WHO WILL GET THE GUARD?

CBS 42 and Dunaway and Brown first reported Tuesday that Parker Guard Eric Bledsoe still has some interest in Memphis despite the departure of John Calipari.

Sources tell us that Bledsoe is scheduled to visit Memphis this Thursday.

Alabama's Anthony Grant, Calipari at Kentucky, UAB and others are still trying to sign the guard from the Birmingham High School. One source says grades may still be a major hurdle but if he qualifies, Bledsoe could play this season.

TV, RADIO IS ALL ABOUT "THE SPLASH"

The New York Times gives us this Tuesday morning: Fox and MSNBC surge in ratings because of their decision to "pound away at the poles" in politics. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/27/business/media/27cnn.html?8dpc

Sports coverage is no different.

Listen to talk radio any day, and it's all about the extreme.

Real opinions have been replaced by "extreme" statements and story lines that seem to be huge for four hours (maybe a week) and then fade into nothing, never amounting to anything.

Hey, I'm as a guilty as anyone. I've hosted the Alabama Football Show for 5 of the last 7 years. Surely there is an Alabama fan or ten that likes my radio show or TV sportscast more because I stand next to Coach Saban 14 times a year on his coaches show.

Here's where I try to be different. If I don't really believe it, I don't say it.

Shocking, I know.

There are times we get beat on stories and times we are wrong, but we are never wrong for ratings or phone calls.

Would our jobs be easier if we picked Nick Saban's every comment to pieces? You bet.

Would I need to know things about the other 10 SEC schools if I just bashed Gene Chizik every day to get Auburn fans mad enough to call? (Show prep would be easier)

As a conservative southerner, it's hard for me to really believe CNN is playing it down the middle, but I admire the attempt.

I admire strong, controversial opinions, but only if they are real feelings and not some fabricated attempt to try and get you to call the show.

My fear is this, you want to be played.

You want the host to say bad things about your team one day and your rival the next because it somehow makes life more exciting for you.

Much like the millions of WWE fans over the years who bought tickets to see Wrestle-Mania, even though they knew it was scripted. You tune in knowing it's all an orchestrated series of calls, comments, and make believe.

Don't feel shame. I used to cheer for the Washington Generals.

Just remember us when someone pulls the mask off Tommy Gallion, or stops hitting Andre Smith over the head with a metal folding chair. Don't forget to check in with us during commercial breaks between Tommy Tuberville taking the Texas A&M job and Nick Saban's handlers censoring questions he is asked by the media like he's coaching football in Bryant-Stalin Stadium outside the Kremlin.

Just remember those of us not screaming about Global Warming or Tea Parties.

We'll be here. Everyday, 2-to-6pm, in our own little world.

MIKE McNEIL UPDATE

Reports from Auburn Tuesday night were that Mike McNeil has surgery Tuesday. Doctors put a pin in his leg to help the healing process after Mike suffered what we are told was a complete break of his shin (tibia), about six inches above his ankle. A family friend in Mobile said some of his Auburn teammates visited him at the hospital and that he expects to be in a protective boot for almost 2 months. He does expect to be ready for the start of camp in August.