South Even More Depth
While many consider Iowa State winning 9-7 over Nebraska the league's biggest surprise on Saturday, the divisional disparity in the Big 12 becomes cleraer when taken in combination with what occurred in Lubbock when
Big 12 Daily Fever: Could Bradford Return In 2010?
There was much debate last winter on whether Oklahoma's Sam Bradford should enter the NFL Draft. He had won the Heisman Trophy, and many thought he would be the read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Texas Tech's Profile Continues To Rise Under Leach
As Texas Tech prepares to host Texas A&M this week, this game looks like two teams headed in different directions. After two tough losses to Top 20 teams to read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Gundy Has OSU in Big 12 Contention
It’s been quite the rollercoaster for Mike Gundy’s Oklahoma State team. The renovated Pickens Stadium played host to a huge opening week victory over Georgia, read more...
SPF Daily Rating: Team In Turmoil #1 - Washington Redskins
We knew it was going to be a tough year for several SPF teams. We are going to spend some time this week on a few individual teams to give a sense of their respective level of desperation. Our first team is the Washington Redskins. Their fall might be the read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: North Division coming up short
We have written many times that for the Big 12 to catch the SEC in power, the North Division was going to have to pull its weight.
Big 12 Daily Fever: Bradford Knocked Out Again, Texas Squeaks To Win
The nightmare for Oklahoma fans continued Saturday as their Heisman-winning quarterback was laying on the turf for the second time this season. Sam Bradford read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Oklahoma-Texas should be a Classic
This one has it all-Tradition, Star players, Conference and National Title implications, and good old-fashioned hate. The Red River Rivalry will kick off read more...
SPF Daily Rating: Bengals Blackout?
The Bengals have had a dream season so far. They've beaten their arch rival (Steelers). They've beaten their in state rival. They are a last minute tipped pass away from being undefeated, but they are still at 4-1 and lead the AFC North.
Big 12 Daily Fever: Beyond The Red River Rivalry
Most of the attention in Big 12 country this week will be on the Red River Rivalry, but there are two other league games that will go a long way in defining the conference season.
Big 12 Daily Fever: Texas Wants A Red River Win To Lift Their Season
Maybe it’s just gamesmanship before a huge rivalry battle, but the Texas Longhorns say they are glad to see Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford back on the field and ready to go read more...
SPF Daily Rating: Saints Fever Sweeping the Gulf Coast
As we predicted, it has been a pretty dire year for SPF teams. Even one of our playoff locks, the Tennessee Titans, is surprisingly winless and going nowhere fast. The best news amongst our SPF teams comes from the Saints who made an off season commitment to read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Texas Tech Has QB Decision To Make
In ten years at Texas Tech, Mike Leach had never seen one of his starting quarterbacks miss a start because of injury. That changed last Saturday when Steven read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Bradford Back Just In Time For The Sooners
Oklahoma fans received some comforting news the weekend when Sam Bradford was announced as the starter. The Heisman winner threw for 389 yards and a score in read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Mizzou Suffers Loss With Brutal 4th Quarter
It looked good for three quarters. Missouri was up 12-0 over Nebraska in a game that saw a torrential downpour throughout the night in Columbia. Unfortunately for read more...
SPF Daily Rating: Blank Talks About A New Stadium In Atlanta For Falcons
Amidst a serious economic downturn, Falcons owner Arthur Blank has again begun engaging in public discussion about a new stadium to replace the Georgia Dome. The fact read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Tonight's Missouri-Nebraska Clash May Decide the North Division
A key game in the Big 12 North will take place Thursday night when the surprising Missouri Tigers host Nebraska. Gary Pinkel’s team has been one of the nice surprises read more...
SPF Daily Rating: Del Rio Keeps Playing Silly Games #3
We guess Jack Del Rio's two game win streak has further emboldened him. After already playing silly media games with players on two different occasions (here and read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Both With QB Issues, OU and Baylor Prepare To Face Off
When Oklahoma travels to meet Baylor, all eyes will be focused on the quarterback position-for both teams. Obviously the whole nation is waiting to see if Sam read more...
SPF Daily Rating: Are the Cowboys and Texans Going In Opposite Directions?
As always, there is panic in Cowboy Nation. Panic like this always ensues when their beloved team isn't undefeated or at least in the top half read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Texas In the Driver's Seat
The early story in the conference has been the decline of injury-riddled Oklahoma and their two non-conference losses. Meanwhile, the
SPF Daily Rating: Saints Look Consistent, Perhaps Elite At 4-0
It's early, but the 2009 New Orleans Saints look like a very, very good team. No one has ever questioned this team's read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Bradford-less Oklahoma loses at Miami
It started well enough. The Oklahoma defense got two early interceptions, but Landry Jones and the offense could only turn them into seven points. Miami eventually got read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Jones, Not Bradford, Will Lead OU At Miami
The mystery is over for Oklahoma: Landry Jones will start at quarterback when the Sooners travel to Miami to meet a hungry Canes squad.
SPF Daily Rating: Del Rio Cancels Garrard's Radio Show
We hate piling on, but Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio has been asking for it. Just recently, we wrote about Del Rio's penchant for playing silly games - most read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Baylor's Once Attainable Bowl Bid Seems in Doubt After Injuries
We’ve written this week about the tough blow Baylor suffered when start quarterback Robert Griffin was lost for the season. Based on his stellar freshman read more...
SPF Daily Rating: Jaguars to Orlando?
Orlando Sentinel sports columnist, Mike Bianchi, made some big sports news today when he reported that the Jacksonville Jaguars might be looking to move
Big 12 Daily Fever: An Undefeated Texas A&M Relies on Youth
Lost in all the Big 12 buzz has been Mike Sherman's quiet rebuilding job in College Station. Most were wondering how A&M had sunk so low before Sherman's hiring. It looks like it's the same old story - not enough recruiting of talent.
SPF Daily Rating: Dolphins Trade for Thigpen
The Miami Dolphins wasted no time replacing injured QB Chad Pennington by trading for former Chiefs and Coastal Carolina QB Tyler Thigpen in the wake of Pennington's decision to have read more...
Buffalo's Top Ten List For The Week of September 29th, 2009
1. Kris Kristofferson Closer to the Bone (CD) I wear this one like a warm winter coat. To me, it is what music is all about - great songs, no frills, read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Bradford Creates A Tough Dilemma for Stoops
The decision of the season is rapidly approaching for Bob Stoops: does Sam Bradford play against Miami read more...
SPF Daily Rating: Chad Pennington to Miss Season
Although they don't want to officially announce it yet because of a possible misdiagnosis, the immediate signs are that Dolphins QB Chad Pennington will miss the 2009 season with a shoulder read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Tech loses late at Houston
It was a fairly solid week for the Big 12 as most of the conference beat up non-BCS opponents. But the one that got away was the read more...
SPF Daily Rating: Texas Stadium RIP
Last night, the Irving (TX) City Council approved the funds to demolish Texas Stadium. Lost in all the hype of the new Cowboys Stadium, it's hard to believe that a place with so read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Rival Abilene QBs Match Up in Houston vs Texas Tech
The talk of Texas this week continues to be the high octane matchup of Texas Tech at Houston. Second year HC Kevin Sumlin has read more...
SPF Daily Rating: What if Redskins Lose To Lowly Lions? Bye, Bye Zorn
It's the unthinkable times two. The first unthinkable is that an NFL team can finish 0-16. That already happened with last year's Detroit Lions. Now that the Lions are 0-2 to start the 2009 season, the question starts - "who will they finally read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Mizzou's 3-0 Start Bolsters Northern Half of Conference
One of the best developments for the Big 12 North this season has been the solid early start of the Missouri Tigers. With the departure of Chase read more...
SPF Daily Rating: Del Rio Playing Silly Games in Jacksonville
In what should be a small story, Jags coach Jack Del Rio has brought back WR Nate Hughes to the practice squad after cutting him on read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Texas Tech and Houston Provide A Weekend Shootout
Big 12 Daily Fever is the top Big 12 story of the day. Disagree? Let us know. In what promises to be a Wild West offensive onslaught, Texas Tech will meet Houston in a game that sees these two teams in unfamiliar roles.
SPF Daily Rating: Lack of Playmakers Leave Florida Teams Winless
"I'm not interested in Pro Bowl players, I'm interested in world champions." "[I'm interested in 'non-talent issues' [namely] the hustle, the effort, the technique, the fundamentals, all of those things." The above quotes read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Bradford Back on the Practice Field
Big 12 Daily Fever is the top Big 12 story of the day. Disagree? Let us know. Bob Stoops and the Oklahoma doctors will have an interesting decision to make in the upcoming weeks.
SPF Daily Rating: The Saints Roll Again Behind Smart Decisions
The New Orleans Saints keep their high powered offense rolling once again as they went into Philadelphia and smoked the Eagles 48-22. What read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Longhorns Looking Like The Class of the Conference
Big 12 Daily Fever is the top Big 12 story of the day. Disagree? Let us know. Texas was able to take care of business against Texas Tech this year, and it looks like
Buffalo's Top Ten List For The Week of September 19th, 2009
1. Swampdawamp Rock This Country (CD) The singer has one of the most unusual voices since Jim Dandy, and the band just plain rocks, read more...
SPF Daily Rating: Houston Texans Don't Like Being Called "Soft"
To say the Houston Texans have been disappointing since entering the NFL as a expansion team in 2002 would be an understatement. In a way, however, everything about the Texans seems understated, including their presence on the field according to those who have been calling read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Mike Leach Tries To Downplay Tech vs Texas
Big 12 Daily Fever is the top Big 12 story of the day. Disagree? Let us know. Texas is ready to tackle a key step towards their goal of a Big 12 (and National) Title when they host Texas Tech Saturday night.
SPF Daily Rating: Jacksonville Mayor Makes Personal Plea For Fans To Buy Jags Tix
The Jaguars lost an astonishing 17,000 season ticket holders between this season and last. Expectations are that most of their games will be blacked out locally. So who have the Jags turned to?
Big 12 Daily Fever: Nebraska Hopes Maturity Will Lead To Win Over Virginia Tech
Big 12 Daily Fever is the top Big 12 story of the day. Disagree? Let us know. The game of the week nationally may be the Nebraska-Virginia Tech matchup.
SPF Daily Rating: Delhomme Under Fire In Carolina
Things are getting ugly in Charlotte and Carolina for Panthers QB Jake Delhomme. Delhomme is getting major flack from fans. read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Texas Says Revenge Not The Goal Against Texas Tech
Big 12 Daily Fever is the top Big 12 story of the day. Disagree? Let us know. It was the signature highlight of the 2008 season- Michael Crabtree’s catch and score as Texas Tech upset undefeated Texas.
Big 12 Daily Fever: Nebraska Battles Big 12 North Credibility, Virginia Tech
Big 12 Daily Fever is the top Big 12 story of the day. Disagree? Let us know. As the North Division strives to catch up with the South, the need for big non-conference wins becomes paramount.
SPF Daily Rating: The Falcons Display Winning Formula in Week One
The Atlanta Falcons have opened 2009 just like they did 2008 - by winning decisively. The main difference is that they beat the ultimately 0-16 read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Oklahoma State Fails To Handle Success
Big 12 Daily Fever is the top ACC story of the day. Disagree? Let us know. After a thrilling 24-10 win over Georgia, the fans in Stillwater were on Cloud 9. With a Top 10 ranking and the cross-state rival Sooners loss, the potential of read more...
Big 12 Weekend Fever: OSU Puts Fans Ahead of Money
Big 12 Weekend Fever Previews Top Stories for the Upcoming Weekend What a tough decision for Oklahoma State athletic director Mike Holder: Dallas vs. Stillwater for the huge opener agianst Georgia.
Big 12 Daily Fever: Aggies Early Schedule Helps To Build Youth and Momentum
Big 12 Daily Fever is the top ACC story of the day. Disagree? Let us know.
Big 12 Daily Fever: Injuries Quickly Put A Damper On OU's 2009 expectations
Big 12 Daily Fever is the top ACC story of the day. Disagree? Let us know. The young season just keeps getting worse for Oklahoma.
Big 12 Daily Fever: Devastating Opener for the Sooners
Big 12 Daily Fever is the top Big 12 story of the day. Disagree? Let us know. There was the nightmare-with less than ten seconds to go in the first half. It was Oklahoma’s worst fear;
Big 12 Daily Fever: Can Mizzou Show That The Big 12 North Isn't Just The Big Ten?
Big 12 Daily Fever is the top Big 12 story of the day. Disagree? Let us know. A very meaningful game for the Big 12 North will happen Saturday when Missouri meets Illinois in the opener.
Big 12 Daily Fever: Oklahoma gets a Scare
Big 12 Daily Fever is the top Big 12 story of the day. Disagree? Let us know. Nervous Sooner fans are still waiting for official confirmation from Oklahoma, but apparently
Big 12 Daily Fever: OSU Battling Distractions Before Georgia Opener
Big 12 Daily Fever is the top Big 12 story of the day. Disagree? Let us know. It’s been an interesting week in Stillwater as Oklahoma State prepares for their huge matchup with Georgia.
Big 12 Daily Fever: Sherman Hopes Personal Example Inspires Aggie Players
Big 12 Daily Fever is the top Big 12 story of the day. Disagree? Let us know. After going 4-8 in his first season in College Station, Mike Sherman knows how hard he must work to turn things around.
Big 12 Daily Fever: Led By Griffin, Baylor Looks Ready to Surprise
Big 12 Daily Fever is the top Big 12 story of the day. Disagree? Let us know. When looking for candidates to challenge the “Big 2” in the South Division, most experts see Oklahoma State playing the role this season that Texas read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Does Taylor Potts Represent a New Era of Texas Tech QBs?
Big 12 Daily Fever is the top Big 12 story of the day. Disagree? Let us know. The same question always hangs over the Texas Tech program- is it the quarterback or the system?
Big 12 Daily Fever: Longhorn DB Earl Thomas Looks To Help Revive Defense
Big 12 Daily Fever is the top Big 12 story of the day. Disagree? Let us know. In the conference currently known for offense, the team that plays the best defense may be the one that advances to the Title game.
No Holds Barred: Blackjack Mulligan
Of all the wrestlers I have seen step into the squared circle, none was more exciting than the “man in black,” the Texas giant known as Blackjack Mulligan.
Big 12 Daily Fever: Will Missouri run the ball more in 2009?
Big 12 Daily Fever is the top Big 12 story of the day. Disagree? Let us know. With Chase Daniel at the helm, Mizzou fans got used to seeing the ball tossed all over the field.
Big 12 Daily Fever: A&M leading WR changes positions
Big 12 Daily Fever is the top Big 12 story of the day. Disagree? Let us know. Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman has made an interesting decision
Devon Allman Talks About His Band, His Dad, and Uncle Duane
Devon Allman is bearing his soul at last. After years of self-described "running from his heritage," he is happy and healthy and proud to be the son of Southern Rock legend
Big 12 Daily Fever: The Big 12 Makes Comparisons to the SEC - Should They?
Big 12 Daily Fever is the top Big 12 story of the day. Disagree? Let us know. The Big 12 conference was well represented in the initial AP Top 25 Poll with
Big 12 Daily Fever: Fans Are Lining Up In Stillwater
Big 12 Daily Fever is the top Big 12 story of the day. Disagree? Let us know. As a highly-anticipated season approaches for Oklahoma State, we know about the preseason Top 10 rating, the renovations to Boone Pickens Stadium, and the read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: OU Linebacker Sues NCAA
Big 12 Daily Fever is the top Big 12 story of the day. Disagree? Let us know. We wrote earlier in the week about read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Red Raiders get RB back
Big 12 Daily Fever is the top Big 12 story of the day. Disagree? Let us know. Texas Tech got some welcome news as it appears that
Big 12 Daily Fever: Big Recruiting News for Mizzou
Big 12 Daily Fever is the top Big 12 story of the day. Disagree? Let us know. Missouri got some huge news read more...
Big 12 Daily Fever: Sooners Await Status of Key LB
Big 12 Daily Fever is the top Big 12 story of the day. Disagree? Let us know. Oklahoma is still read more...
Toby Keith's Controversial New Video, See It Here
Toby Keith has never been one to hold back on his feelings. Now he has a new song and video that are already stirring up controversy. Imagine that. I'll leave the commenting up to you, our readers. Let us know what you think! Meanwhile... Keep it Real. Keep it read more...
More Legends Added to Photo Scrapbook
Howdy y'all. I hope everyone is having a great weekend. It's time once again to add another page to our ongoing Legends of Southern Rock Photo Scrapbook. No theme this time, read more...
In Defense of Steve Spurrier: How The Ole Ball Coach's Honest Humility Might Help Carolina
Is the SEC seeing a new side of Steve Spurrier in the wake of what seemed to be an uncharacteristic performance at this year's SEC Media Days? His current situation hinges around a piece Swampland Sports wrote last February
Can the Big 12 or the ACC catch the SEC?
With every football season, the conversation around the nation leads to the inevitable question- who is the best conference? Many fans answer the same every year (their favorite) while others look a little more objectively. I found it interesting a couple of weeks ago when separate read more...
Orrin Hatch's Folly: Senator, College Football Is About Conferences, Not Teams
After concluding Senate hearings about the BCS, Senator Orrin Hatch wrote an op-ed piece that appeared on ESPN.com. Here's a selection of that article: During the June 7 read more...
The Shocking Loss of Steve McNair
So there I was in Nashville- relaxing by the water with friends on the 4th of July like most of us like to do. Then I heard something that made the festive holiday mood fade quickly; “Steve McNair had been shot”. Could this really be, or maybe it was just bad read more...
NBA Draft: Swampland's Pro Hoops Teams
Pro sports has a problem in the Swampland Footprint. Considered the top level of competition and interest throughout the rest of the country, the pro game doesn't resonate with read more...
FedEx's Fred Smith Could Be The Perfect New Owner for the Rams
In our post-draft update, SPF wrote about the murky future of the St Louis Rams. Since then, they've officially put up the "For Sale" sign leading many read more...
Southern Baseball Leads the Way Again
On the eve of the College World Series and Major League Draft, we thought we should take a look at some of the top baseball prospects in our Swampland read more...
Allman Brothers, Bonnie Bramlett and More Posted On New Legends Scrapbook Page
Hey gang! More new Southern Rock photos have been posted in the Legends Scrapbook. Allmans, Tucker, Bonnie Bramlett and much more. Check it out here! Keep read more...
Rams Try Rebuild (and Remain) in St Louis for the Long Haul
At the beginning of this decade, the St. Louis Rams were as identifiable as any team in the NFL. The “Greatest Show on Turf” had star power to burn with the likes of Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Torry Holt and Issac Bruce. However, while those teams were lighting up read more...
Win a Dean Guitar Signed by Legends of Southern Rock
Hi Guys. It's time for the much talked about, long awaited Legends of Southern Rock Contest, brought to you by Swampland and the Facebook Groups
Random Notes, Hoopee Jam, Boxmasters and Such
Greetings, Sports Fans. I was hoping to have our new Boxmasters interview ready for you today, but it turned out to be quite an opus. Still transcribing. But man oh man, is it a good one. I had the opportunity read more...
Parcells Formula Works Again in Miami
Retirement and South Florida mix very well for many of us, but not for Bill Parcells. He left the comforts of retired life to return to football and resuscitate the fading Dolphins, who had been such a successful franchise for many years. Coming off a 1-15 debacle in 2007, the read more...
Texans Need to Break Through the Wall of Mediocrity
The pressure will be coming from the top for the Houston Texans to have their first winning season and first postseason appearance in their eighth year in the NFL. Dom Capers, who read more...
2009 Season Represents a Change in Philosophy for the Cowboys
We must start out by saying that our thoughts and prayers here at Swampland are with the Dallas Cowboys family after the horrific collapse of their read more...
Bengals Have Glimpse of Hope with Stellar Draft
Marvin Lewis is entering his seventh season as the Bengals head coach, and 2009 could very well be his make-or-break season to get the culture of losing changed in Cincinnati.
Panthers Making Every Effort to Win Now
It all seemed to be falling into place for John Fox’s club last season. Coming off a losing 2007 campaign where Jake Delhomme only played three games, Carolina rediscovered their physical running game identity in 2008 and won the NFC South. At 12-4 and the #2 seed in the NFC, read more...
Falcons Future Looks Bright with Dimitroff in Charge
To borrow a line from Robert Randolph, the Atlanta Falcons are now a team that is definitely “going in the right direction". Just two years ago, this organization was in turmoil. Their franchise quarterback, Michael Vick, was arrested on federal charges and consequently read more...
Swampland's NFL Draft Impressions
How did your team do? That’s the question that NFL fans are trying to answer following this weekend’s annual NFL Draft. We will take an in-depth look at each team in our read more...
NFL Teams Draft Their Identity This Weekend
Well it's finally here-Xmas in April for football fans. The ultimate convergence of pro and college football happens today with the annual NFL Draft. This is a day of hope for every fan base, and it's also the day(s) that NFL executives decide on the identity of their respective read more...
Should NFL Teams Lean Towards Drafting Local College Favorites?
A theme that seems to arise every season in our Swampland footprint is the choice of NFL teams to draft a local college favorite. Most professional organizations will deny that this decision ever enters their thinking, and that they always select the next best player on their Draft read more...
Back To Where it All Began: The Southern Rock Era
I have pretty much decided that the whole "Southern Rock" thing began in 1969. Sure, there were many rock and rollers and rockabillys that lead up to this new genre at the time. Not to mention all the country, blues and gospel players that served as influences on read more...
In Defense of Jay Cutler: Why Most SPF Teams Still Don't Get It
I wish it hadn't come to this [trading Cutler]. I'm disappointed. . . . It's a sad day for one of the elite franchises in football and all the Broncos fans, and I'm sad - John Elway The saga of Jay Cutler has mesmerized the NFL landscape just like Brett Favre did read more...
Billy Gillispie's Fate Could Send Big Ripples Throughout the SEC and the Footprint
Mark Wiedmer at the Chattanooga Time Free Press has it right. If Billy Gillispie gets fired, it will create a coaching shakeup around the Swampland read more...
Join Our Southern Rock Group On Facebook
I am very happy to announce our new "Legends of Southern Rock" group on Facebook. If you are a Facebook member, just follow the Legends link above and join us. We have one discussion already read more...
Mickey Rourke and The Nature Boy: Pro Wrestling and The Oscars
I am more excited than usual about this year’s Oscars, for several reasons, but the primary reason is the one movie that just blew me out of the water lately. That movie was
SEC Dominance - From the Field to Recruiting (And It Isn't Stopping Soon)
The reaction to Signing Day is always interesting as every coach in America is thrilled with their class while fans have mixed reactions to their school’s ranking and new players. Everyone that followed Wednesday's coverage saw plenty of ESPN's favorite big-market teams read more...
Xmas in February for Southern College Football Fans (SEC, Big 12, ACC, Big East)
It’s finally here! National Signing Day is upon us, and this is the time where quality programs establish themselves for the upcoming years. The welcoming of a new recruiting class energizes fans and provides coaches with the opportunity to show that their school will be-or read more...
Mack Brown and the Longhorns Must Judiciously Draw Talent from their Texas Base
Water is wet, the sky is blue, and the University of Texas is working on another top-notch recruiting class. The Longhorns Mine Their State's Natural Talent Base Most BCS schools try to comb their region (if not the read more...
SB Sunday Reflections on the SPF Season: Teams Fell Short; Dungy & Gruden Gone
As the Footprint wakes to a Sunday featuring the 43rd Super Bowl hosted by one of our great Swampland cities, it gives us a chance to reflect on the past SPF season. Although five of our 13 SPF teams made the playoffs, none made any noise since they all were "one and read more...
Swampland's Legends of Southern Rock
Hey gang, check out our Swampland Legends of Southern Rock Series. We are always adding new bands and updating the existing pages, which chronicle the histories of these awesome bands and link to various articles and interviews within GRITZ. Phone the neighbors, wake the read more...
The Best Releases of 2008
We are happy to present what we feel are the very best album releases of the past year. Please let us know what you think. Buffalo
SEC and Big 12 Championship Game Reax
The college football regular season ended by giving us the matchup that made the most sense--the SEC Champion vs. the Big 12 Champion. The BCS title game should be a high-scoring, exciting affair and one that all of the fans in our Swampland footprint will appreciate. Florida will read more...
The Sunday Slate (Week Fourteen): NFC South Showdowns!
We had to take a couple of weeks off due to technical issues with the site. Check out our Faulkner-inspired T.I. Poll to see how the teams rank. On to this week's read more...
Saturday's Slate: Conference Championships
Here we are, after a week off due to technical difficulties, to find ourselves on the verge of crowning some conference champions and setting up the BCS Title teams. It has been a long and exciting year. Luckily for us, today's games have the potential to live up to the read more...
Mystery And Manners' Top 25 Releases of 2008
Mystery And Manners’ Top 25 2008 Releases 12/5/08 Here’s a list (in no specific rank or order) of Mystery And Manners’ top 25 releases of 2008. The category includes new releases, DVDs, books, re-issues and relevant CDs that read more...
Swampland Footprint National Title: Big 12 vs. SEC
So it’s Oklahoma that gets the chance to represent the Big 12 South in Kansas City, and they will probably get a shot at the National title with a victory. Of read more...
Snowman's Six-Pack of Reax from Saturday
1. It has finally happened. For the first time since 1982, the Vanderbilt Commodores will be eligible to go to a bowl. Vandy rode D.J. Moore read more...
Time to Cowboy Up
Yeeee hah! Legacy Recordings celebrates the 50th anniversary of the National Finals Rodeo with an absolutely killer boxed set of cowboy songs, old and new. This one really brought back memories of my old Roy Rogers guitar, playing in the back yard with my little black read more...
The Sunday Slate (Week Eleven): Key Swampland Showdowns in Jax, DC, and Indy!
After four SPF teams have byes last week (Dallas, Washington, Tampa Bay, and Cincinnati), we are heading into the home stretch. Intra-division matchups will determine playoffs berths. This week our two SPF NFC East teams and the entire AFC South face off. As read more...
Billy Bob and The Boxmasters On The Road Again with Willie Nelson
I just got word from Billy Bob Thornton's folks that The Boxmasters will hit the road with
Saturday's Slate: SEC vs. Big 12 South Looking Good!
After a season of many a wild ride, a little clarity emerged from last week's games. The SEC has their championship game set. The Big 12 is now down to three (maybe four) potential BCS participants. The rest of our TF conferences have a ways to go, but none of read more...
Snowman's Six-Pack of Reax from Saturday
1. After all of the Nick Saban drama last week in Baton Rouge, we finally got a close game from a SEC marquee matchup. Alabama and LSU staged a very hard-fought battle, but as we’ve written about so much this season in the SEC, the quarterback play was the difference. Alabama read more...
The Sunday Slate (Week Ten): Byes Galore
Four SPF teams have byes this week (Dallas, Washington, Tampa Bay, and Cincinnati). There are only a few good-looking games on the schedule. The rest, outside of a select few, look like virtual byes - either be easy wins or sad losses. As Always, SPF teams in read more...
Saturday's Slate: The November Home Stretch Begins!
College football remains the Footprint's most compelling and spectacular sport. The 2008 season has delivered us yet again a roller coaster ride of sporting goodness. The stakes have been high all season. So far, at least two key programs (Tennessee and read more...
Snowman's Six-Pack of Reax from Saturday
1. Wow – what an instant classic in the Lonestar State. Texas Tech pulled off an amazing upset of #1 Texas with one second to go and sent their raucous fans read more...
The Sunday Slate (Week Nine): SPF Inter-league Barometer Time
Carolina and New Orleans have bye weeks. There's one Swampland Showdown. The rest of today's Slate features matchups between SPF teams and the rest of the NFL. There is a chance that SPF teams can go undefeated this week sending a huge message to the rest of the read more...
Saturday's Slate: Top Games in Each Conference Will Decide Champions
Georgia and Florida in Jacksonville The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party has more at stake than ever – read more...
Tuesday Tastings (Week 8): Midway Point
Thanks to Patrick "Snowman" Snow's item early Monday morning, he helped us cover a lot of ground for our tastings. Without any further waiting... FINGER-LICKIN' read more...
Snowman's Six-Pack of Reax from Sunday
1) The Titans and Colts will go at it on Monday Night Football in the Music City. Tennessee comes into the game undefeated and looks to deliver the ultimate knockout blow to the usual AFC South Champ. The
Buffalo's Soap Box: The Economy, The Election and Stealing Music
I'm stepping back up onto my reinforced industrial strength Soap Box. You have been warned. Something has to be done. No matter who becomes the president in a few days, there is a huge task ahead. The economy has never been so bad, at least in my life time. It seems read more...
Snowman's Six-Pack of Reax from Saturday
1) The biggest difference between teams in the SEC this season is simply quarterback play. Alabama, Georgia, and Florida came into the season with experienced/quality signal callers, and they have been the class of the league. Lack of experience or just poor play at quarterback has read more...
The Sunday Slate (Week Eight): Big Games in Big D, Music City
Finally, we have a few big games to savor. As Always, SPF teams in CAPS with (Week 7's T.I. Poll Ranking) TAMPA BAY (4) @ DALLAS (1) - This pivotal Swampland read more...
Saturday's Slate: A Bit of Relative Calm Before the Storm
Although you can't take a week off in college football, this week seems like a palate cleanser before some of the biggest homestretch games are played. November will feature great game after great game and next week's
Tuesday Tastings (Week 7): Rams Recognized, while Dallas Declines
It was a tough week of football in SPF land. Two of our teams were off (Jacksonville and Atlanta) and several others played like they were taking the week off. FINGER LICKIN' GOOD St. Louis Rams - It is time to read more...
The Sunday Slate (Week Seven): Find Some Magic
With only four games worthy of interest and two teams off (Atlanta and Jacksonville), we are looking for a little magic in our Sunday Slate. The NFL usually provides a few unexpected surprises. Maybe this is that week. It certainly won't be hard with entertaiment read more...
Saturday's Slate: BCS Busters vs. Disciplined Talent
Last week was a lesson in symmetry. Many teams met on the field that looked like mirror images. Something had to give, and it did. 3 of the top 5 teams lost giving the nation a new number one, Texas, who beat Oklahoma in what was probably a top 10 of all time Red read more...
Tuesday Tastings (Week 6): Burt Reynolds Loves The Falcons!
It was a very weird week in SPF land. Many teams lost games they weren't expected to lose. A few others had surprising wins. (The Titans were off so they don't get included this week.) FINGER LICKIN' read more...
Pro Wrestling in The Seventies: Ox Baker
I am really excited about our brand new, ongoing series No Holds Barred. The series will look at the stars and memories of the hey day of pro wrestling in the south, especially here in the Mid Atlantic area. I will be profiling many of the stars of the sport during the read more...
The Sunday Slate (Week Six): The "Must Wins" Begin
The NFL is a game of inches. Each week matters. The stories of each of our SPF teams are told as the season unfolds. There have been enough games to know that this week has more than a few teams in desperation mode. Simply put, more than a few of our teams read more...
Saturday's Slate: Symmetry Saturday
We've already been treated to upsets throughout the Tribal Fever landscape, but let's not forget that upsets require a precondition of disparity between teams, etiher real or imagined. This Saturday's games are of a different sort. It seems across the board that all read more...
Tuesday Tastings (Week 5): Nothing Is Easy
St Louis was off last week, so we are spared another missive on how terrible they are. The good news is that their temporary absence sways our SPF teams well into the positive over all. The best of our teams are living by a simple rule - nothing comes easy in SPF read more...
The Sunday Slate (Week Five): Separation Sunday
This week doesn't have the same drama as a Cowboys/Redskins weekend, but SPF teams pushing towards the playoffs, a solid 8 of 15, can further prove their mettle this week by taking care of business. As Always, SPF teams in CAPS with (Week 4's
Pro Wrestling in the South Back in the Day
I was on the phone with a friend last week, just catching up on this and that, when my buddy posed a question. “Did you ever get into pro rasslin’?” Now, for the record, I spell it
Saturday's Slate: Picking Up The Pieces
Last week had USC losing on Thursday which appeared to set up big things for Georgia and Florida. Then, both stumbled last week, but both have a chance to redeem their season. This shapes up to be another great season filled with surprises as another team with destiny read more...
Tuesday Tastings (Week 4): Hail To the Redskins!
Since Miami and Indy had byes this past week, we're leaving them off our weekly Tastings dispatch. That still leaves us with 11 samplings of varied quality. Let's start off with the best of the bunch... FINGER LICKIN' read more...
The Sunday Slate (Week Four): Cowboys vs Indians, er Redskins
Week Four features the only classic pro football rivalry in the Footprint. That's reason enough to tune in. Two of our teams have byes (Indy and Miami) and several others have critical games. We will quickly break it down for you. As Always, SPF read more...
Special Edition of Magazine Features Great Southern Rock Articles
Heads up, Southern Rock fans. There’s a magazine out on the stands right now that you are going to want. It’s called Guitar Legends, and the issue is called “The Complete History
Tuesday Tastings (Week 3): We're Dolphin-safe now, but the Goat, er Ram, is Smoked
After getting a full-sized Sunday helping of SPF games, some things have improved while others took a turn for the worse. "Finger Lickin' Good" Yum, yum. These teams served it up on Sunday leaving their fans hungry read more...
The Sunday Slate (Week Three): The NFC South Goes North While the AFC South Faces Off
Week 3 doesn't feature as many interesting games as last week, but the AFC South faces off and the NFC South heads up north. As Always, SPF teams in CAPS with (Week 2's T.I. Poll Ranking) Here's a read more...
Our Week Two SPF Tastings: Give Us Some Panther, but Steer Clear of Ram and Bengal
After getting a full-sized Sunday helping of SPF games, not everything we sampled was up to par. Let's do a quick break down in hopes that maybe some of the team cooks can get their wares "Finger Lickin' Good" Although read more...
The SPF Week 2 Slate: Pretender/Contender Separation Begins
It's only Week 2, but many of today's games determine how seasons will unfold for our SPF teams. One game may mean nothing, but two games often represents a trend. Let's start with our inter-SPF matchups. SPF teams in CAPS with (
Gamecocks Destruction of Wolfpack Serves Notice to Clemson and the ACC
Last night was the glorious kick off to the 2008 college football season. Teams from almost every conference had games allowing us some very early previews of what might be coming in the weeks ahead. Everyone now knows about the
A Humorous Comparison of College Football Between the South and the North
As our beloved college football season nears, we at Tribal Fever thought everyone should read this comparison between college football in the South versus our Northern counterparts. (This has been making the rounds via email so many of you might have already seen it - read more...
Barbeque is Not a Verb: A Musical Tribute To Southern BBQ
There's nothing us Southerners like more than barbeque. Football comes close, as does Southern Rock, NASCAR, professional wrestling and cold beer, but when all is said and done, the pork will always rise to the top. Well, some guys from read more...
Ten More Defining Moments in Southern Rock History
Did any of you see Gregg Allman in the movie Rush? He played a drug dealing king pin, and a pretty spooky character. That movie disturbed me more that ten Stephen King flicks, because it was so real. That's why Gregg's role in the movie made our list of
Still More of The Defining Moments in Southern Rock History
Hi guys. My apologies for the two days of down time. We experienced a problem with our DSL internet service that virtually crippled the GRITZ offices for almost two days. We are happy to come back kicking with the
An Ongoing Journey To the Heart of Southern Culture
A Sunday Service On Southern Culture 7/20/08 “The artist penetrates the concrete world in order to find at read more...
Southern Rock's Most Defining Moments
You've all heard of "going the extra mile" for your art, right? Well, fellow babies, The Buffalo has been doing that for a few days now, assembling a list of The 100 Defining Moments in Southern read more...
GRITZ Radio Hour Premieres Online
Hey guys. As an experiment of sorts, we are presenting a pilot episode of The GRITZ Radio Hour, a two hour program of music hosted by yours truly, and airing over the Mighty Field of Vision internet radio station, now read more...
New Documentary Project Will Present the Definitive History of Country Music
I just got the word that Shout! Factory Records and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum are planning to produce a multi-part original series of specials on the history of country music for television and DVD. The partners will seek worldwide broadcast read more...
Chuck Berry & Sly Stone Headline Long Beach Blues Festival
Chuck Berry, Sly Stone, Booker T. Jones, Charlie Musselwhite and others Perform 29th Annual Long Beach Blues Festival 6/17/08 In Long read more...
Watch and Listen: Ten Great DVD's for Southern Rockers
Man oh man do I love movies. I guess movies are my second favorite entertainment besides music. Well, truth be told, books rank right up at the top of that list as well. But when you combine music and movies, look out, you have my attention. For my new list, I wanted to read more...
It's All About The Song: The Greatest Songwriters of The Southern Rock Era
I am probably going to get some other opinions on this one. We're happy to present our list of The Ten Best Songwriters of The Southern Rock Era. Check out the list and let us know what you read more...
With Leadership In Flux, the BCS Proves Its Worth to the Big East
Tribal Fever will never stop its defense of the greatest sport in our Footprint - college football. How a sport that has record ratings and revenue would ever be under scrutiny is beyond us, but we believe the heart of that line of criticism lies in its "limited" read more...
Wash Boards and Chicken Coups: The Ten Best Instrumentalists of Southern Rock
Let me begin by wishing everybody a GREAT weekend. Only one week until the big annual Winters Brothers Band Summer Jam. See you there! Our latest Top Ten list runs down the
A Trip to The Keys: Southern Rock's Greatest Keyboard Players
And the lists just keep on coming... This time we run down the Greatest Keyboard Players of the Southern Rock Era. They're all here, the Hammond B-3, the piano - from Chuck Leavell to Taz read more...
Four Strings and An Attitude: Southern Rock's Best Bass Players
How about another Southern Rock List? This time we run down the Ten Greatest Bass Guitar Players of The Southern Rock read more...
The Top 25 Songs of The Southern Rock Era
And the lists just keep on a comin.' Our latest addition to our Southern Rock Lists is our accounting of the 25 Greatest read more...
South Dominates College Baseball
by Patrick Snow There is one more week of college baseball before the conference tournaments, and the teams in our Swampland footprint are looking very strong. I had the pleasure this past weekend to attend a great 3-game series between Vanderbilt and Georgia. The Bulldogs read more...
New GRITZ List: Top Vocalists of the Southern Rock Era
"Way down in Alabama/Shoutin' Bamalama..." What a rocking song. What a great singer. I never get tired of listening to Jimmy Hall. Never. Which is why he landed in the top spot in our list of
New Features, Capricorn Records, Southern Rock Lists
We are happy to add a couple of new ongoing features here at GRITZ. The first is our Tribute to Capricorn Records Page, which features links to all of the articles and interviews related to the Southern read more...
Tom Waits Glitter And Doom Tour Dates (Mostly Southern)
Tom Waits Glitter And Doom Tour Dates Mostly Southern 5/6/08 “Well they call me William the pleaser/I sold opium read more...
The Legends of Southern Rock, a Guide
Greetings from Carolina. We are happy to present our new index page for our Legends of Southern Rock series. From here, you can always surf over to your favorite Southern Rock band's Swampland read more...
Why Swampland Sports Loves the BCS
Despite winning back to back national titles in football, the SEC susre seems to hate the BCS. Lately, this hatred has been reaching a new level. It all started when University of Georgia President Michael F. Adams announced a proposal for
Post - NFL Draft Newspaper Wrap Up
We found this article from a week or so back that is about NFL Network being the tail the wags the dog for that league. Swampland Sports has long written now about the ways read more...
SPF's NFL Draft First Round Log (Live All Day!!)
read more...
Outward Bound
“The eye and mind would be functioning as a camera. The writing would be selective and necessarily interpretive—but once the image was written the words would be final.” --Hunter read more...
Snowflakes: Big 12 Tourney as Expected, but Change on the Horizon
The least surprising of all conference tournaments this March has been the Big 12 Tourney in Kansas City. Both Texas and Kansas have been Top 10 teams for most of the season, and they have maneuvered their way to Sunday’s Championship game with a probable #1 seed on the line read more...
Snowflakes: Small Conference Hoops Does the Footprint Proud
It’s the most exciting time of the year for many of the smaller schools around our region. Their conferences tournaments have become an extension of the NCAA Tourney as winning the automatic bid fulfills their dream of having a shot at the big boys. Many pundits feel it would read more...
"Howard the Duck" Creator Steve Gerber Dies
St. Louis native Steve Gerber, creator of the "Howard the Duck" comic book series, died Feb. 11 in Las Vegas while awaiting a lung transplant. He was 60. The wise-quacking, cigar-smoking duck first appeared in a "Man-Thing" comic in 1973. Gerber read more...
Snowflakes: Smaller Conference Hoops
One mid-major club that higher seeded teams will not want to see in the Big Dance is Davidson from the Southern Conference. The Wildcats are perfect 13-0 in league play
Season Summary: St. Louis Rams
Quick Summary: This was the first year SPF covered the Rams, and it wasn't an auspicious beginning. It shouldn't have been so considering the Rams finished the previous season at 8-8 and signed their franchise QB Marc Bulger (a West Virginia alum) to a read more...
My Favorite Southern Rock Song?
I was talking to one of my pals down Florida way the other day when the conversation shifted to great Southern Rock songs.We started reliving the first time we heard this song or that song, and how much particular songs meant to us.
SPF T.I. Poll (Week 19, Part 4): Down By The River
12. Cincinnati Bengals and 13. St. Louis Rams - Our final Poll spots are held by two teams that have a connection via the river culture from which they arose. Like railroad tracks in towns across the south, rivers often appear to be a cultural divide, but they read more...
SPF T.I. Poll (Week 19, Part 3): Teams at the Crossroads (aka the NFC South)
We've now gone through the first 7 teams in the T.I. Poll. So far, the entire AFC South has been covered as well as the traditional big market teams in Dallas, DC, and Miami. This leaves us with a group that the NFL has neatly placed in a division they call the NFC read more...
SPF T.I. Poll (Week 19, Part 2): Teams "On the Verge"
This is SPF's group of teams that are "On The Verge" of reaching elite status. They all have challenges, but they are clearly heading in the right direction. 4. Washington Redskins - A lot can happen in a week. The Redskins' read more...
SPF's Divisional Playoffs Pre-Pregame Show (or T.I. Poll Week 19)
There are three SPF teams left in the Super Bowl hunt, but the news doesn't stop with them. Of the 4 current coaching vacancies, SPF has three of them (Miami, Atlanta, and Washington). Signs point to a year of great transition. The SPF footprint has some of the read more...
SPF T.I. Poll (Wild Card Weekend Edition)
We're mixing it up again going into the playoffs. In an up and down year, six of the 13 SPF teams made the playoffs. Two, Washington and Tennessee, made it in the final weekend. SPF is rooting for an all-Footprint Super Bowl, and this isn't out of the realm of read more...
SPF's Week Seventeen Pre-Pregame Show
Playoffs and draft slots. It's all on the line in a strange season-ending weekend in the Footprint. EARLY GAMES Jacksonville (11-4, 5-2 away) Houston (7-8, 5-2 home)
SPF T.I. Poll (Week Seventeen)
It's the last week of the NFL season. There isn't much left to be decided. Two SPF teams (Washington and Tennessee) can get in the postseason fun if they win. We expect them to do so if only because they are playing two other SPF teams (Dallas and Indy) who are read more...
GRITZ Best Albums of The Year
Lots of great music rocked my world in 2007. Here are my choices for the 15 best of the best. Feel free to log on and comment. Let me know if you agree or disagree. read more...
SPF's Week Sixteen Pre-Pregame Show
SATURDAY NIGHT Dallas (12-2, 6-0 away) Carolina (6-8, 2-5 home) NFL Films Video Preview This is a much better read more...
SPF T.I. Poll (Week Sixteen)
SPF laid down the gauntlet before last weekend's games. Many teams answered the bell. With two games left in the regular season, teams out of the playoff picture may have as much to play for as those that are in. Don't sleep SPF fans, there is still much to be read more...
SPF's Week Fifteen Pre-Pregame Show
It has been a largely disappointing season for SPF, but these final weeks can redeem or further decimate a team's momentum for 2008. There are three shoe-in playoff teams in the Footprint - Dallas, Indy, and Tampa. Two others (Jacksonville and Tennessee) have to keep read more...
SPF T.I. Poll (Week Fifteen)
SPF will say it - this has been a very tough year for pro football in the Swampland Footprint. Of our 13 teams, more than half of them have been in serious disarray. At best only 5 or 6 teams will have a clear direction heading into 2008. Most will be going back to read more...
SPF's Week Fourteen Pre-Pregame Show
SPF has been beating a few drums this year, but one is about letting players play. Coaches coach systems. GMs find players to fit into these systems (or in the case of special players, systems are designed for their talents). Except for read more...
SPF T.I. Poll (Week Fourteen)
SPF has looked at the coach/QB relationship. Now, it's time to look at the owner/coach relationship. When this relationship is good, everything clicks for the fans. The fans want to see the coach as an extension of the owner, an extension that helps build a bridge read more...
SPF's Week Thirteen Pre-Pregame Show
While Tribal Fever nation witnessed their conference championships this weekend, SPF has found a few of their own. There are four key head to head matchups in the SPF footprint this week - two of which will probably decide the winner of the AFC and NFC South. Our other read more...
TF Conference Championship Preview
Today is the day we find out whether it will be an all-Swampland matchup in the BCS Championship Game. If all goes according to plan it should be Missouri vs. West Virginia. Still, there are a few other game worth watching. It has been a great year for college read more...
SPF T.I. Poll (Week Thirteen)
Coaching changes. They happen every year even though it seems as though jobs are more than safe. Changes are usually made because the coach no longer has the confidence of the fans. Once that occurs, the owner is left with little choice. As long term, one read more...
SPF's Week Twelve Pre-Pregame Show
Leadership. Is it there? The leader(s) of each SPF team define that team to their fans. Already, Thanksgiving solidified a sense of leadership between coach and QB with both the Colts and their Manning/Dungy duo and the Cowboys with their Wade/Romo combination read more...
TF Rivalry Week Preview
Rivalry games define college football. More than bowl games or even conference championships, a win against your rival means bragging rights for a year. That is why this weekend's game can often be the hardest to call. A team with a losing record can suddenly make read more...
SPF T.I. Poll (Week Twelve)
SPF often talks a team's style when it comes to identity. Style, though, is kind of a catch all. Dig a little deeper and it comes down to coaching and, of course, a team's QB. This week seems like a good one to put the QB position under the read more...
SPF's Week Eleven Pre-Pregame Show
This week, more than any other this NFL season, the fan will find out who their teams are. Are teams going to the playoffs? Will they be Super Bowl contenders? Are they on the rise even if playoffs aren't likely? We shall see.
TF Saturday Preview: The Year of Transition Nears An End
The wild year continues. In many ways this was just a sign of the transition college football around the Footprint has experienced. In some ways, it shouldn't be as surprising as it has been. Nick Saban's arrival lit a fire under everyone. The ante was read more...
SPF T.I. Poll (Week Eleven)
Week Ten was a very weird football weekend. Many of the SPF teams lost games. Few had important wins. It just seems like this was a week to stumble. Desperation might be the biggest factor in any NFL game. The teams that are desperate have an edge read more...
SPF's Week Ten Pre-Pregame Show
SPF will stick by this point - no team set the NFL back more than the Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens. This "champion" brought the worst part of hip-hop's "thug" culture to NFL through the real life violence of Ray Lewis, whose murder acquittal and read more...
TF Saturday Preview: Everything's Still To Be Decided
Patrick Snow has it right. This year's season of college football has shown that it is one of the most compelling sports to follow as a fan, especially in the Footprint.
SPF T.I. Poll (Week Ten)
Everyone knows that football is the dominant sport in the Footprint, but it has always been college dominating the pro variety. The goal of SPF's "Team Identity Poll" is to gauge the connection of each team to their fans. This week, two different studies were read more...
SPF's Week Nine Pre-Pregame Show
It's it the "Clash of the Titans!" The Colts-Pats game deserves the hype that it is getting. Both teams have built long term consistently excellent football teams in the "salary cap era " - something that is supposedly impossible. This read more...
SPF T.I. Poll (Week Eight)
Things continue to settle out in the SPF Footprint. This week's big question is whether the South's best is the NFL's best. The Colts were just that last season, but their old New England nemesis seems to have stolen their thunder again. Here's last week's read more...
SPF's Week Eight Pre-Pregame Show
Much like yesterday's college slate, this week's SPF schedule features teams looking towards the season's end and where they want to be at that point. Teams know that the season is half over at this point and they need to be making their final pushes. The best teams read more...
TF Saturday Preview: Pole, er.. Bowl Position
If you aren't a Florida or Georgia fan, this weekend might be a good one to spend with the kids. This is a pretty thin weekend for good games in the Footprint. That's why Athlon's college football preview spends most of its time previewing games outside our read more...
SPF T.I. Poll (Week Seven)
SPF's season previews are looking pretty good so far. The teams we singled out like the Jags, the Texans, and the Dolphins have shown themselves to be in hot water with their fan base. The Jags and the Texans suffered "must win" losses that neither could read more...
SPF's Week Seven Pre-Pregame Show
Getting on the same page. Coaches and players that have the same sense of urgency signify teams that are winning. The NFL is a business, and like all business deals - interests must align. This is the reason that ownership, the front office, and the coaching read more...
TF's Saturday Preview: Act Like You've Been There Before!
It's the old saying when a player celebrates a little too much - act like you've been there before. This rules seems to also hold true to some of our Footprint's winning neophytes. When programs are new to winning, they don't know how to handle themselves. That's read more...
SPF T.I. Poll (Week Six)
Here we are again for SPF's weekly Team Identity Poll. Things have shaken up a bit. We are much closer to how we saw things at the beginning of the season. Let's start with a look at last week's Poll: 1. Dallas Cowboys 2. Indianapolis read more...
SPF's Week Six Pre-Pregame Show
It's week 6 for the SPF teams. Four teams are basically done, but the rest have critical games that will go a long way to determining how the rest of the season will play out for them. Here's this week's slate (video links courtesy of read more...
TF's Saturday Preview: The History Behind SEC Dominance
Tribal Fever would like to start this weekend's festivities by directing everyone to a fantastic series on ESPN.com about the SEC. Which leads us to this week's focus - the historical read more...
SPF T.I. Poll (Week Five)
The rich seem to be getting richer (and the poor, poorer) in the SPF Footprint. There is happiness at the top, confusion in the middle, and desperation at the bottom. Let's start with last week's T.I. Poll 1. Dallas Cowboys 2. Indianapolis read more...
SPF's Week Five Pre-Pregame Show
It's week five in the NFL season. Overall, the SPF Footprint is shaping up to be a year of the haves and have-nots. The Footprint contains two of the NFL's winless teams (Dolphins and Rams) and several other struggling squads. However, we also have two of the best read more...
Tribal Fever's Weekend Slate (10/6/2007)
Let's start with this week's College Football Preview from Athlon. Swampland's own Patrick Snow hosts each week. (Read Patrick's new column on the state of baseball in read more...
SPF T.I. Poll (Week Four)
Just like in the college ranks, it was a bit of a crazy week in the SPF Footprint. Right now, there are more bad teams than good, but the good teams are pretty darn good so we guess that evens things out a little. Here's last week's "Team Identity" read more...
Upset Saturday, or not?
Patrick Snow mentioned in his last column that he was looking ahead to next week's games. Based on yesterday's game result, so were too many top 25 teams in the Footprint. TF Upsets read more...
SPF's Week Four Pre-Pregame Show
Welcome SPF fans! Here's today's slate. (SPF teams in BOLD) Early Games Dolphins v. Raiders preview Rams @ read more...
People Take Warning! Murder Ballads & Disaster Songs 1913-1938
Tompkins Square Releases Murder Ballads & Disaster Songs This Week 9/29/07 This week Tompkins Square released this
Swampland welcomes Tribal Fever!
It was only a matter of time before Swampland Sports starting covering the colleges in earnest. Today marks the start of Tribal Fever, Swampland.com's dispatch dedicated to college sports in the South. We have new features up including Patrick Snow's latest read more...
SPF T. I. Poll (Week Three)
Back to our weekly gauge of how each SPF team is resonating with its fans. First, let's take a look back at last week's Team Identity Poll: 1. Dallas Cowboys 2. Washington Redskins 3. Indianapolis Colts 4. Tampa Bay Bucs
SPF 's Week Three Pre-Pregame Show
Here we are again. Let Week Three begin! SPF Teams in BOLD Early Games Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans (
SPF Friday Fishwrap-up: the Cowboy/Redskin paradigm
We've just posted a new analysis of the Wayne issue in Florida, Weaver in Jacksonville and Huizenga in Miami. Team Identity is our focus as always. That's why we start our Friday dispatch with read more...
The Shadow And the Truth
9/19/07 ...THE SHADOW AND THE TRUTH... It's important to realize how blurred the fine line between reality and illusion co-exist. At read more...
SPF T. I. Poll (Week Two)
Time for our Week Two "Team Identity" Poll. Things keep getting interesting, and that's how we like it. Let's start off with a recap of last week's T.I. Poll: 1. Dallas 2. Indianapolis (tie) 2. read more...
SPF's Week Two Monday: Playmakers making plays
THE "BEATING THE DEAD HORSE" THEME Our theme for this week is similar to last week's - the importance of playmakers. In the Footprint, we all love great coaches. We all love great schemes. However, it usually comes read more...
SPF 's Week Two Pre-Pregame Show
Each week, it will be SPF's pleasure to bring you the best pregame show on the Net. We provide our audience with clips from NFL.COM mixed in with our commentary and insight. Let's run down today's slate of games: Early games (SPF Teams in read more...
SPF Friday Fishwrap-up: LeBatard vs. Galloway
Another great southern tradition is writing. We have a whole section called Discourse that is dedicated to this pursuit. Newpapers (aka fishwraps) around the Footprint have great sportswriters that deserve to be read, and sometimes needled.
SPF's T. I. Poll (Week One)
Team Identity. This is our constant gauge for the success or failure of NFL teams in the South. College football reigns because people see themselves as part of the team. In the Swampland footprint, allegiances don't change at the college level. Coaches read more...
SPF Week One Game Log
Thursday's game didn't do nearly what yesterday's college slate did to pump us up here at SPF. Our own James Calemine is a little distraught about his Bulldogs going down to the dreaded read more...
Welcome Back!
Greetings to all you football fans around the Swampland footprint! Southern Pro Football is back to cover another NFL season. Patrick Snow and I will be making sure that SPF covers the NFL from a Southern perspective. For all of you that didn't tune into
Fire On The Mountain
6/25/07 read more...
Porter Wagoner Rocks Hollywood With Billy Bob, Marty and Dwight
HOLLYWOOD, Ca. - Porter Wagoner played in Los Angeles on Saturday, February 17 for the first time in over 40 years. Wagoner was celebrating his 50th anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry (coming this Friday, Feb. 23.)