RickSoundOff 60 - Sports Talk Television, Lake Charles, Louisiana

Saints Draft Night….The Stars Aligned

Stars align for Saints on draft night

BY RICK SARRO

My head was on a swivel during the first round of the last week’s NFL draft. I was in a popular sports bar located in the Warehouse district of New Orleans trying to keep track of both the early draft picks and the critical game six between the Hornets and the L.A. Lakers. Like all the locals we were keeping a keen eye on Kobe and C.P. 3 and whether the Bees could extend the playoff series to a full seven games. They could not as Los Angeles ended a spirited run by New Orleans.

With basketball as the backdrop the NFL Draft’s built in anticipation grew as the Saints 24^th selection in the first round neared.

I won a no brainer side bet assuring my soon to be payer that the Saints were going with California defensive end Cameron Jordan with their first pick because there greatest need was strengthening the defensive line and in particular the pass rush on the corners.

Thanks to Sean Payton and Mickey Loomis I pocketed an easy $5 bucks.

From around the 15^th selection on I noticed former Heisman Trophy winner and Alabama running back Mark Ingram was still sitting in the green room at Madison Square Garden. As each pick was announced Ingram remained seated and anxious. That’s when my mind started to spin wondering if Loomis, the talented Saints general manager, might be working a quick deal to trade up and get another pick in the first round.

It was crystal clear the Saints shopping list had linebacker next up but the draft’s best running back had yet to hug Commissioner Roger Goodell and was still available.

There were concerns and stories about Ingram’s knee injury last season and what effect it would have on his pro prospects. I ran a check list on a bar napkin of the number of running backs on the Saints roster right now. It’s a lot.

Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas, Chris Ivory, Julius Jones and Deshawn Wynn are five of eight listed. I love Thomas and Ivory. I still like Bush. Jones and Wynn are short timers. Even with those numbers and talent among the top three backs I still thought Payton and Loomis could not pass on the talented Ingram.

“With the 28^th pick of the first round the New England Patriots have traded this selection to the New Orleans Saints who have selected Alabama running back Mark Ingram….” as Goodell’s announcement was drowned out with cheers and screams from the standing room only bar. High fives ensued while Ingram broke down in tears on ESPN when read an email from his jailed father former New York Giants star receiver Mark Ingram Sr. congratulating Junior on the draft and accomplishing his dreams as a player and young man.

“I miss and love you dog”, Ingram told his Dad over national television and had me wishing I could still call my late father. Even diehard LSU fans had to soften their anti Saban, anti Bama stance after seeing Ingram holding up a black and gold jersey.

Tiger fans had seen enough of Ingram during his Heisman Trophy season in 2009 as he shattered Alabama school records with 1658 yards on 271 carries and 17 touchdowns leading the Crimson Tide to the BCS National Championship. A knee injury sidelined him for most of last season but when healthy there is no doubt Ingram’s power, elusiveness and deceptive Emmitt Smith like speed will transition well to the NFL.

The price tag for Ingram was within reason for his NFL potential. A second round pick and the Saints 2012 first round selection to the always stock piling Patriots. Loomis, a former NFL Executive of the Year, has displayed excellent instincts, his ability to stay on course and keen knack at deal making. “I don’t think we went in thinking we have to get a running back. That wasn’t a stated goal by any means. By the same token when you’re able to get what is the best running back in the draft, obviously you seize that opportunity and fit him in,” Loomis noted.

“Carp diem” or seize the day. Loomis must have the phrase on his business card.

I like the deal but it’s safe to say Reggie Bush is not thrilled. It didn’t take Bush long to get on twitter late during the draft’s first round with “It’s been fun New Orleans”. His comment left many to believe Bush is not long on the Saints roster and will probably be traded or released whenever the team can resume normal football business activities.

Both Payton and Loomis were quick to respond with politically correct statements to help soothe Bush’s concerns and at the same time protect the team’s investment and equity in Bush for any possible trade talks down the line.

“Like any player, each year in the league, there’s competition brought in,” Payton said. “ I think we’ve got a real clear vision for Reggie Bush and what we expect and how we want to utilize him and that’s not changed. So I’d be surprised if he wasn’t a Saint next year.”

“We look forward to having the versatility, certainly of a player like Reggie…..as you look at Reggie Bush, there’s more to that position than just playing running back behind the fullback,” added Payton.

But Bush has to be available to play and produce either at running back, in the slot as a receiver or on special teams. He has played in only 60 of 80 possible regular season games and missed eight games last year with a broken bone in his leg. In five seasons Bush has rushed 524 times for 2090 yards. That’s an average of 8.5 carries per game for 3.9 yards per rush. His receiving stats though down over the past four seasons due to injury are a bit better. Bush has averaged 5 receptions and around 7 yards per catch per game while scoring a total of 29 touchdowns.

2010 was one of his lowest production seasons due to the broken leg. Only 36 carries for a mere 150 yards coupled with 34 receptions covering 208 yards. Bush has not exceeded 1000 combined rushing and receiving yards since playing all 16 games as a rookie in 2006. Numbers he or his agents might not want to emphasize in any upcoming contract talks.

But the former Southern Cal star taken second overall in the 2006 draft, is top heavy with intangibles. He has proven to be a viable threat on punt returns and even thou he only touches the ball an average of 14 times a game he forces defenses to scheme against him freeing up areas of the field and angles for Payton to attack. There is value in that.

Which happens to be the priority question surrounding Bush. Value and how much money is he really worth entering his sixth season? The $11.8 million he is due to be paid this season far, far exceeds his production, intangibles, impact and fan appeal.

Bush has reportedly declined to take a pay cut when the Saints broached the issue prior to the NFL lockout. There are other reports saying Bush is well aware a contract renegotiation is his only real hope of staying with the Saints. Before or after the drafting of Ingram.

General Manager Mickey Loomis is on record about restructuring Bush’s contract. “I think we’ve clearly stated that we see Reggie in our plans and so I don’t know how to make that any clearer. Obviously there’s a contract issue that will have to be resolved at some point. We’re not able to do that right now and so when the time comes and we’re able to do it, we’ll try to get that resolved and if we can, great. Reggie won’t be gone because we don’t want him,” Loomis said.

If you compare the running styles and skill sets of the Saints running backs Ingram is more like Thomas, Ivory and Jones than a Reggie Bush. Does that mean Thomas and Ivory, both coming off injuries last season, are more at risk? Payton has proven he can take a rookie running back and insert him into his offense with productive results.

The trend and obvious need in the NFL is to have at least two capable running backs to pound on defenses. The Saints now have four and if a new contract can be worked out with Bush they may decide to start the season with all four. How many teams can say they have two former Heisman Trophy winners in the same backfield? (Bush is still a Heisman winner in my book despite being forced to relinquish the trophy after the NCAA investigation and sanctions against Southern Cal involving rules violations and Bush)

Ingram has been the lightning rod of the Saints six draft picks but the real solution to the most pressing need came in the form of defensive end Cameron Jordan. He was first team All PAC 10 last season and was the star on a defense led the conference and ranked 18^th nationally. Jordan has the bloodlines and DNA. His father , Steve Jordan, played 13 years at tight end for the Minnesota Vikings and was a six time Pro Bowler.

Jordan will be a capable book end to veteran defensive end Will Smith, who is still productive , but faces a lot of double teams on passing downs. Jordan’s presence should divert some of that protection attention away from Smith. The pre lockout free agent signing of defensive tackle Shaun Rogers along with the 7^th round selection of Pitt defensive end Greg Romeus will go a long way in the Saints primary goal of retooling the defensive front with an infusion of young talent and veteran depth.

Linebacker was the second greatest need going into this draft and the Saints picked a pair from Illinois. In the 3^rd round they chose Martez Wilson who earned first team All Big 10 Conference honors working at inside linebacker. With their draft pick in the 7^th round linebacker Nathan Bussey was added to the team. The Saints draft picks rounded out with Louisville cornerback Johnny Patrick who was another 3^rd round selection. Payton and defensive coordinator Greg Williams believes you can not have too many defensive backs in camp and I agree. Gather up 10 or 12 by training camp and let the competition reign.

I find it difficult to second guess the Payton-Loomis draft strategy based on their past success since 2006 (Payton’s first year as head coach). The proof is on the roster and on the field. Of the Saints top round draft picks over the past five years all but one are on the roster and have been contributors. That list includes Bush, Roman Harper, Robert Meachem, Usama Young, Sedrick Ellis, Tracy Porter, Malcolm Jenkins, Jimmy Graham, Charles Brown and Patrick Robinson.

Impressive to say the least. Factor in those Pro Bowl quality stars found in the Netherlands of the late rounds and you have a scouting department, coaching staff and front office high on football IQ and a keen eye for developing talent. Who else could have found the likes of Marques Colston (7^th round Hofstra) guard Jahri Evans from Bloomsburg , tackle Jermon Bushrod of Towson and receiver Lance Moore out of Toledo. Credit is due for the free agent discoveries of Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory.

That’s how Payton and Loomis built a Super Bowl Champion in 2009 and that’s what it will take to stay atop the NFC South, one of the NFL’s toughest divisions.

XXXXXX

Lone Star Legend

BY RICK SARRO

The football journey of Riley Dodge began as a grade schooler in dimly lit film rooms listening and soaking in the knowledge dispensed by his coaching father and assistants breaking down game tape. His legend grew at quarterback mecca Southlake Carroll High in Southlake, Texas as Riley and head coach/dad Todd Dodge won three Texas Class 5 A state championships.

The younger Dodge followed his father’s path and committed to the University of Texas midway through his junior year in high school. The elder Dodge was a record setting Longhorn quarterback in Austin in the early 1980’s after his stellar prep career in Port Arthur. Their stories were not completely identical as Riley was recruited to Texas not as a quarterback but as an athlete/receiver.

Once Todd won his 4^th state title at Southlake Carroll the call came from North Texas State University with a head coach’s offer in nearby Denton. Riley, as many devoted coach’s sons would do, changed his collegiate commitment to North Texas and followed his father. One of the state’s most acclaimed prep stars shunned mighty Texas and chose to stay close to home and close to Dad. Being a legacy Longhorn is one thing but a blood bond between father and son is undeniable.

It was a match made in bluebonnet heaven. The state’s hottest young high school coach and his Parade All America quarterback son would team up to turn around the fortunes of the often ignored football program at North Texas. But their stories and road to gridiron glory got complicated and messy.

Fast forward through a myriad of injuries and a position change for Riley along with mounting losses for Todd and it seemed the football gods were no longer smiling on them. North Texas fired Dodge midway through last season after a 1-6 start and a dismal 6-37 overall record. As if it couldn’t get any worst Riley suffered a compressed vertebrae neck injury in a season ending loss to Kansas State.

Their dream of recreating that Dodge magic together on the collegiate field was over.

When all this began four years ago the father probably never thought he wouldn’t be coaching football in Texas. The son probably never imagined he would be finishing his college career across the border in Louisiana at McNeese State.

“I wanted to be a part of something special with my Dad at North Texas but things happen for a reason,” said Dodge in a sit down interview last week.

Despite his father’s firing and nursing the neck injury Riley told the Dallas media he was planning to stay in Denton but there was “just something that was telling me that it was time to go.” He announced he would be transferring a short time later. The 22 year old Dodge wanted the freedom to use his final two years of eligibility so he began researching the top 10 F.C.S./ 1-AA programs around the country. He said he analyzed prospective teams’ past ten years to measure success, continuity and talent. He considered Villanova and Delaware but in the end Stephen F. Austin and McNeese rose to the top of his list.

As it happens so often in college football networking and who you know and what they know is how things get done. McNeese head coach Matt Viator explained that an old coaching friend named Conroy Hines, who happens to know Coach Dodge, called Viator to inquire about interest in Riley. That phone call opened up like an A gap on a perfect draw play as Viator got the recruiting ball rolling. He invited Riley and his parents down for a visit on January 5^th. It was a day and a half sales pitch that Viator was committed to closing.

“We recruited him as hard as we have recruited anybody. We gave our best in selling the program, this university, the new field house and Lake Charles. Being from an F.B.S. program he and his Dad know the process and know what questions to ask. They did their research and knew what the program is about down here. His Dad being from Port Arthur was very familiar with McNeese. They felt real comfortable with Riley here. It made sense for both parties,” Viator explained.

“Riley got along great with Coach Leger (quarterback coach Tim Leger) and we got along great as well. We are both coach’s kids. I get along with all coach’s kids. I really enjoyed the time they were here. Great people, tremendous family.”

The younger Dodge spent three hours alone with Leger talking football, playbook, schemes and reads. According to Viator at no time did Riley ask whether or not he would be the automatic starting quarterback. “We went through the depth chart and his comment was…’I look forward to competing’ and that’s what you want to hear as coach,” Viator said smiling.

Word of Dodge’s visit to McNeese sent a buzz through local circles followed by unconfirmed reports that Riley had indeed decided to transfer and that Viator got his man. The university could not make the official announcement until Dodge was enrolled and had attended his first class on campus which was January 18^th.

This is a major recruiting coup for McNeese and Viator. Pulling a former Texas high school star quarterback the caliber of Dodge out of the Lone Star state and away from Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston and nearly every Southland Conference team proves that McNeese is still top dog in the SLC. “I think you have to go get the best player you can get not just a specific kid to fit your style. They can do that in Baton Rouge at LSU. It’s hard here. You recruit the best player and you adapt things,” noted Viator.

For his part Dodge wanted to make his transfer decision quickly. He added that he really had no intention of following his dad again because they didn’t know where the elder Dodge would end up. (He has since accepted the quarterback coach’s position at Pitt)

“I made the decision quick because I wanted to be on campus in time for spring practice. I could have gone to some division one schools but I didn’t want to sit out. I just wanted to go where I could compete and play. It came down to McNeese with it’s great tradition. I need a fresh start and I wanted to go someplace where I know they’re going to win some games and I know I can come here to compete for a conference and a national championship.”

Viator was right when he said you can’t help but like the young man when you sit down and spend some time with him. Dodge looks like he stepped off the set of the television show “Friday Night Lights” about a football crazed town and school in west Texas. He is your prototypical star athlete and what many of us were not in high school or college. Big, strong, good looking, smart and well spoken with a lot respectful “yes sir and no sirs” mixed in. Plus the macho quarterback name just completes the package.

But Riley Dodge didn’t ride into the college game on a white horse and surely hasn’t had it easy. Far from it.

His prep resume is impressive. Three state championships in Texas’ highest classification along with two offensive player of the year awards. Dodge set school career passing and rushing records at Southlake Carroll High passing for 8642 yards, with 101 touchdowns along with a record 3062 rushing yards and 43 more touchdowns. He outshined two of the brightest star quarterbacks to ever come out of Texas and Southlake. Dodge was preceded by former Missouri quarterback, Heisman hopeful and now New Orleans Saints backup Chase Daniel along with former Alabama national championship winning quarterback Greg McElroy who never lost a single game while at Southlake Carroll.

For Dodge the yellow brick road took an unfortunate turn when he suffered a 3^rd degree separated shoulder on his throwing arm on the final play of his prep career. He completed the touchdown pass on the fateful play but it cost him. While a freshman at North Texas he suffered a season ending concussion that led to a medical redshirt. He returned as a redshirt freshman quarterback only to suffer another separated shoulder, severely sprained ankle and a broken arm.

His troubles continued in his sophomore year when his oft injured throwing shoulder did not rehab well forcing his dad to change his position to receiver. He was back at quarterback after three games when their two quarterbacks suffered season ending injuries themselves. While back as the starting quarterback Dodge suffered a broken wrist in a loss to U.L.-Lafayette.

He was a walking MASH unit for much of his stay at North Texas. The final blow was the neck injury suffered during his final game in Denton. As a precaution he was carted off the field and left the stadium in an ambulance.

When I sat down with Dodge the only visible sign of any lingering injury issues was tape around his wrist that he says he uses while weight training.

His football life has been a cautionary tale of good and bad. Riley experienced a near story book existence in high school filled with victories, championships and honors. His second chapter at North Texas brought mostly the heartache and challenges of injuries that kept him from realizing his full potential and more importantly his childhood dreams.

I would suspect that most players would have given up after the many times Dodge has been knocked down. But this is one tough Texan. You sense his steel resolve, determination, passion for the game and dare I say True Grit. “He’s a great leader,” marveled Viator. “He got the highest praise as person and teammate. Great in the locker room and great with the players. Positive attitude and anytime you can bring that in is good. He has a confidence about him but yet he’s very humble. I see him fitting in very well here.”

“Leadership comes naturally to me,” says Dodge. “I will be a little vocal but as the new guy I need to be natural and work hard. To be a quarterback you have to be vocal and a leader. If not you will lose the team’s confidence.”

Dodge says many things attracted him to McNeese including what he calls the “quiet confidence” of Viator and Leger. “They did not come off as …we’re great and cocky and all. They’ve got confidence in what they do but in a quiet way. “

The 6’0” 195 pound junior will bring measurable attributes and skills to the Cowboys offense. In his 17 starts as the Mean Green’s quarterback over the past two seasons Dodge completed 311 of 479 passes for a 64% completion percentage. He totaled 3187 yards with 20 touchdowns. Highlight tape from his limited play at North Texas and at Southlake shows a very accurate arm, adept at stepping up in the pocket, good lateral movement and mobility. He is a keen student of the game and it shows in his decision making and reads.

“I don’t have a rocket laser arm but I’m pretty smart. I will not be unprepared for a football game. Probably my biggest strength is my ability to move and run. I’m an accurate passer and I like to extend plays and be very creative.”

Viator loves the intangibles Dodge brings to the table. His heart, leadership and football IQ. “He’s very serious about football, serious about school, serious about everything. He is obviously talented and he’s a winner. Look what he’s done. I’m impressed with his football knowledge no doubt and he’s a good athlete. It’s hard to throw for over 8600 yards in high school and not throw from the pocket. He will bring the ability to do both…pass and run.”

This marks the second straight year that Viator has opened his program to a transfer quarterback. Last year faced with the graduation of four year starter Derrick Fourroux he signed Jacob Bower from Tulsa with only one year of eligibility. The Cowboys needed a stop gap measure at quarterback because of a huge void in experience.

With the emergence of redshirt freshman Cody Stroud last season (recall his stellar performance against LSU) the Cowboys were set to enter spring drill in much better shape. But that did not deter Viator from chasing Dodge and adding to his talent pool. “We were not seeking another quarterback at the time but it made sense for us. He (Riley) gives us a second guy that has played college ball with Cody coming back. It makes us a better football team. Riley has the experience and it’s always good to have two and if we can get Briscoe (Will) healthy we would have three. It was a way for us to have two quarterbacks right now and we took It”, Viator says.

Viator tip toed around the Will Briscoe situation. Signed last year out of Central High School in Baton Rouge, Briscoe’s rehab of an injured knee appears to be going slowly. “Unsure” is the word Viator used to describe the freshman’s status. He added that he had full disclosure of their recruitment and signing of Dodge with his returning quarterback. Viator said Stroud understood the situation and looks forward to the competition.

As is Dodge, who says “you have to be all in” in any quarterback race. Leaning forward in his chair as if he was ready to fire off the line of scrimmage Dodge said respectfully that he “came here to win the job” and that he is going to compete just like the other McNeese quarterbacks on the roster.

“I have bigger expectations for myself than most people. I didn’t leave North Texas and that comfort zone to come down here and hang out. I came down here to compete and win. I play with a chip on my shoulder,”

That chip probably feels more like a boulder after all he has been through. The pinnacle of state championships at the highest level of Texas prep football. The fanfare and adulation of being one of the best from a quarterback factory of a school. His dreams of sharing success with his head coach and dad at the next level never came close to reality. Maybe even some buried feelings of guilt over all the injuries and his inability to do more , to stay healthy, to win more games before his father was fired.

Even thou it didn’t come to pass at North Texas he still has a strong calling “ to be a part of something special”. Dodge says things happened in his life for a reason. Maybe that’s the reason he finds himself out of Texas for the first time in his life, in a new place, with a new team and a new beginning.

XXXX

McNeese Spring Q&A

BY RICK SARRO

Spring football is not so much about the starters but more about discovering new talent who can step up and contribute to the cause this fall. That’s according to McNeese head coach Matt Viator who already knows what a Des Lighten, Andre Anderson or a Malcolm Bronson can do on the football field.

Viator had questions about the youngsters who spent the majority of their time on the sidelines last season but will now be called upon as new starters or key backups. All successful programs don’t just rely on the first 22 on the depth chart. Not in today’s game where certain players are called on for specific situations. Then you have to factor in fresh legs, especially on the offensive and defensive lines, and of course there is always the big X factor…injuries.

The Cowboys saw first hand what an epidemic of injuries did to there once potent stable of running backs last year. Viator was literally down to one tailback (Andre Anderson) at one point in the season and was rubbing his lucky rabbit’s foot and keeping his fingers crossed that Anderson did not go down as well.

Tops on Viator’s spring agenda was finding the answers to questions regarding depth and the possibility of moving players into new positions. “I think we accomplished what I wanted and that was to evaluate a lot of players. Try to put guys in different situations a lot of times. Spring is not about the starters. It’s about bringing the other guys in and having enough depth for the whole year and I think we got that done.”

The recently completed spring practice put a number of things on display most notably the vast talent McNeese has coming back at running back. Junior tailback Champlain Babin is back healthy and ran well in spring. The aforementioned Anderson, who led the team in rushing last year as a first year transfer, is back strong for his senior season. Primary starter Marcus Wiltz was held out of spring work due to injury as they expect him to return at full speed in August.

Tailback/kick returner Javaris Murray doesn’t have fond memories of spring. You may recall Murray, coming off a breakout freshman season, tore his A.C.L. this time last year and missed the entire season rehabbing his knee. With his knee braced up Murray went out this spring and erased many if not all of those dark thoughts. The sophomore from Kingston, Louisiana reestablished himself as a threat both as a running back and on special teams.

“I’m excited to see Javaris back. He should be without the knee brace this fall which should make him more mobile. I forgot how good he is on special teams,” Viator commented after the spring game. “He was one of our best cover guys and return men. He can also catch it well out of the backfield.”

Murray will get his snaps but will find it hard to crack the starting lineup with Wiltz, Babin and last year’s team MVP in Anderson all vying for carries. “Babin had a good spring coming back from all his injuries and Andre is just Andre. He makes all the plays and he’s tough. We have some good guys and again we get Wiltz back we’ll be pretty talented back there,” says Viator

In the first two intra squad scrimmages of spring the defenses were torched for a ton of touchdowns but they were shuttling guys in and out of the defensive lineup and putting players in new positions in hopes of answering some nagging questions at defensive end, tackle and linebacker.

The biggest move on the defense is the most obvious. Two time all Southland Conference star Des Lighten was shifted from defensive tackle to end. Viator says Lighten has “always really be a natural defensive end but had to play tackle”. He moved out wide and made some impressive plays at defensive end this spring. At 6 foot 250 lbs Lighten was an undersized beast at tackle. Look for another all conference year at his new position.

The defensive line is jumble of position changes, new personnel and high hopes for the young talent on the inside. Viator says “everything is predicated” on the inexperienced tackles and whether they come through with quick development and maturity.

Two of the Cowboys best and expected starters at linebacker were held out of spring practice to nurse injuries. Junior Joe Narcisse and sophomore Hayden Dobbs will be counted on this fall if fully recovered. Viator says he was pleased with the play of freshman linebackers Deonte Thompson and Correy Middleton and also like the transition of sophomore Eric Papion (Barbe High) from safety to linebacker this spring. “If we get Dobbs and Narcisse back we will be in pretty good shape. Those other kids got a lot of plays this spring,” Viator noted.

Junior Kendrick Cormier stashed his National Guard Army fatigues for the blue and gold again this season. Cormier is coming off another turn of active duty in Afganiskstan and has also looked strong in his move from defensive end to linebacker.

There are not many unanswered questions in McNeese’s defensive secondary. Experienced starters are back in Seth Thomas, Bronson, Chris Raggett, Ford Smesny and Brandon Robinson. A few fresh faces made impressions in the spring including sophomore safety Kyle Peterson, who had a safety in the spring game and Brian Okoye. Senior cornerbacks London Durham and Jarron Jackson skipped spring with injuries but are expected back this fall.

Many of these defensive backs are back from last year’s lineup who will need to make major improvements. Not enough turnovers were put in the books and they gave up too many big plays of 20 yards or longer. Defensive coach Mike Collins will need to ride herd on this group who put up shining stats both positive and negative.

There weren’t many lingering questions about the offensive line other than the annual search for quality depth. The O-Line lost only one full time starter in center Mase Duge. A bit of a scare in the spring game as right tackle Alec Savoie left the game with a left leg injury. The extent of the injury is not known.

The receiving corp got a huge boost in talent with transfers Ernest Celestie, a former Barbe High star who spent two injury filled years at Texas Tech and tight end Josh Jordan out of East Carolina by way of St. Amant, Louisiana. Celestie gained 87 receiving yards in one scrimmage and displayed his running skills in the spring game with a nifty 15 yards end around. Jordan, at 6’4, 220 is a big enough target with good hands. He will figure in Viator’s passing schemes this fall.

Consistency will be the question surrounding the wide outs this season. Juniors Damion Dixon and DeVionte Edmonson have the skill set but can they put it to work on every passing down?

Diontae Spencer will be in the mix and the go to possession receiver is once again young Wes Briscoe. As a true freshman last season Briscoe burst on the scene and just made the tough catches in traffic and for key first downs. He has a knack for finding the open spot and doesn’t drop many catchable balls.

If there was one critical question on the top Viator’s chalk board or power point it had to be the quarterback position.

Round one of the QB race is in the books and it’s too close to call right now.

Cody Stroud looked like a starting quarterback in spring practice coming off two starts and a 1-1 record last season. Newcomer and transfer Riley Dodge also looks like a starting quarterback because he was one at North Texas State.

I went to the man in charge for a quarterback answer and which one might be a nose ahead. “I don’t know,” answered Viator. “It’s kind of a day to day thing. It will be a great competition and a heck of a race.”

It was fun to watch this spring as Stroud and Dodge showed two divergent quarterbacking styles that make both of them interesting choices to lead this offense in 2011.

Stroud at 6’3” 190 pounds is a pure drop back pocket passer while the 6 foot 195 pound Dodge is shotgun quarterback prone to rollout or run. Both have pretty live arms and are accurate in their rights. Stroud is more knowledgeable in the offense due to his time served already while Dodge is a quick study and even quicker on his feet making nifty cut backs. Viator likes what he sees in both men.

“Cody really makde some good strides to be more consistent. Dodge did what I thought he could do. He’s athletic, can move around and do somethings. Although they are two different quarterbacks. Right now they are doing everything….running and throwing. I will narrow it down in the fall. Get in those things that Riley and Cody do better and go from there.”

A lot was made of Stroud’s performance under extreme pressure as he was called on as the starter against LSU in Baton Rouge last year due to a concussion suffered by Jacob Bower. I was one of the ring leaders touting Stroud’s cool head and efficient play against the ranked Tigers in a very loud and raucous Death Valley. Stroud, from little Montgomery, Louisiana, always dreamed of playing in Tiger Stadium and those dreams became reality and have since been helped him grow as a confident quarterback.

“I think it has. I have more confidence from being in the game situations and being in there against LSU and them throwing everything they had at me. The speed and ability… I’ve seen it before,” says Stroud.

“I’m getting more comfortable with the people around me and the offense. Things will flow better as I get more comfortable. It all starts with me.”

Not reading too much into it but Stroud does sound like a quarterback confident in his skills and ability to lead this offense.

Dodge is equally confident in his ability and walked away from spring practice and his first days as a Cowboy feeling pretty good. “ I thought I had a accurate spring throwing the ball. I had a good spring but as quarterback you can always get better. I’m really excited that I haven’t yet reached my potential.”

Stroud did not blink an eye when news broke that Dodge decided to transfer to McNeese after a few up and down injury plagued years at North Texas State. Stroud walked the line and soldiered up saying things like he welcomed the competition and it would only make each of them better quarterbacks.

He’s right. Both will benefit as will the Cowboys who will have two very good and different options at quarterback.

“I think we have different talents,” admits Stroud. He is a lot better runner than I am. I think I’m more of a pocket passer. But it’s good to have both. He’s obviously more agile than I am. If we can both get in the game it would be a great asset to our offense.”

I’m not sure if Viator is comtemplating a two quarterback system. Early in his career at McNeese Viator opted for backup and drop back quarterback Mark Fontenot for a few series spelling starter Derrick Fourroux but it wasn’t a true tandem quarterback game plan.

Dodge, a Texas prep legend with state championships and offensive player of the year awards on his resume, sounds like a man on a mission to win the job and finish what he started at North Texas. “He (Stroud) has three years in this offense. I have three weeks. He understands the offense very well but I’m a coach’s kid and have been around the game a long time. I’m grasping it so far. I think the competition make you better for both of us. So who ever get the job we’ll be a good player for this football team.”

“Obviously I want to be the starting quarterback here and he wants to be the starter here. We are going to push each other and get after it.”

Stroud or Dodge. We’ll have to wait till the last week of August to find the answer to that question.

XXXXX

Winning in February

BY RICK SARRO

Spring will soon be in the air and so will baseballs, softballs, tennis balls, soccer balls, golf balls along with a javelin and a discus or two. It will be busy out at the once quiet McNeese athletic fields and tracks scattered across campus as spring teams spring into action.

These artic temperatures compliments of Canada of late will give way to 80 degree afternoons perfect for the return of Cowboys baseball and Cowgirls softball. But down here we are never too far away from football 365 and 24/7 in some circles.

I have explained there are actually four football seasons and they all generate sports page headlines and dominate sports talk on TV, radio and around the office cooler. This is not a test but you can take notes if you like.

There is the pre season which is in August, then the actual season from September to December (fans hope for football past Thanksgiving), followed by the recruiting season which is year round but culminates in early February with national signing day and finally there are spring drills in March and April.

May, June and July is when we all rehash the four seasons and formulate our bold predictions as we anxiously await August. Don’t get me wrong there is a huge dose of March madness and basketball along with baseball mixed in to keep the balance of life in some order. Football though is ever present.

College football brainieacts know you not only win games in the September but it’s what you do in February that helps achieve victories in October and beyond. If this February is any indication the McNeese Cowboys most assuredly aided their cause for the win column in the future.

This could very well be the best and most star studded recruiting class of head coach Matt Viator’s five year tenure.

McNeese signed 25 players to national letters and among an impressive list of high school players were three transfers from division 1-A/ F.B.S. programs. Veteran Cowboys assistant head coach Mike Collins, filling in for Viator for this writing, couldn’t stop smiling about this recruiting class. “It’s a really good recruiting year no questions. And now the work begins. They have to do what we expect them to do. We targeted these guys and went out and got them.”

The big catch among this group was former Texas state class 5-A offensive player of the year and three time state champion quarterback Riley Dodge out of Southlake Carroll High School and most recently North Texas State. I profiled the former Parade All American and his decision to transfer to McNeese a few weeks ago in Lagniappe.

Collins realizes transfers like Dodge along with former Barbe High School star receiver and Texas Tech transfer Ernest Celestie and former East Carolina tight end/receiver Josh Jordan, will have shorter careers at McNeese but their impact will quick and notable.

“If we have a specific need at quarterback, tailback, tight end or receiver then transfers are considered. We had a tremendous need at receiver and couldn’t pass on Ernest. Same at tight end with Josh. We had a need at quarterback too and you don’t always have a four year guy like we did with Derrick (Fourroux). Dodge is a junior, Cody (Stroud) is a sophomore, Will Briscoe is a redshirt freshman and we signed a true freshman (Tyler Bolfing-Montgomery, Texas). They are stacked up there like Matt likes them,” explained Collins.

Collins, who will oversee the entire defense this season, will see first hand just how good Dodge is and will experience a more mature and confident Stroud when spring drills begin March 15^th. “It will make us better defensively playing against Riley and Cody and we (defense) intend on making those quarterbacks better too.”

The Cowboys signed seven defensive backs, five defensive linemen, three tailback/running backs, three offensive linemen and two receivers. McNeese added a couple of local stars to the ranks in St. Louis High running back Dillion Berlin, a 6 foot 200 pound bruising and durable straight ahead runner. LaGange’s Aaron Sam is a multi talented player who is slotted at cornerback.

Of all the incoming talent the defensive tackles and more specifically their pedigree and size may be what separates this recruiting class from recent groups.

Nick Gorman from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma turned away from Louisiana Tech and sided with McNeese. At 6’4” 280 pounds has the frame to add even more weight. He is the son of former McNeese assistant coach, LaGrange head coach and one time Tulane tight end Chuck Gorman.

Joining Gorman on the defensive line is Quentin Marsh of Dickinson, Texas. At 6’2” 282 pounds Marsh is another one of those growing boys who will take up some space at defensive tackle. “We did a better job of ID’ing the defensive tackles we like to have,” Collins said. “We were fortunate to land some nice sized defensive linemen. They are always hard to find no matter what level you are on. Everybody is looking for them.”

Collins, a veteran recruiter who has logged more highway miles he cares to remember, says the national champion Auburn Tigers along with every other title contender on every level of college football needs big, athletic defensive tackles on the line. “ We are all fighting for them. Some programs may take a D-Tackle they would not normally take say in the Big 12 or S.E.C. because of the shortage and the pool has narrowed.”

The fact that Auburn’s Nick Fairley is projected to be the NFL’s top pick in the April draft should prove the point of how valuable and impactful defensive tackles are in today’s football. “If you get a good one on any level of play he can make or break you on defense. The disruption he causes in the running game and the way they have to block and protect against his pass rush changes the game,” gushed Collins.

I don’t think it was a coincidence that the Cowboys ‘ last march to the 1-AA national championship game was in 2002 when the defense was anchored by arguably McNeese’s best ever D-Tackle tandem in B.J. McNutt and John Paul Jones. They were both first team All Southland Conference selections that season when the Cowboys won the SLC title, finished the year at 13-2 and was the last time McNeese advanced past the first round in the playoffs.

Collins believes there is a direct link between the success of 2002 and the play of the defensive line. It’s no secret that since 2002 the Cowboys defensive front has struggled against the bigger, meatier lines from Montana, Eastern Washington and Northern Arizona. “There is no question we are trying to get bigger. When you get in the playoffs the guys are bigger and you have to match them. We think we didn’t give up speed with our recruits and got bigger too.”

Another glaring trend and characteristic in this group of recruits is the size of the safeties and cornerbacks. It’s like going from the Smurfs to Big Bird.

Case in point is 6’3” 190 pound Weston Card of Cypress Woods in Houston. Then there is Ellis Carey a safety out of New Orleans at 6 foot 183 pounds. Wallace Scott from West Feliciana High is another safety listed at 6’1” 190 pounds. Add in Gabe Hamner of Sealy, Texas and Ernest Williams of Orange, Texas. Two cornerbacks six foot and above.

“We tried to identify safeties and defensive backs with good height because of the size and height of the receivers nowadays. Can we live with 5’7” or 5”8”ish cornerbacks any more? Unless they are very special,” noted Collins.

Once again McNeese recruited along athletic blood lines. Through the years the Cowboys have had a number of talented brother tandems, cousins, nephews and sons. Recognizable names like Jordan, Brown, Bronson, Prince and Thomas. This year safety Nick Shepard of Houston shares that football DNA with older brother Russell Shepard, a star receiver for LSU.

The younger Shepard had F.B.S. options including Texas Tech but Collins says that Shepard’s dad put it best saying he only has to go in one direction down I-10 east. Referring to watching Nick at McNeese and then Russell two hours down the road at LSU.

Every recruiting class is rated by the number of blue chip stars or state MVP players you sign. Collins is quick to point out that not all blue chippers pan out and sometimes it’s the no chip player who ends up being the best signee and making the biggest impact. It’s not an exact science and you never really know who will have break out careers until they hit the field a few years down the line.

That unique “it” factor in players is hard to find sometimes and even harder to see until they are under the lights wearing your team’s colors at the next level.

That being said I think it’s still a major recruiting coup to lure the likes of Riley Dodge and Ernest Celestie to McNeese. The Cowboys get a gold star anytime they can sign players away from Texas Tech, Air Force, Louisiana Tech or even U.L. Lafayette as was the case this year. It’s a battle out there on the back roads of East Texas and South Louisiana to sell yourself , sell your program and to convince a fickle 18 year old where to spend the next four to five years of his life. Collins knows it all too well.

“In Louisiana you have one school (LSU) who gets whoever they want. And then you have 11 other schools fighting like cats and dogs to get the rest and that’s not counting the other schools coming into the state to recruit.”

The foundation and life blood of any successful college program is recruiting. Coaches like Saban, Paterno, Miles, Spurrier and Viator will hold court on that issue any day. ESPN and the multitude of websites and scouting services offer in depth analysis of players on watch lists as young as 13 to 14 years old.

Football teams have to win in February before they hoist any trophies in January.

Swan Song for Saints

BY RICK SARRO

When the New Orleans Saints won Super Bowl 44 last February it overcame 43 years of losing, frustration, long stretches of incompetence, many jokes and of course the indignation of being referred to as the “Aints”. Believe me it was a long, hard road. That’s why the glorious victory outside of Miami was just so damn sweet and cathartic.

They’re still making commercials about it.

Those will soon be replaced with ones involving this season’s Super Bowl champions and unfortunately it won’t be the Saints.

If you research the history of the franchise from its beginnings in 1967 to the Super Bowl championship there are more than a few embarrassing records, mind boggling decisions and less than flattering distinctions. I was hoping the Sean Payton-Drew Brees era and that Lombardi Trophy would be the end of any further low brow punch lines but I was wrong.

The Saints will have to deal with being the first team in NFL history to lose to the first team to qualify for the playoffs with a losing record. Pile on the fact that the Saints lost to the biggest underdog home team ever in the NFL post season. All that from the 41-36 defeat in the Wildcard round of the playoffs to the Seattle Seahawks a few Saturday’s ago.

Seattle entered the opening round matchup as a 10 ½ point underdog despite playing at Q-West Field, considered the loudest stadium in the league. The Seahawks are led by first year head coach Pete Carroll, formerly of the U.S.C. fame, who got them into the playoffs with a 7-9 record. First time ever that a sub .500 team won a divisional title and a playoff berth.

The national media has portrayed the Saints loss as the biggest playoff upset in NFL history. A team with a losing record and a 10 point dog beating the defending Super Bowl champs…..sure I’ll buy into that. But this is not the NFL of the 1980’s. Those labels and tags don’t stick very long anymore and surely won’t dog the Saints much pass these playoffs.

Bill Bilichick and the New England Patriots did not lose any luster or respect after going 18-0 and losing to the wildcard New York Giants in the ball stuck to the helmet- Super Bowl. Those same Patriots were bumped from the tournament this week losing to the New York Jets, a team they had just destroyed 45-3 a few weeks ago. The NFC’s top seeded Atlanta Falcons were equally dismantled by the 6^th seeded Green Bay Packers on a dome home field the Falcons rarely lose on.

Strange and unpredictable things happen in the NFL of the 21^st century.

Predictable though the underdog Seahawks did lose in the second round on the road at Chicago. The neon green mojo was good for one week.

So the national sporting press had a few chuckles and head scratching sessions with the Saints post season flop and deservingly so. Look Payton and his staff did not have the Saints fully prepared to play on a short week with a short handed roster. The defensive secondary, specifically safeties Roman Harper and Darren Sharper may have turned in the worst performance of their careers. It may have been the playoffs worst display of defense ever considering the depth of talent or lack thereof on Seattle’s roster.

New Orleans’ defensive ineptitude came full circle on Marshown Lynch’s 67 touchdown run in which he sliced through the Saints defenders as if they were invisible. NFL Films will have a dramatic description of Lynch breaking 8 tackles en route to one of the most memorable runs in playoff history. The problem with that is the Saints defense did not actually attempt a full fledge NFL tackle. There were eight sightings of whiffs and arm swings but none could be thought of as a tackle.

Two days after reviewing the game tape Payton said it was a “real good player on a real good run with tackles we would have hope to have made but there were so many other plays that had more impact on the game.” I agree with the latter half of his assessment.

If you are still struggling for reasons of how and why, still sleepless after Seattle and seeking closure Payton summed it up in a neat little three prong power point.

1. Missed offensive opportunities in the red zone i.e. two field goals instead of touchdowns.

(My take- Reggie Bush dropped a sure TD pass)

2. No field position from punt or kickoff returns.

(My take- really missed Courtney Roby because Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem were tippy toeing with tentative returns)

3. The defense gave up too many big plays

(My take- really missed the injured Malcolm Jenkins and Harper and Sharper were awful)

As the divisional playoffs wrapped up last week Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis began their work toward the off season. An off season that will be unlike any in years past due to the uncertainty of the expiring collective bargaining agreement between the players and owners. In essence it is a contractual pact that controls the fabric of the NFL. It expires in March and the two sides are far apart on many issues and there is serious talk of an owner’s lock out and a 2011 season at stake.

In the meantime Payton says he will continue to follow his “protocol” and control what he can control. They will analyze the current team, scout the Senior Bowl, review the free agency market, and move on to preparations for the April college draft. The Saints head coach was adamant that he will not discuss or answer questions about his free agent players or any possible roster moves. Payton says you will know about them after deals are completed.

“We won’t have any comment on anything regarding our players and free agents going forward. I have told the players don’t believe what you read or hear. Come see me or Mickey (Loomis) and we will tell you what’s going on. Believe me those kind of things (free agency rumors) can tear at the fabric and the foundation of what you are trying to build.”

“The continunity we have and we will continue to have will help us in the case of any possible lockout,” Payton noted.

I believe Payton and Loomis have built a program that can and will win consistently. Playoff quality teams…yes. Super Bowl contenders….probably not every year depending on injuries. In hindsight I think the Saints lost the Seattle game the week before against Tampa Bay with injuries suffered to Jenkins, running backs Chris Ivory and Pierre Thomas and tight end Jimmy Graham.

The year end stats are down some vs. the Super Bowl season but not significantly.

Payton’s offense produced 5960 yards with heavy weight from the passing game at 4436 yards and 1519 from the running game. They scored 44 touchdowns, 12 more than the opposition. Time of possession favored the Saints by over 3 minutes a game. The offense was near the top in critical 3^rd down conversions at nearly 50%.

Brees had 33 touchdown passes but fired off too many interceptions with 22 on the season. His completion percentage was still a very high 68% with a quarterback rating of nearly 91%.

Despite the Seattle debacle the defense was stout overall. They allowed 105 yards rushing per game and 194 yards through the air. The Saints allowed around 19 points a game but were minus six in the turnover ratio. In 2009 the defense scored 9 touchdowns off picks and fumbles. In 2010 that number dropped to only two.

When Payton says there is a lot of work ahead in the off season he must be thinking of the running game, defensive breakdowns on plays of over 20 yards, turn overs , kickoff and punt coverage and the return game.

“We are proud that we won 11 games despite adversity,” says Payton. “We played real good football just not in the post season. The success of last season (2009) brought very high expectations. When you finish with a tough loss like that one you have to step back, take some time and realize it’s just one game…yes a big playoff game. But one game. We like this locker room a lot. They are both physical and mentally tough guys in there and they know how to win. We set a high bar and have high standards.”

I am trying not to let the failures in Seattle taint my opinions of the roster but some changes are needed as Payton alluded to as well saying “every year there will be change.”

The Saints must address the backfield and the divergent contract situations of Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas. Bush is set to make $11.8 million in the final year of his six year contract. Bush has said he doubts the Saints will bring him back with that price tag. Thomas reluctantly signed a $1.7 million dollar deal this past season and due to the status of the bargaining agreement his status as a free agent or unrestricted free agent is up in the air.

If they can renegotiate Bush’s deal down to say $2 million with added years then OK. If not it’s time to work a trade for the oft injured Bush. Too many missed games and far too little production.

Depending on the seriousness of Thomas’ ankle injury I think the Saints should reinvest a few more years.

Rookie Chris Ivory led the team in rushing with 716 yards and a return next season should produce even better numbers. The draft can add on another quality young running back to fill the roster.

Once again the defensive secondary needs depth. The Saints held on the 15 year veteran safety Darren Sharper who was unable to play until the sixth game due to a knee injury. He looked three steps slow against Seattle and missed far too many tackles. At 36 Sharper may call it quits on his own. The defense still needs depth to back up Jenkins and Harper. (I am not ready to bale on Harper just yet despite him giving up two touchdowns in the playoff loss). Back up safeties Usama Young and Pierson Prioleau may be on the bubble.

Payton will be looking again for talent at linebacker but remember they will get the promising Jonathan Casillas off injury reserve next season. I am not sure if they got enough production out of newly acquired defensive ends Jimmy Wilkerson and Alex Brown. The draft and free agency will help there as well. The tight end position is solid with the emergence of Graham. I say you hold on to 10 year veteran Jeremy Shockey for his experience and locker room presence.

`The offensive line is still one of the best in the league and has been really lucky the past two seasons with minimal injuries. The receivers crop is deep and talented with the probably addition of Adrian Arrington to the full time roster.

Loomis has resigned quarterback Sean Canfield from the practice squad so they want another year to look at the second year passer from Oregon State. I would not mind seeing them add a young collegiate star to the mix.

I would describe these possible maneuvers as roster tweaks not an overhaul by any means. Payton likes his “foundation and locker room” so who am I to argue against that. He may not be defending it any longer but he’s still a Super Bowl champion.

A pretty good label despite being side swiped in Seattle.

It doesn’t take an AppleMicrosoftBlackberryFaceBook high tech CEO genius to figure out what the McNeese Cowboys, LSU Tigers and New Orleans Saints have in common of late. It isn’t SportsCenter/Sports Illustrated/College Game Day worthy style points if you’re wondering.

When those three teams do win it’s like enduring a three hour root canal while being forced to watch American Idol rejects being judged by Donald Trump.

Mark my words all three head coaches from Matt Viator, to Les Miles to Sean Payton would all agree the business of winning football games is painfully hard, fraught with emotion and of late can put you in the hospital if you are not careful.

Not since Viator’s 2006 rookie season as head coach has McNeese stared down back to back must win games this early in the season. The Cowboys failed to bounce back from that 50-6 blowout at Missouri and didn’t come close to breaking the Mustangs of Cal Poly losing 40-14. Faced with the prospects of a possible 1-3 start and losing their Southland Conference opener the Cowboys discovered there heretofore missing defense in time to subdue Northwestern State 24-7.

The victory put McNeese at an even 2-2 but rescued them from the cliff’s edge as they prepare to run a two week gauntlet of SLC favorite Stephen F. Austin and the LSU Tigers. Following the consecutive losses to Missouri and Cal Poly the Cowboys were so void of confidence and momentum that the slightest of Gulf breezes would have sent them over that precarious drop and into a sort of football purgatory for the rest of the season.

For all you fair weather fans and Monday morning quarterbacks one win, even over the lowly Demons who are 1-14 dating back to last season, can be the catalyst McNeese was searching for. Back in 2006 the Cowboys were 2-4 before they ran the SLC table en route to Viator’s first of three conference championships.

That was then and this is now. The players and their personalities, leadership skills and depth of talent are all different. Viator has said he has not harkened back to that 2-4 start and has not used it in any motivating pep talks to this team. Maybe he should because this team is still mighty shakey. They will need constant oversight and some heavy duty coaching up if they intend to match the Lumberjacks blow for blow.

McNeese didn’t display any new found confidence or improved technique on the game’s very first offensive play as Northwestern reserve quarterback Tyler Wolfe burned the Cowboys’ secondary for a 60 yard bomb to T.C. Henry. Two plays later a touchdown pass put the Demons up 7-0. It was as if the Cal Poly game had not ended but just moved a few hours north to Natchitoches.

The Cowboys offense appeared equally inept with little or no yardage and no signs of spark resulting in four consecutive punts. But then there was a flicker of hope. A play that tilted the pendulum toward McNeese. Reserve linebacker Kentrell Butler got a gift from Wolfe in the form of a pass thrown at his chest. The interception keyed a 12 play 64 yard drive ending in a Jacob Bower quarterback sneak for a touchdown and a 7- All tie in the 2^nd quarter.

The Demons, who were winless last season under first year head coach Bradley Dale Peveto, used up there 15 minutes of camera time in the first quarter. McNeese’s defense finally found a pass rush, forced some turnovers, decided to tackle someone and held Northwestern scoreless over three quarters and only 40 yards of offense in the second half.

Bower, the senior transfer quarterback, found some rhythm and consistency going 19 of 25 for 233 yards and two touchdowns. Critical was his new found love of the football. Bower had no picks after throwing five interceptions against two touchdowns in the first three games. He managed the offense and once in the lead took what the defense allowed and did not try to force his will or his passes. Bower was near perfect in the second half completing 13 of 16 passes.

Back up Cody Stroud has been solid in limited snaps but make no doubt about it Bower is still the best arm to help dig McNeese out of this hole of mediocrity. The offensive line has been better on pass protection vs. run blocking. Over three times the rushing yards against Northwestern compared to the Cal Poly game during which McNeese totaled only 52 yards on the ground. Keep in mind that falling behind by 21 points means less handoffs and more drop backs.

Redshirt freshman tailback Marcus Wiltz leads all rushers with three touchdowns. He is also near the top in lost fumbles which will remind running backs coach Carlos McGee there are still more drill work needed. The turnovers improved some last week with only two fumbles that did not lead to any points. McNeese is still lagging in the turnover ratio with a minus 6 through four games.

McGee won’t be the only McNeese coach putting in extra hours preparing for 7^th ranked Stephen F. Austin and LSU the next two weeks. Defensive coordinator Lark Hebert and secondary coach Mike Collins must get the cornerbacks and safeties to play with more speed and awareness. They are giving up far too many big plays and huge chunks of yardage through the air. The only real pressure on the opposing quarterbacks has been via the blitz and that was undetectable before the Northwestern game.

Terrance Freeman and Josh Ellison were preseason All SLC picks at defensive end. They were nearly invisible for the first three games. Ellison finally reappeared with two sacks against the Demons. Damion Aultman and All SLC tackle Desmund Lighten must make bigger impacts with penetration and pressure. If it takes stunts, twists and tricks to get to the quarterback then Hebert and Collins better concoct said plan because the Southland Conference’s all time leading passer awaits them.

SFA quarterback Jeremy Moses is off to a fast start 3-1 start which included a huge win over Northern Iowa on the road. Toss in an open week and you have a well rested and confident bunch of wood choppers. Jacks coach J.C. Harper has had two weeks to prepare his sharp shooting trigger man for the Cowboys. Moses is already one of the top quarterbacks to play in the league and now he has had extra time to study film and get his timing down pat.

Moses threw for over 4100 yards last year with 40 touchdown passes against 21 interceptions. He is a 68% passer with a strong arm and good feet. At 6’0” 200 pounds he plays with a similar style of a certain undersized quarterback in New Orleans. As with Drew Brees the way to beat the polished and poised Moses is with pressure from all angles. McNeese will have to get him out of his comfort zone and make him rush his decisions and throws.

The Cowboys were not as bad as they played against Missouri and Cal Poly. But a win over the worst team in the conference doesn’t prove much either. McNeese’s defense is simply not as good as I thought they would be at this point in the season, the receivers both young and old need to find separation and open spots, the running backs and quarterback need to protect the ball and the return game needs to step up and contribute a big play or two.

Without huge leaps in energy, intensity and improvement the Cowboys won’t beat Stephen F. Austin despite home field at Cowboy Stadium. Two weeks to rest and the Moses factor gives SFA 10 points before they flip the coin. An upset of the Jacks though would catapult the Cowboys and go a long way in deciding the SLC race. But a loss to SFA wouldn’t be the end all either. I don’t expect the conference champion to go unscathed and remember these two clubs shared the league title in 2009.

McNeese reverted to some bad habits in the Northwestern win namely 9 penalties for 105 yards. Far too many personal fouls and unsportsmanlike calls. This was an emotional hard fought, physical game that meant players with history did not want to back down or give ground. But this program has been there and done that.

It’s time for the over zealous players to remove their heads from some unreachable point of entry and find some dog gone discipline and composure if by chance they still think of themselves as worthy champions. Prove your point between the lines and before the whistle blows.

And finally do you even have to say anything about the upcoming LSU game. The magnitude of this week’s SLC showdown with Stephen F. Austin speaks for itself and will affect McNeese’s season long goal of a conference title far more than the date with the Tigers in Baton Rouge. Just like the trip to Columbia, Missouri the first ever matchup with LSU is a money game for the fans. Don’t look ahead and even think about a Saturday night in Death Valley. It will doom any chance they have against the favored Lumberjacks.

It’s more important than ever for the resuscitated Cowboys to listen to Viator and their coaches when told to simply try and win one game at a time.

Rest or rust. I would think the majority of anyone wearing a stitch of black and gold will say rest won out. Saints head coach Sean Payton’s timely post game quip….”So much for being rusty”….was the perfect answer to anyone (and there were many in the media and fans alike) who doubted his plan of resting starters in that regular season ending loss to Carolina.

I wrote two weeks ago in these same pages that the Saints season ending three game losing streak would be the bait everyone would bite on as the NFC’s number one seed rested on the sidelines with a well deserved bye week before opening the playoffs against Arizona. I expressed concern over the two losses against Dallas and Tampa Bay choosing to ignore the road defeat to the Panthers for obvious reasons.

I hitched my wagon to a couple of Payton’s comments during the bye week that I thought was telling. The 4^th year head coach said in this situation with the playoffs looming and his team not playing their best football “the most important thing was knowing your team and I know this team. We will be ready.”

I would say a 45-14 drumming of the Cardinals proved the Saints were ready, willing and able. Three losses be damned.

I hope you don’t count yourself among the multitude that is suckered into the theory that a team’s past, however difficult and dismal, somehow transcends time and becomes the present despite having new management, coaches, players and attitude. I watched the same play as all of you. Arizona running back Tim Hightower slashing through the Saints defense untouched for 70 yards and a touchdown on the game’s first offensive play. The Cardinals had a 7-0 lead before Payton had time to do a sound check on his headsets.

I’d stake my 1967 inaugural schedule brass coin that every dog gone Saints fans from Lake Charles to the shores of Lake Ponchatrain, from Pierre Part to Pearl River was thinking holy smokes here we go again. These Saints have lulled us into believing they were different and now they are setting us up for heart ache again.

When will those weak hearted, noodle kneed, flim flam, band wagon fans learn? Drew Brees, Jonathan Vilma, Jeremy Shockey and Payton don’t believe in curses or the comeback of any bag heads. They do believe in this team, their talent, their will, their desire and the belief that the man fighting shoulder to shoulder with them believes the same thing.

That oneness was on display in the SuperDome against an Arizona team beaming with confidence of making a second straight trip to the Super Bowl. The Cards’ lightning strike from Hightower was impressive but the Saints response was even more eye opening. Brees answered with a 10 play, 72 yard drive that included an equal dose of pass and run. In that 5 minute 24 second drive Brees had the Birds on their heels and was about to clip their wings by halftime.

The Brees led offense, much maligned and second guessed since that blowout win over New England, reestablished itself albeit against a defense that gave up a 24 point lead the week prior to Green Bay. Brees practiced his usual spread the wealth philosophy throwing to eight different receivers for three touchdowns and no interceptions. Payton called a brilliant run/pass game that displayed the balance he so covets. The running game garnered 171 yards on 34 plays while the aerial side of the ledger totaled 247 yards off 32 passes.

I outlined in my column two weeks ago that the Saints rushing attack had the numbers to support breakout games despite being held in check of late. I noted that Reggie Bush, not thought of as a true running back in this attack, was averaging a career high 5.6 yards per carry. I don’t know if it was all that star power Bush was mingling with before the game (Brad Pitt and Spike Lee were chatting up Bush during pre-game warm ups while honey Kim Kardashian and her reality show Mom were cheering on from a luxury suite) but the fleet footed speedster put on his most jaw dropping show to date.

The two weeks of R & R healed any lingering bumps and aches and resulted in 217 all purpose yards and a couple of highlight reel runs that reminded many of his U.S.C./ Heisman performances. He ran with a conviction of gaining the tough yards by any means necessary like lowering his head and shoulders. When Bush did turn on the flash he was electric. His 46 yard touchdown dart that included a stop on a dime cut that would have fractured a normal human being’s ankle.

Lost in all this Bush mania and Brees’ brilliance was a defensive effort that was game changing. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams knew he had to pressure and rattle Arizona’s quick release, veteran quarterback Kurt Warner and he did just that. Warner could only muster 15 first downs and 23 minutes of possession. The Saints, who led the NFL in turnover ratio, collected two critical take aways that resulted in 14 points.

Arizona’s fate was sealed on the Saints second turnover of the first half when defensive end Will Smith snagged a Warner toss at the line of scrimmage. During Smith’s run back the 38 year old Warner gave a half hearted chase which opened him up to all sorts of danger. Defensive end Bobby McCray lowered a shoulder into Warner that sent the quarterback airborne and then crashing to the turf. Warner skipped the last few minutes of the first half to get treatment for a chest injury. He was never the same in the second half.

In my opinion I think McCray could have easily pushed Warner aside instead of lowering the boom. But it was a legal hit in the heat of battle and to Warner’s credit he didn’t criticize the hit.

So the top seeded Saints muzzled their critics with a dominating victory and allowed Payton a little bit of “I told you so” moment. Many of those same critics will be newly converted believers this week as New Orleans prepares to face the #2 seeded Vikings in the NFC Championship game Sunday at 5:40 PM. Minnesota is coming off a 34-3 shellacking of the once red hot Dallas Cowboys.

The Vikings will bring the Brett Favre drama to the city of his greatest feat; his one and only Super Bowl victory over New England in 1996. Favre is coming off 4 touchdown passes against a stout Dallas defense that appeared to be connected to invisible strings with the purple clad quarterback acting as the puppeteer.

The Saints dispatched the NFL’s second oldest starting quarterback in Warner. Now it’s on to the main act against Favre who is THE oldest quarterback in the league at 40.

Favre presents a unique challenge for Saints defenders in that he still moves very well, likes to roll out a throw across his body and has protected the ball better this season like no other in his career. The future first ballot Hall of Famer has averaged about 17 interceptions a season. But this year he has thrown only 7 to go with 37 touchdown passes. Favre has constructed maybe his best statistical season in his long, illustratious career.

The New Orleans offensive line and tight ends will be pressed on the edges this week from Minnesota’s All Pro defensive end and pass rushing demon Jared Allen along with the monsters up the middle in Pat and Kevin Williams. The Vikes’ Ray Edwards had 3 sacks and a forced fumble in the Cowboys’ victory but a injury could sideline him for the NFC title game.

The Saints O-Line has protected the city’s most cherish commodity better than any levee system known to man. Drew Brees must be given ample time to find his receivers and try to take advantage of a Minnesota secondary prone to giving up big plays. Payton must keep a hard charging Viking front seven honest by running the ball and using the play action. Look for the Saints to use more of a three man rushing attack with Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell and Bush to send fresh legs and different running styles against an aggressive and active Minnesota defense.

The Saints defense will set its sites on #4 and disrupting Favre’s comfort zone in hopes of forcing him to throw into coverage. It will be difficult to confuse the 20 year veteran who has seen it all but if the Saints can build a lead that just may prompt Favre to try and do too much with his arm. Look for former Minnesota and current Saints star Darren Sharper to be a difference maker at safety.

The New Orleans run defense allowed only 31 yards after Hightower’s early game scamper. Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson will get his 75 to 100 yards. The key is not allowing back up Chester Taylor or rookie Percy Harvin to hurt you with another 60 or 80 yards rushing.

Special teams and turnovers again will carry a lot of significance in what I think will truly be an offensive shootout.

The story lines are coming into focus. Brees, who has thrown for more yards in the past four years than any other quarterback, vs. Favre who has amassed the most career passing yards in league history. This will the Saints second appearance in the NFC Championship and the second time they will face an NFC North opponent. (Payton took the Saints to the 2006 NFC Championship only to lose to the Bears in Chicago)

Favre grew up in Kiln, Mississippi, only 50 miles from New Orleans. He was a diehard Saints and Archie Manning fan as a boy.

And finally this will be an early coming of Mardi Gras. New Orleans has hosted 9 Super Bowls but this will be the city’s first ever NFC Championship game.

It’s a season of first for the Saints. Their best record ever, the team’s first top seeding in the playoffs and their first championship game in the Super Dome. The only thing that remains on the Saints’ “first to do list” is the Super Bowl. Hard to believe I know but its time to forget about the past and believe in the present.

It’s like a bad case of ache that keeps popping up on prom night. Everything is going pretty good. The cute cheerleader said yes for date night, the tux is rented and you have set your plans in motion. Then you look in the mirror and there it is staring back at you. A big, ugly zit that is sure to ruin the party.

The recurring blemish that continues to scar football seasons for the McNeese Cowboys is first round playoff disasters.

The Cowboys’ latest post season derailment came last week as New Hampshire traveled deep in the heart of Dixie for a resounding 49-13 victory at Cowboy Stadium. It’s the latest in a string of four first round playoff losses for McNeese which dates back to 2002.

The numbers are not getting any better with each playoff appearance. The 36 point loss to the Wildcats was the largest margin of defeat over those last four early exists. In fact it’s the worst playoff loss in all of McNeese’s 13 post season visits. When you add up the last four opening round debacles McNeese has been beaten by an average of 30 points!

Since the Cowboys’ 2002 national championship appearance they have won four outright or a share of the Southland Conference championship. But during this seven year stretch McNeese has been blown out in four disastrous playoff matchups. A very tough and bitter pill for head coach Matt Viator who won three of those conference titles but also lost three in post season. “It’s frustrating when we get in these situations, in these playoff games and it just seems like they make more (big plays) than we do. It’s frustrating for me because it’s my responsibility to get us in those situations.”

When this streak began back in 2003 against Northern Arizona it was a red hot freshman quarterback that could do no wrong in a 35-3 win at McNeese. The Cowboys missed the playoffs the next two years but returned in 2006 in Viator’s first season as head coach. A 31-6 loss at Montana was a combination of getting tossed around like rag dolls by the Grizzlies’ mountain-sized linemen and a balanced offensive attack. Next up was Eastern Washington in 2007 at Cowboy Stadium. This time McNeese had no defensive answer to a pass happy spread offense and another sure handed, accurate quarterback who riddled the Cowboys’ outmatched secondary for a 44-15 win.

The latest playoff installment did not include a particularly sizzling hot quarterback eventhou New Hampshire’s R.J. Toman was a proficient 17 of 25 for 240 yards and three touchdowns. The Wildcats were not overly huge or fast. Their biggest star, tight end Scott Sicko, did have 5 catches and two scores but he didn’t run roughshod over the Pokes.

McNeese simply caught a very good 9-2 team who played better than the Cowboys in all phases of the game. The Wildcats had many more big plays of 20 yards or more, they had no turnovers (head coach Sean McDonnell noted after the game that winning the turnover battle was critical), were 9 of 16 on 3^rd down conversions (McNeese was only 5 of 16) and amassed 460 yards in offense, which is over 100 yards more than the Cowboys normally allow.

So in every losing situation it was something different that tripped up the Cowboys. Seeing and knowing the problem is easy. Finding the answer and solution is not. “Trust me if I knew (the answer to their playoff woes) I’d have already fixed it,” Viator said. “I don’t know. This year we did things differently. We had perfect weather, a perfect field. Everything was good. We actually changed our routine. Pretty much changed everything and I thought we had a good week (of practice) I really did. The guys were ready. I don’t know we just didn’t get it done but I certainly don’t have the answer to that.”

Viator does know that New Hampshire has more going for it than just being the first presidential primary state every four years or having the best state license plate slogan (Live Free or Die). This is a football program that has transformed itself into a juggernaut with six straight playoff berths, now a quarterfinalist 5 of the last 6 years and have defeated five straight 1-A opponents including Ball State this season along with past wins over Rutgers, Northwestern (Big 10), Marshall and Army.

“They are solid…give them credit. Other than the blocked field goal they didn’t make any mistakes. They did not turn it over. They were strong on special teams and certainly good on both sides of the ball. They have a great league (four Colonial Athletic Association teams in the playoffs-New Hampshire, #2 Villanova, William & Mary and #4 Richmond) and they have a lot of great players,” noted Viator.

But McNeese had a lot of great players too from a pretty solid conference as well. The Cowboys scored an impressive win over a former 3 time 1-AA national champion in Appalachian State and came close to beating 1-A Tulane this season. So how and why did McNeese fall so badly?

Primarily big plays both offensively and defensively favored the visitors and missed scoring opportunities by McNeese were the keys in the loss. In the Wildcats’ first possession Toman hit a streaking Joey Orlando for 33 yards to set up his first T.D. pass to Sicko. In the 2^nd quarter Toman again found Kevon Mason, despite being double covered, for a 62 yard gain that set up a Chad Kackert 11 yard touchdown run. The back breaker came in the 3^rd quarter when Derrick Fourroux tried to pass over a blitzing linebacker, his pass was tipped and intercepted by Terrence Klein who returned it untouched for 79 yards and a 35-13 New Hampshire lead.

“It hurt us”, Fourroux said of the Klein pick six. “They blitzed from the right side. I tried to get it over them. They made a great play. I tried to swat the ball but I missed it. The guy made a great play on the ball.”

“A pick six is huge,” says New Hampshire quarterback R.J. Toman. “ As an offense on the sidelines we are as happy as can be because we got points and we didn’t have to do anything. Seeing Terrance score was huge and you could hear this place go quiet after that. The play was huge in a lot of ways”.

Once again McNeese defense wilted under the weight of playoff pressure. Not enough of a consistent rush and pressure on the opposing quarterback and once again the secondary allowed too many over the top plays for big chunks of yardage. McDonnell knew the McNeese defense was quick but young and aggressive to a fault.

“We’ve been seasoned in our conference. You play against four or five teams in the CAA that defensively are as good as anyone in the country. Our offensive line has grown up a lot this year and seen a lot just in the last 3 or 4 weeks. We thought we could do some play passes (play action passes) because we thought their safeties were very aggressive and they were. We thought we could keep them off balance with short throws and moved the pocket early.”

The Cowboys needed there Appalachian State offensive effort coupled with the defense they put up against Stephen F. Austin. The time machine was on the fritz. McNeese got neither.

Give Viator credit for honesty and being forthright when he said New Hampshire” outcoached us and outplayed us”. There will be a lot of complaining and negativity among Cowboy fans about this latest playoff defeat. Some of it is justified. McNeese coaches and players must some how dial up a playoff worthy game plan and performance when matched up with the best F.C.S. has to offer. In the meantime don’t let the flood of frustration diminish what this outgoing McNeese senior class has accomplished. A group led by Fourroux, Todd Pendland, Wes Mangan, Casey Richter, Immanuel Friddle and Richard Connor won three S.L.C. titles, three post season games and an undefeated regular season (2007-11-0).

There will be more tears shed over the failures then joy with their accomplishments. That’s human nature with competitive athletes but hopefully as the months and years pass this special group of young men will gain a more balanced perspective that comes with age. “I’m disappointed we couldn’t go far in the playoffs. Going 0-3 in the playoffs is not too good. As far as a season as a team we did well winning a conference championship. It just didn’t work out for us. I wish we could have gone farther in the playoffs,” said a dejected Fourroux.

“It’s been a great five years here. Coach V…love him to death. A great coaching staff….I played my heart out here. Tried my best to get a win.” Not many in McNeese football history played tougher and with more heart than Fourroux. The Erath native had been entrenched as a four year starter. The humble and soft spoken nursing major will leave McNeese as the school’s most productive and prolific quarterback ever. He broke nearly every major passing and scoring record once held by the legendary Kerry Joseph.

Pendland sheds the blue and gold with the school’s single season rushing record in hand and broke Buford Jordan’s all time touchdown record with 46. Pendland added that it was a privledge and honor to play for Viator and McNeese.

With the sting of this defeat still piercing his gut Viator struggled to suppress his emotions when reflecting on his senior stars. A record setting collection of talent that he and this school may never see on the same field again. “It will be different going on to start preparing again in January when we get back without #4, 22 and 85 (numbers for Fourroux, Pendland and Mangan) and Chad Davis and Richard Connor. They played a lot of football and won a lot of games here. I think what’s really special about this class is that they are great people. They’ve done everything right. It’s going to be difficult when we start back up in January and they’re not here,” said an emotional Viator.

“We obviously have a lot of guys coming back. Everybody but one on defense. So hopefully we can try and get ourselves back in this position again and see if we can do better.”

Before Viator can take the next progressive step as head coach he must find the “answer” to what ails his teams in the playoffs. Before this program can return to the elite stage among F.C.S. national championship contenders they must solve this plaguing playoff dilemma.

From a stadium seat or the press box the answers seem simple enough. Play better on the big stage against top competition, execute a game plan aimed at stopping pass oriented offenses and create game winning moments with turnovers and special team play.

Until that happens, until McNeese erases the memories of four lopsided playoff losses, the bitter taste of defeat and disappointment will linger no matter how many regular season games or conference crowns are won.

This was the biggest victory in McNeese State football history. Bar none. Bigger than the 1997 road win at Delaware (23-21 final) which put the Cowboys in there first ever 1-AA national championship game. Bigger than the back to back playoff victories over Montana and Villanova in the 2002 march toward the Cowboys’ second and last national championship appearance. Bigger than any win over U.S.L. or U.L. Lafayette ever.

The late Jack Doland, former McNeese head coach in the 19970’s, is probably looking down from the heavens shaking his head saying there goes Sarro again with his over exaggeration. I can imagine former Cowboy coaches Bobby Keasler and Tommy Tate muttering that once again I don’t know what I am talking about.

McNeeese coach Matt Viator, with probably his best coaching and play calling performance, stopped short of “biggest win ever” but did say it was “the biggest non conference or non playoff victory we’ve had.”

“You (Sarro) are probably better qualified to answer that question about the greatest ever. I do remember an Independence Bowl win (McNeese defeated Tulsa 20-16 in 1976’s 10-2 season) and the Delaware and Montana wins in the playoffs,” commented Viator.

“I don’t know….everything surrounding this game. 30,000 plus fans, the hills were filled, their stadium being dedicated, many around that program saying this could be the best team ever at App State. I don’t know. A lot will play out by the end of the year.”

In the end I don’t think there is a strong enough argument to sway me from this contention that the Cowboys’ yo-yo, back and forth, big play laded, emotionally charged 40-35 shock at “the Rock” upset of then 2^nd ranked Appalachian State is by far the greatest victory by any McNeese team at any time in the school’s 59 years of football.

The only thing that will knock this victory off the pedestal is something surrounding a national championship situation or say maybe an act of God upset of LSU in 2010. That’s it. That’s how utterly impressive this upset was.

First from the McNeese side of the equation. The Cowboys went into this matchup ranked 16^th and coming off an awful, come from behind 27-24 win over Division II Henderson State. McNeese was plagued with 14 penalties for 117 yards and had to score 21 second half points to avoid what would have been the program’s most embarrassing loss ever.

The Cowboys were missing some horses as they headed to the hills out east. Critical players out for the game were four defensive backs, one play making receiver in Bernardo Henry and the defense’s best player, preseason all conference linebacker Deron Minor, who contributed a few scant plays but was again limited to being a cheerleader from the sideline.

The offensive line, with four new starters up front, did battle against the F.C. S.’s top rated defense from last season in App State and a unit with 9 starters back. McNeese’s kicking game is in the still unsure and inexperienced hands of a freshman kicker who missed a field goal and a point after in the season opener.

All these factors didn’t give anyone a warm, fuzzy feeling about going into the most intimidating, hostile venue (Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, North Caroina) in all of 1-AA football. Keep it within a respectable 10-14 point margin was the prevailing sentiment among the Blue and Gold camp of fans and some media including yours truly.

This game appeared even more of a monumental challenge when you considered the caliber of opposition and its strengths which made the Mountaineers the prohibitive favorite.

Appalachian State has been the F.C.S./1-AA team of the decade winning three of the last four national championships along with achieving the unthinkable at the time, its shocking upset of Michigan in Ann Arbor in 2007. That mind blowing victory, with many of the same players still on App State’s roster, is considered by many including me as the biggest upset in all of college football history!

That’s some historical perspective on the Mountaineers. The present day facts made these guys look even more formidable. They were ranked #1 in the polls going into their season opener at East Carolina the week before which they most assuredly would have won if starting quarterback Armanti Edwards had played. Instead a 17 point fourth quarter rally fell short in a 29-24 loss against the Conference USA favorite.

And speaking of Mr. Edwards, the returning senior quarterback extraordinare and current owner of the Walton Payton Award, the F.C.S.’s Heisman Trophy, is as good as advertised. Edwards was making his first game appearance or real football of any kind since injuring his foot in a freak lawnmower accident over the summer. He didn’t show much rust completing 19 of 25 passes for 235 yards along with 72 yards rushing and two touchdowns. He is big, strong, fast and is the most feared duel run/pass threat this side of Tim Tebow.

Did I mention they have 9 starters back on a defense that was the best in the F.C.S. last season? A fact that loses some hype in the long shadow of Edwards and their spread offense.

App State also protects there home turf like no other in college football. Going into the McNeese game they had a 42-2 home record in their last 44 games and veteran head coach Jerry Moore was 18-3 in season home openers. They don’t call this place the Rock for nothing. In short you put this same collection of players in some 1-A conferences like Conference USA, the Sun Belt or even the ACC and Appalachian State would be a force.

You should have a clear, concise image of the magnitude of the obstacle McNeese overcame in the mountains in northern North Carolina. It may not have been David vs. Goliath but damn close.

“We knew they were very talented but we thought we could run with them,” Viator told me the Sunday morning after the win as I interrupted his film session on McNeese’s next opponent, Savannah State. “We told our guys we can run with them and match their speed. App State is a lot like us. Not very big but built with speed. They didn’t have very big linemen, like us, but a lot of very good looking athletes.”

McNeese showed they have more than a few very good athletes as well in particular senior quarterback Derrick Fourroux and senior tailback Toddrick Pendland. These two offensive stars have a habit of making big plays. Pendland totaled 127 yards rushing with another 121 yards off 10 receptions and three touchdowns. Fourroux had a career high 341 passing yards completing 25 of 34 with 4 touchdowns (three passing, one running). This pair was instrumental in converting those all important 3^rd down conversions, 8 of 14 to be exact which is sometimes a forgotten stat but often decides final outcomes such as this one.

It was like two heavyweight boxers slugging it out in the second half. Every time the rejuvenated Mountaineers marched to a touchdown McNeese answered the bell with two great kickoff returns of over 40 yards by freshmen Champlain Babin and Javaris Murray that led to counter punch touchdowns by the Cowboys.

With the game in the balance freshman kicker Josh Lewis pushed a point after kick wide right. Let App State retain a 28-27 lead in the 3^rd quarter. But in the 4^th quarter and the ball at the McNeese 5 yard line Fourroux directed a John Elwayish 95 yard 16 play drive that included three critical 3^rd down conversions and a 4^th down quarterback sneak to keep the march alive at the App State 5 yardline. Fourroux, who would not be outshined or outplayed by the more marquee known Edwards, took it in from 2 yards out. Viator unveiled his Wildcat formation with a direct snap to Pendland who ran it in for the 2 point conversion for a 35-28 lead.

After App State tied it up again at 35 Fourroux did his best Kerry Joseph impersonation in the form of a 10 play, 80 yard mission to win march in the game’s final two minutes. The turning point was another 4^th down do or die, gut check call by Viator. At the App State 40 yard line facing 4^th and 6 Viator could have gone with the safe move and punted hoping to pin the Mountaineers deep in their own territory with time running out for any game winning field goal. Instead the 4^th year head coach said he came to win and wasn’t going to coach scared so he dialed up another nifty screen pass to Pendland for an 11 yard gain. Fourroux later connected with tight end Corday Clark at the 2 yard line. And as they say the rest if history.

“I told Josh to show me some teeth. Give me a smile and lets go home,” as Viator relived his sideline pep talk with the freshman kicker moments before he knocked the game winning 18 yard field goal through the uprights.

Lewis, a Denham Springs native and the only kicker Viator recruited this year, may have converted the biggest kick in his collegiate career a mere two games into his freshman season. Try to imagine what was going through Lewis’ head after missing two PATs and a field goal try over his first two games already and now faced with the pressure of finishing off an historic victory. The kid is off to a choppy start but he’s got pedigree. His father and mentor, Ronnie Lewis, is a former LSU kicker and obviously has tutored Josh not only about the mechanics of kicking and also the mental strength it takes to respond in win or lose game situations.

Big game performances were turned in by many for McNeese. Fourroux and Pendland cemented what could be All America seasons. With Wes Mangan nursing a sore back the Cowboys found themselves another star tight end in junior Corday Clark who had six huge catches for a career high 137 yards. Clark had only 3 catches all of last season. Defensive back Seth Thomas’ fumble recovery of a sure App State touchdown pass at the goal line that ended the first half and protected a 7 point McNeese lead at the break.

I would hope a game ball was given to the entire offensive line after beating down an aggressive, talented and fast front six from App State. From tackle to tackle McNeese’s O-Line offered Fourroux secret service type protection allowing him ample time to makes his reads, find open receivers and gave Pendland the openings he needed to break free into the secondary. It was an amazing turn around from game one and it showed once again just how good third year offensive line coach Reggie Nelson teaches and prepares his troops.

The shorthanded defense held the explosive Edwards in check for two quarters and made them work for the 28 second half points they did score. This will be the most talented offensive team McNeese will face all season.

The Cowboys were not expected to win. On paper they were not suppose to win. Not against the 2^nd ranked team in the country, not on the road at the toughest place to play in 1-AA football, not against one of the best defenses or against one of the most dangerous and talented players in 1-AA/F.C.S history. McNeese would not stand a chance unless they had a Jekyl and Hyde type transformation from their mistake plagued season opener.

Delaware, Montana, James Madison and Youngstown State, all victims of years past are not even close to being on the same level as an Appalachian State.

McNeese has not won a playoff game since 2002 and has lost a significant presence on the national stage due to its recent post season failures. The Cowboys were still a respected rival but the fear factor had waned among the nation’s elite teams. A road win over mighty App State will surely change that and go a long way in reestablishing McNeese’s position near the top of the ladder. The win will also catapult the Cowboys up the F.C.S. poll. But it doesn’t guarantee anything as the Cowboys must now move on and prepare anew for Savannah State, a date with Tulane in the SuperDome and then a tough upcoming Southland Conference schedule. This defeat of a three time national champion still in their prime will surely give McNeese a shot of confidence, momentum and a touch of added swagger. And they deserve it.

This game, this victory is one that will be in bold print on the coaching resumes of Viator and his entire staff who did one heck of a job in pulling off the upset for the ages.

The head coach who grew up in and around this McNeese coaching fraternity measures his words and opinions carefully. Viator, not known for an extra helping bravado or ego, says he will leave the question of ….greatest victory in McNeese history…up to guys like me. And I’m OK with that.

The year is 2039 and the new Governor of Louisiana is introduced to a large gathering in Lake Charles. The public address announcer echoes….please welcome newly elected Louisiana Governor…..Luke Lawton. Loud cheers and applause ensues while many in the crowd recite their best stories of Lawton’s football exploits at McNeese and his days in the N.F.L.

“I want to be the Governor of Louisiana. I want to get into politics. I’ve always set lofty goals. Why stop when I am done playing ball. So I want to help people so what better way to help than to be in public office. I don’t really know how I am going to do it but I’m pretty smart so I will figure out a way, “ says a very un-governor looking Lawton dressed in workout gear, flip flops and an Oakland Raider hat.

Back to 2009 and the present Lawton is using all his smarts, perseverance and work ethic to retain his starting fullback position with the NFL’s Raiders as training camp opened this week.

In preparation for this story I met Lawton a few weeks ago at his old stomping grounds, the McNeese Field House on campus. From the start I sensed a new found maturity and calmness in Lawton. He was actually early for our interview session, sitting comfortably on a lobby sofa alone with no entourage in tow. I had not seen him since his playing days as a Cowboy ended after the 2003 season. He hasn’t changed much other than a new line or two on his now 28 year old face and a few new tattoos. What ensued was one of the most honest and revealing hour long interviews I have done in some time. Lawton was never one to hold his tongue and mince words. He speaks from his heart with intelligence, honesty and thoughtfulness.

Never more so then on beating the odds and making an NFL roster. “I always knew I had the talent to do it. I’m surprised that I am still around fighting the uphill battle being from a small school, being an undersized white kid. You fight those stereotypes. I’ve been blessed hanging around this long. I’m just now seeing the fruits of my labor. It’s been very, very hard but that’s much more gratifying now being a starter in the NFL.”

Lawton signed with the Raiders in the spring of 2008 after being cut by the Philadelphia Eagles after only one short week of mini camp. He was able to secure an active roster spot with Oakland as a special team’s player but eventually worked his way up as the starting fullback by the sixth game of the season last year.

His NFL journey began as an undrafted free agent with the Buffalo Bills in 2004. He was on their practice squad for a season. It’s in Buffalo where Lawton experienced the rookie star struck syndrome but quickly overcame being wide eyed. “When I first got to camp in Buffalo it was Wow that’s Drew Bledsoe (former all pro quarterback), there’s Willis MaGahee (running back) and Eric Moulds (all pro receiver). You get a little star struck but after a while I said to myself you can play football with these guys.”

In 2005 Lawton was signed by the New York Giants but then cut during the season. He was then picked up by the cross town Jets and listed as starting fullback by then head coach Herm Edwards for the last five games. In comes new Jets coach Eric Mangini and out goes Lawton. He loved his time in New York, loved Coach Edwards but “hated Giants coach Tom Coughlin.” (Lawton stressed that I print his true feelings about Coughlin)

“I broke my nose at practice one day. I took the afternoon practice off to get my nose fixed. Coughlin says ….’if you can’t breathe out of your nose then breathe out of your mouth’. I said come on man….I ended up getting cut two or three days later.”

After the Jets dropped him early in the fall of 2006 Lawton thought football was finally over for him. But then came a fortuitous phone call from the Indianapolis Colts. By that October Lawton was in the huddle with Peyton Manning and was the lead blocker for former LSU running back Joseph Adai.

“Peyton Manning is one of the great players of all time because he is very, very smart. He does the little things right all the time. There are two Peyton Mannings. The Manning in the huddle acts like your Dad, telling you how to block a linebacker…like he’s played fullback before. Outside the huddle he’s a great guy to have a beer with because he is flat out hilarious. My time with Peyton was great,” Lawton reflected.

Great is an understatement as Lawton’s lucky phone call from the Colts meant he hitched his wagon to a Super Bowl winning team that year. Manning won his first Super Bowl in rain soaked Miami, head coach Tony Dungy became the first African American head coach to win a Super Bowl and Lawton got what Hall of Famers like Dan Marino doesn’t have and that’s a Super Bowl ring.

Despite not playing a single down in the game Lawton did his part and has the jewelry and those unbelievable memories. “We were rock stars down there. It was pretty awesome. I vowed to go back and really play. It’s fantastic. I met a lot of celebrities and was treated like a king. After the game I was just looking around. It doesn’t hit you until it’s over and I was flashing back to when I was 9 years old year playing at Clark Field in Lafayette with all the pot holes and just dreaming of playing in the Super Bowl. It was an awesome time.”

Two seasons in Indianapolis (2006 & 2007) resulted in a Super Bowl ring (he keeps it well hidden in an undisclosed location)and having played with a certain Hall of Famer in Manning. But I got the sense Lawton was most affected by his time around the intensely spiritual and faith based Dungy. Now Lawton freely uses words like “blessed” , “humbled” and “respect”. That’s the direct impact of the quiet strength of Dungy, who has overcome the tragic loss of a son to suicide, and has openly healed his family through his belief and faith in Jesus Christ.

“Dungy is a fantastic man. I loved playing for him. He just made you want to play hard for him. Never raised his voice. Never. Never. He treats you like a man. You find yourself just wanting to win for the guy. I will always cherish my time playing for him,” stressed Lawton.

Before the 2008 season the Colts traded Lawton (it’s still a business) to the Eagles which then opened the door for him to eventually land in Oakland where he was reunited with former McNeese Cowboys receivers coach Adam Henry who is now the Raiders’ tight ends coach. If you are keeping track that’s five years in the NFL and five different teams. So it goes for an undrafted, free agent, mostly reserve/special teams support player like Lawton. Over his five plus seasons he has learned that the business of pro football is run by the men in suits who Lawton says don’t always have a clue about what they are doing.

“Many times the front office guys or scouts didn’t let the coaches know I was released. The coaches would say …”what are you doing when I would hand them my playbook. These decisions are made by a lot of guys (executives) that don’t know what they are doing. They have all the measureables….size, speed, height, 40 times , how many times you can bench press. But they can’t measure heart and toughness,” revealed Lawton.

“My greatest strength and also my greatest weakness is that I always believed in myself to do things at a high level. That’s why I have hung around this long because I’m hard headed. I have all the physical tools just not all the hype of players who come from the D-1 schools.”

Lawton came to 1-AA McNeese from St. Thomas More High School in Lafayette. The son of Bill Lawton and Mauri Sargent now divorced. Luke quickly explains he is not part of the well known and well heeled Lawton family of Calcasieu Parish. He says they are the “poor Lawtons from Lafayette”. His Dad now resides in Houston while Mom still lives in Lafayette.

Luke says the most fun he has had playing football was with the Cowboys in “the hole” gesturing over his right shoulder. He was a four year starter at fullback and the only record Lawton pops up on in the annals McNeese football is total career touchdowns scored with 31 tying him for fourth place with former running back Jessie Burton on the all time list. A pretty solid number for a bruising fullback who thought of himself more as a runner than a blocker. “I’m a much better blocker now. I love to block now. That’s all I do and if I didn’t I won’t be on the field. I can still catch and I’m good at pass protection. At McNeese I couldn’t block hardly anybody.”

But those drills and techniques he did not absorb at McNeese has sunk in over his years in the league. Lawton admits he could be a coach now because of all the football he has learned since being in the NFL. His statement, “ I didn’t know anything about football until I got into the NFL” is not a knock against his college or high school coaches. He says it’s just the increased level of knowledge and position specialization the NFL expects from those 5 inch thick playbooks. “There’s definitely a learning curve in the NFL. It took me two years to get use to the speed. You don’t have time to think you just react. What separates the NFL from college is the talent level is so close. Every team has about the same amount of talent. What separates who makes it in the pros is the guy who is smart and can adapt.”

I think Lawton should have adaptation down to an art form. Think about the teams he has been around. The small market and overlooked Bills in Buffalo. The mega bright lights of the New York Giants and Jets in the largest city in the country. Then to the Midwest and the Heartland of Indianapolis with the straight laced Dungy and Manning. And now in the land of the NFL’s black sheep, the Oakland Raiders, owned and managed by pro football icon and sometimes outcast Al Davis. Home of the crazed Black and Silver Raider Nation fan base.

Lawton, once an admitted “free spirit” while at McNeese, has traded in his past unpredictability for a more workmanlike nature and found a niche by the Bay. “I absolutely love the Raiders. I had a buzz cut when I came over and I haven’t cut my hair since. Kind of like paying homage to those old Raiders who had the long hair. It’s a good fit for me. The Raiders do there own thing out here. Raider Nation is everywhere. The fans are great and I feel so blessed to be a part of this organization.”

The 28 year old Lawton is one of five former McNeese players currently on an NFL active roster as training camps are officially underway. Ironically Lawton is the most unheralded of the ex Cowboys but the only one listed as a starter. The group includes recently drafted receiver Quinten Lawrence of the Kansas City Chiefs, defensive end Bryan Smith in Philadelphia, cornerback Keith Smith with the Detroit Lions and defensive back Darrick Brown also on the Raiders roster.

One truism about the NFL has lasted the test of time and that is you have to be at the right place, with the right team and the right time to have a shot in the pros. You can be a former collegiate All American or even a Heisman Trophy winner and not make a team if you are not the right player for their exact needs. “Timing is everything,” says Lawton. “It just so happens the Raiders have a zone blocking scheme. Ten years ago they had a power scheme. I never would have fit there. You have to find a place that you fit. So timing is absolutely everything.”

Oakland head coach Tom Cable, entering his first full season at the helm, is a former offensive line coach who wants to run the ball. Lawton describes the Raiders’ trio of running backs as “super talented” headed by Darren McFadden (ex Arkansas superstar), Justin Fargas and Michael Bush. Lawton doesn’t expect to get many carries but that’s OK because he knows his role is to be the lead blocker. He will have added competition at the fullback slot this camp as Oakland signed veteran Lorenzo Neal from Baltimore. “He played a lot of years with the Saints. He might be 39 or 40 years old but still a great player. I can’t worry about Neal. Just worry about me and playing my game, “ Lawton pointed out.

He has also seen what many NFL pundits would say is the slow progress of former LSU quarterback and 2006 top draft pick JaMarcus Russell. “He’s got an unbelievable arm. He broke my finger on a 5 yard check down pass last year. He’s got the arm if he ever decides he wants to be one of the best quarterbacks in the game he will have to buckle down and do the little things like Peyton Manning that nobody else does and if he (Russell) does that he can be great.”

Lawton knows of what he speaks. He saw first hand in Indy as Manning was the first to arrive at work and the last to leave. Outlasting some coaches who put in 18 hour days. Manning’s marathon hours in the film room are legendary says Lawton and his attention to detail on the field meant the difference between winning and losing.

If you listen to Lawton’s appraisal of Oakland’s overall talent you would think the Raiders are Super Bowl contenders this year. So why a 5-11 finish in 2008 and not 11-5.

“You can’t measure heart. You can have the most talented people in the world that doesn’t mean they are tough and they will be there busting there butts 80 plays a game. That may be where we (Raiders) are lacking.”

From Lawton’s limited vantage point the Raiders are not lacking in front office smarts and leadership. That leads us to iconic owner Al Davis who Lawton describes as “sharp as a tack” and is nothing like he is portrayed by the national media. “If there is one thing he is not is feeble minded. He has forgotten more football than I will ever know. He knows more about me than probably my Mom. I’ve never really met an owner before but he talked with me several times in the weight room. Super cool guy that treats his players like kings.”

The Raider mystique is evident from the front door and through out the silver and black confines in Oakland. Super Bowl trophies are displayed, photos of past Raider greats and a huge sign that reads…”Team of the Decades”. Lawton says Davis constantly has ex Raider players and coaches around to remind them of past greatness and what it takes to win a championship.

The Raiders posted their biggest win of last season in the final game upsetting the Bucs in Tampa Bay 31-24 knocking the home team out of the playoffs. It was one of the season’s most shocking outcomes as the favored Buccaneers needed only a victory over Oakland to earn a playoff spot. “I think the Bucs went in overlooking us. You can’t do that in this league. We just shoved it down there throats the whole game. I played like 60 plays and had a huge headache. I was so tired, my vision was blurred and I just recall running into linebacker Derrick Brooks all game.”

A few weeks later during the off season Tampa Bay fired veteran head coach Jon Gruden who Lawton resembles so much his Mom calls him “Chuckie”. (Gruden’s nickname)

The 6 foot 240 pound Lawton has been able to answer the call to action wherever he has landed over his five nomadic seasons in the NFL. He has stayed clear of serious injury while admitting to playing with concussions twice and was forced to receive pain killing shots to his injured foot before every game last season. He has since had off season surgery to repair the injury.

“ I think it’s the hand of God and my Mom’s prayers that are protecting me. I’ve seen a lot of guys in my situation a lot more talented than me….bigger, faster, freaks of nature….but they wear down. They are like Corvettes. They hit a pothole and it throws their alignment off. I’m like a F-150 truck. I keep finding a way to keep going,” Lawton chuckled.

The engaged and soon to be married Lawton still makes his off season home in Lake Charles because “the people here treat me like family.” He thought about moving to Oakland where “it’s 70 degrees and always sunny” but something always brings him back here he says.

He is one full semester short of earning a Marketing degree from McNeese but doesn’t know if and when he will finish. “School’s never been my thing but I will probably end up finishing because my Mom wants me to. Maybe I can get an honorary degree what do you think, “ as he laughs and flashes a big smile.

The former Cowboy with the cool name and surfer blond hair has fought his way through the mine field of rejection that is the NFL. Lawton has done so on true grit, guts and fortitude along with an admitted limited skill set. His motivation is deep rooted and serves him well especially during training camp as he fights to prove he still belongs with the NFL’s elite. “People telling me I couldn’t. Doubters telling me I couldn’t. That was always my driving force. I think of my whole life….the years of working. The Super Bowl was like a culmination of it. I feel so blessed and humbled to be able to chase my dreams and succeed at it.”

“Now I am just trying to be a good role model for kids. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s not possible. You can do anything you want it life.”

Sounds like a great start to a campaign speech that may just put him in the Governor’s mansion in 20 years.

BY RICK SARRO

      That’s right you heard it here first. The always smiling, shaggy haired former McNeese fullback is following in the footsteps of NBA great Charles Barkley by announcing his intentions of one day being the Governor of his home state.
     “I want to be the Governor of Louisiana. I want to get into politics. I’ve always set lofty goals. Why stop when I am done playing ball. So I want to help people so what better way to help than to be in public office.   I don’t really know how I am going to do it but I’m pretty smart so I will figure out a way, “ says a very un-governor looking Lawton dressed in workout gear, flip flops and an Oakland Raider hat.
      Back to 2009 and the present Lawton is using all his smarts, perseverance and work ethic to retain his starting fullback position with the NFL’s Raiders as training camp opened this week.
     In preparation for this story I met Lawton a few weeks ago at his old stomping grounds, the McNeese Field House on campus. From the start I sensed a new found maturity and calmness in Lawton. He was actually early for our interview session, sitting comfortably on a lobby sofa alone with no entourage in tow. I had not seen him since his playing days as a Cowboy ended after the 2003 season.   He hasn’t changed much other than a new line or two on his now 28 year old face and a few new tattoos. What ensued was one of the most honest and revealing hour long interviews I have done in some time. Lawton was never one to hold his tongue and mince words. He speaks from his heart with intelligence, honesty and thoughtfulness.
     Never more so then on beating the odds and making an NFL roster. “I always knew I had the talent to do it. I’m surprised that I am still around fighting the uphill battle being from a small school, being an undersized white kid. You fight those stereotypes. I’ve been blessed hanging around this long. I’m just now seeing the fruits of my labor. It’s been very, very hard but that’s much more gratifying now being a starter in the NFL.”
      Lawton signed with the Raiders in the spring of 2008 after being cut by the Philadelphia Eagles after only one short week of mini camp. He was able to secure an active roster spot with Oakland as a special team’s player but eventually worked his way up as the starting fullback by the sixth game of the season last year.

     His NFL journey began as an undrafted free agent with the Buffalo Bills in 2004. He was on their practice squad for a season. It’s in Buffalo where Lawton experienced the rookie star struck syndrome but quickly overcame being wide eyed. “When I first got to camp in Buffalo it was Wow that’s Drew Bledsoe (former all pro quarterback), there’s Willis MaGahee (running back) and Eric Moulds (all pro receiver). You get a little star struck but after a while I said to myself you can play football with these guys.”
     In 2005 Lawton was signed by the New York Giants but then cut during the season. He was then picked up by the cross town Jets and listed as starting fullback by then head coach Herm Edwards for the last five games. In comes new Jets coach Eric Mangini and out goes Lawton. He loved his time in New York, loved Coach Edwards but “hated Giants coach Tom Coughlin.” (Lawton stressed that I print his true feelings about Coughlin)
      “I broke my nose at practice one day. I took the afternoon practice off to get my nose fixed. Coughlin says ….’if you can’t breathe out of your nose then breathe out of your mouth’. I said come on man….I ended up getting cut two or three days later.”
      After the Jets dropped him early in the fall of 2006 Lawton thought football was finally over for him. But then came a fortuitous phone call from the Indianapolis Colts. By that October Lawton was in the huddle with Peyton Manning and was the lead blocker for former LSU running back Joseph Adai.
      “Peyton Manning is one of the great players of all time because he is very, very smart. He does the little things right all the time. There are two Peyton Mannings. The Manning in the huddle acts like your Dad, telling you how to block a linebacker…like he’s played fullback before.   Outside the huddle he’s a great guy to have a beer with because he is flat out hilarious. My time with Peyton was great,” Lawton reflected.
       Great is an understatement as Lawton’s lucky phone call from the Colts meant he hitched his wagon to a Super Bowl winning team that year. Manning won his first Super Bowl in rain soaked Miami, head coach Tony Dungy became the first African American head coach to win a Super Bowl and Lawton got what Hall of Famers like Dan Marino doesn’t have and that’s a Super Bowl ring.
       Despite not playing a single down in the game Lawton did his part and has the jewelry and those unbelievable memories. “We were rock stars down there. It was pretty awesome.   I vowed to go back and really play. It’s fantastic. I met a lot of celebrities and was treated like a king. After the game I was just looking around. It doesn’t hit you until it’s over and I was flashing back to when I was 9 years old year playing at Clark Field in Lafayette with all the pot holes and just dreaming of playing in the Super Bowl. It was an awesome time.”

    Two seasons in Indianapolis (2006 & 2007) resulted in a Super Bowl ring (he keeps it well hidden in an undisclosed location)and having played with a certain Hall of Famer in Manning. But I got the sense Lawton was most affected by his time around the intensely spiritual and faith based Dungy. Now Lawton freely uses words like “blessed” , “humbled” and “respect”.    That’s the direct impact of the quiet strength of Dungy, who has overcome the tragic loss of a son to suicide, and has openly healed his family through his belief and faith in Jesus Christ.
      “Dungy is a fantastic man. I loved playing for him. He just made you want to play hard for him. Never raised his voice. Never. Never. He treats you like a man. You find yourself just wanting to win for the guy. I will always cherish my time playing for him,” stressed Lawton.
      Before the 2008 season the Colts traded Lawton (it’s still a business) to the Eagles which then opened the door for him to eventually land in Oakland where he was reunited with former McNeese Cowboys receivers coach Adam Henry who is now the Raiders’ tight ends coach.   If you are keeping track that’s five years in the NFL and five different teams. So it goes for an undrafted, free agent, mostly reserve/special teams support player like Lawton.   Over his five plus seasons he has learned that the business of pro football is run by the men in suits who Lawton says don’t always have a clue about what they are doing.
        “Many times the front office guys or scouts didn’t let the coaches know I was released. The coaches would say …”what are you doing when I would hand them my playbook. These decisions are made by a lot of guys (executives) that don’t know what they are doing. They have all the measureables….size, speed, height, 40 times , how many times you can bench press. But they can’t measure heart and toughness,” revealed Lawton.
        “My greatest strength and also my greatest weakness is that I always believed in myself to do things at a high level. That’s why I have hung around this long because I’m hard headed. I have all the physical tools just not all the hype of players who come from the D-1 schools.”
        Lawton came to 1-AA McNeese from St. Thomas More High School in Lafayette.   The son of Bill Lawton and Mauri Sargent now divorced. Luke quickly explains he is not part of the well known and well heeled Lawton family of Calcasieu Parish. He says they are the “poor Lawtons from Lafayette”. His Dad now resides in Houston while Mom still lives in Lafayette.
      Luke says the most fun he has had playing football was with the Cowboys in “the hole” gesturing over his right shoulder. He was a four year starter at fullback and the only record Lawton pops up on in the annals McNeese football is total career touchdowns scored with 31 tying him for fourth place with former running back Jessie Burton on the all time list. A pretty solid number for a bruising fullback who thought of himself more as a runner than a blocker. “I’m a much better blocker now. I love to block now.   That’s all I do and if I didn’t I won’t be on the field. I can still catch and I’m good at pass protection. At McNeese I couldn’t block hardly anybody.”

      But those drills and techniques he did not absorb at McNeese has sunk in over his years in the league.    Lawton admits he could be a coach now because of all the football he has learned since being in the NFL. His statement, “ I didn’t know anything about football until I got into the NFL” is not a knock against his college or high school coaches. He says it’s just the increased level of knowledge and position specialization the NFL expects from those 5 inch thick playbooks. “There’s definitely a learning curve in the NFL. It took me two years to get use to the speed. You don’t have time to think you just react. What separates the NFL from college is the talent level is so close. Every team has about the same amount of talent. What separates who makes it in the pros is the guy who is smart and can adapt.”
      I think Lawton should have adaptation down to an art form. Think about the teams he has been around. The small market and overlooked Bills in Buffalo. The mega bright lights of the New York Giants and Jets in the largest city in the country. Then to the Midwest and the Heartland of Indianapolis with the straight laced Dungy and Manning. And now in the land of the NFL’s black sheep, the Oakland Raiders, owned and managed by pro football icon and sometimes outcast Al Davis.   Home of the crazed Black and Silver Raider Nation fan base.
     Lawton, once an admitted “free spirit” while at McNeese, has traded in his past unpredictability for a more workmanlike nature and found a niche by the Bay. “I absolutely love the Raiders. I had a buzz cut when I came over and I haven’t cut my hair since. Kind of like paying homage to those old Raiders who had the long hair. It’s a good fit for me. The Raiders do there own thing out here.   Raider Nation is everywhere. The fans are great and I feel so blessed to be a part of this organization.”
       The 28 year old Lawton is one of five former McNeese players currently on an NFL active roster as training camps are officially underway. Ironically Lawton is the most unheralded of the ex Cowboys but the only one listed as a starter. The group includes recently drafted receiver Quinten Lawrence of the Kansas City Chiefs, defensive end Bryan Smith in Philadelphia, cornerback Keith Smith with the Detroit Lions and defensive back Darrick Brown also on the Raiders roster.
       One truism about the NFL has lasted the test of time and that is you have to be at the right place, with the right team and the right time to have a shot in the pros. You can be a former collegiate All American or even a Heisman Trophy winner and not make a team if you are not the right player for their exact needs. “Timing is everything,” says Lawton. “It just so happens the Raiders have a zone blocking scheme. Ten years ago they had a power scheme. I never would have fit there. You have to find a place that you fit. So timing is absolutely everything.”
      Oakland head coach Tom Cable, entering his first full season at the helm, is a former offensive line coach who wants to run the ball. Lawton describes the Raiders’ trio of running backs as “super talented” headed by Darren McFadden (ex Arkansas superstar), Justin Fargas and Michael Bush. Lawton doesn’t expect to get many carries but that’s OK because he knows his role is to be the lead blocker. He will have added competition at the fullback slot this camp as Oakland signed veteran Lorenzo Neal from Baltimore.   “He played a lot of years with the Saints. He might be 39 or 40 years old but still a great player. I can’t worry about Neal. Just worry about me and playing my game, “ Lawton pointed out.
      He has also seen what many NFL pundits would say is the slow progress of former LSU quarterback and 2006 top draft pick JaMarcus Russell.   “He’s got an unbelievable arm. He broke my finger on a 5 yard check down pass last year. He’s got the arm if he ever decides he wants to be one of the best quarterbacks in the game he will have to buckle down and do the little things like Peyton Manning that nobody else does and if he (Russell) does that he can be great.”
      Lawton knows of what he speaks. He saw first hand in Indy as Manning was the first to arrive at work and the last to leave. Outlasting some coaches who put in 18 hour days. Manning’s marathon hours in the film room are legendary says Lawton and his attention to detail on the field meant the difference between winning and losing.
     If you listen to Lawton’s appraisal of Oakland’s overall talent you would think the Raiders are Super Bowl contenders this year. So why a 5-11 finish in 2008 and not 11-5.
     “You can’t measure heart. You can have the most talented people in the world that doesn’t mean they are tough and they will be there busting there butts 80 plays a game. That may be where we (Raiders) are lacking.”
      From Lawton’s limited vantage point the Raiders are not lacking in front office smarts and leadership. That leads us to iconic owner Al Davis who Lawton describes as “sharp as a tack” and is nothing like he is portrayed by the national media. “If there is one thing he is not is feeble minded. He has forgotten more football than I will ever know. He knows more about me than probably my Mom. I’ve never really met an owner before but he talked with me several times in the weight room. Super cool guy that treats his players like kings.”
      The Raider mystique is evident from the front door and through out the silver and black confines in Oakland. Super Bowl trophies are displayed, photos of past Raider greats and a huge sign that reads…”Team of the Decades”. Lawton says Davis constantly has ex Raider players and coaches around to remind them of past greatness and what it takes to win a championship.
       The Raiders posted their biggest win of last season in the final game upsetting the Bucs in Tampa Bay 31-24 knocking the home team out of the playoffs. It was one of the season’s most shocking outcomes as the favored Buccaneers needed only a victory over Oakland to earn a playoff spot. “I think the Bucs went in overlooking us. You can’t do that in this league. We just shoved it down there throats the whole game. I played like 60 plays and had a huge headache. I was so tired, my vision was blurred and I just recall running into linebacker Derrick Brooks all game.”
       A few weeks later during the off season Tampa Bay fired veteran head coach Jon Gruden who Lawton resembles so much his Mom calls him “Chuckie”. (Gruden’s nickname)
      The 6 foot 240 pound Lawton has been able to answer the call to action wherever he has landed over his five nomadic seasons in the NFL. He has stayed clear of serious injury while admitting to playing with concussions twice and was forced to receive pain killing shots to his injured foot before every game last season. He has since had off season surgery to repair the injury.
    “ I think it’s the hand of God and my Mom’s prayers that are protecting me. I’ve seen a lot of guys in my situation a lot more talented than me….bigger, faster, freaks of nature….but they wear down. They are like Corvettes. They hit a pothole and it throws their alignment off. I’m like a F-150 truck. I keep finding a way to keep going,” Lawton chuckled.
     The engaged and soon to be married Lawton still makes his off season home in Lake Charles because “the people here treat me like family.” He thought about moving to Oakland where “it’s 70 degrees and always sunny” but something always brings him back here he says.
     He is one full semester short of earning a Marketing degree from McNeese but doesn’t know if and when he will finish. “School’s never been my thing but I will probably end up finishing because my Mom wants me to. Maybe I can get an honorary degree what do you think, “ as he laughs and flashes a big smile.
      The former Cowboy with the cool name and surfer blond hair has fought his way through the mine field of rejection that is the NFL. Lawton has done so on true grit, guts and fortitude along with an admitted limited skill set. His motivation is deep rooted and serves him well especially during training camp as he fights to prove he still belongs with the NFL’s elite. “People telling me I couldn’t. Doubters telling me I couldn’t. That was always my driving force. I think of my whole life….the years of working. The Super Bowl was like a culmination of it. I feel so blessed and humbled to be able to chase my dreams and succeed at it.”
      “Now I am just trying to be a good role model for kids. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s not possible. You can do anything you want it life.”
       Sounds like a great start to a campaign speech that may just put him in the Governor’s mansion in 20 years.

It took three and a half years, three hurricanes, beaurecratic and construction delays but Mallard Cove golf course will soon unveiled its long awaited new clubhouse. The 11,000 plus square foot facility is schedule to open July 15th and for the course staff and the many area golfers who frequent the Cove the opening can’t come soon enough.

It’s been a long three plus years operating out of crowded and cramped temporary trailers as Mallard Cove head golf professional and manager Derek Smith and his staff has worked hard to make the best of a bad situation. “The sense of relief hasn’t come yet. The course will close July 13 and 14th so we can move from the temporary buildings to the new building. Phones, computers, cash registers, coolers, fridges and freezers will have to be moved. There are a lot of variables involved in the closing and moving so that’s why I say the relief isn’t here yet, “ Smith admits.

But it’s a whole lot better since those dark days after Hurricane Rita ravaged the course and the old clubhouse back in September of 2005. The golf course weathered the storm’s damaging winds fairly well considering but the clubhouse was damaged beyond repair. The building sat dormant for many months as the long and tedious process of dealing with insurance, FEMA and construction plans dragged on. Smith and his crew got the course back open for play and the city set up three trailers that housed the snack bar, pro shop and business offices. It was a challenge and a defining moment in Smith’s professional career.

“No doubt about it (toughest challenge he has faced). When I came to Lake Charles I didn’t sign up for three hurricanes in three years. Hurricane Rita was a challenge but I didn’t mind it as I took it in stride. There was work to be done and we had to determine the best way to do the things to get the course open again,” recalls Smith.

More grueling and tiresome than cutting downed trees or installing the course’s new irrigation system was dealing with the monolithic bureaucracy that is FEMA. Smith says FEMA declared that the old structure was repairable and initially allocated $22,000 in federal relief funds. The city set forth an appeal to FEMA and after six months of paperwork was successful in getting the agency to “reclassify” the project as a total loss that coincided with the insurance claim. Mallard Cove was granted $900,000 in FEMA money, along with the $375,000 from insurance (seems mighty low).

According to Smith the city will pay approximately $525,000 in construction costs on a project that will total a bit over $1.7 million dollars. He says even thou the building’s completion date is some three months behind schedule (March 12th was original deadline) the project’s budget has stayed close to initial estimates with only about $25,000 in changed orders. Smith says that’s “pretty good for a building project of this magnitude”.

“Mayor Randy Roach, his office and the city council has been very supportive. When it comes to capitol projects at the course I’ve never been questioned in a negative way. The mayor has been supportive in making this a top notch facility.”

Obviously the city owned and operated golf course needed a new clubhouse. Temporary trailers are meant to be just that….temporary. But in these lean and difficult economic times when budgets are tight and public monies are scarce some may question spending $1.7 million on a new clubhouse twice the size of the old facility. Smith feels the $500,000 the city is spending on the project is a wise investment which will keep Mallard Cove competitive with other area golf operations. Without it the course would fall further behind the likes of Gray Plantation, Kosati Pines (Coushatta Casino), Contraband Bayou at LauBerge Du Lac and the new soon to be open course in Westlake.

“I definitely think we lost rounds of golf with all the temporary buildings. Despite how good the course is and the right price, there is still another element to a round of golf. We haven’t had a facility for three and a half years where people can finish play and meet on a social level. That has kept some people away,” acknowledged Smith.

Mallard Cove, considered one of the top municipal courses in the state before Hurricane Rita blew through, operates with what Smith calls an “enterprise fund” within the city’s financial structure. In short its operating budget must be paid with operating revenues. Mallard’s cash registers must ring enough to cover day to day expenses says Smith and sometimes those registers aren’t active enough.

“Probably the biggest golf myth in Lake Charles is that Mallard makes money. I have golfers all the time tell me the course makes money. It does not. This golf course can break even and cover its expenses,” noted Smith.

The veteran golf pro says the golf industry and the number of players have declined since 9-11-2001. The world changed that day and Smith feels it changed the business of golf as well. He feels there is an overabundance of golf courses in the country and Southwest Louisiana may soon reach that level. “In the area I don’t think we are necessarily over built with courses but I think we are very close. The new course in Westlake may tip that scale a little bit. For 2009 we have been very, very busy though probably the busiest we’ve been since I started working here.”

Despite the meager amenities Mallard Cove continues to attract the well heeled players and budget conscious golfers alike. According to Smith if the activity continues to grow the course will break even or maybe “make a little money” this year. The Cove averages around 34,000 rounds of golf which is a lot of play for some courses but because of it’s low rates Smith says Mallard needs around 37,000 rounds per year in hopes of keeping the fees low compared to other facilities that charge more.

There are no planned increases for green fees or cart rentals which are some of the lowest in the region for a well maintained public course.

Area golfers have seen Mallard’s new clubhouse slowly rise from the same location as the previous building. After fifteen months of construction there only remains some finishing touches to the interior and completion of the landscaping. If you haven’t already peeked inside its large entry doors you are in for a nice treat.

The exterior is composed of classic brown brick with large white columns surrounded by ample windows. One of the first things you noticed is the Southern vintage, large wrap around porch which will offer excellent viewing of the first and 10th tee box along with approach shots coming into the 18th finishing hole. If you enter from the front staircase it takes you into a spacious seating area that will house numerous tables for dining. The new grill has a 20 foot counter; large enough to accommodate an expanded and upgraded menu. Smith promises a fine dining type setting but with a sports bar atmosphere.

The large entry room includes what appears to be a gas fireplace surrounded by a two sided glass enclosed trophy case. This section of the clubhouse is fully carpeted topped with recessed ceilings and impressive crown molding. The back entry opens up with a large chandileer and a natural stone tile floor. The men’s and women’s locker rooms both have the same tile flooring with rows of private lockers and shower facilities. The men’s main locker room also includes a large card room that can easily hold two to three tables.

A large wooden staircase leads you to the second level where the business offices are located. You will past up several nine foot oak doors that enhances the clubhouse’s old Southern charm.

The pro shop promises to be one of the area’s largest and most appealing. Located just off the main dining area, the pro shop must be nearly 1000 square feet of wall to wall carpet, crown molding, track lighting, wall racks for merchandise and antique styled display tables.

Inside and out the new Mallard Cove clubhouse will surely raise some eyebrows with a heavy dose of the wow factor. “This building is a grand structure for a city operation. This clubhouse will match any other clubhouse facility in Southwest Louisiana because the same arthitect who designed the clubhouse at Kosati Pines did the work on ours so you will see some similarities,” Smith gushed.

I wonder if Smith and his staff are planning on training Mallard Cove’s many ducks , who called the course home, to do a late afternoon porch walk like their feathered friends at the historic Peabody Hotel in Memphis. Now that would be a nice finishing touch.

July 15th is the day the doors open to Mallard Cove’s long awaited new clubhouse which could very well be the best thing to come from Hurricane Rita’s wrath.

Click on the

logos to visit

our partners

Sound Off 60 friends

Questions & Answers with Rick Sarro

BY RICK SARRO