Kick 'em While They're Down
Posted August 8, 2010, 7:39 PM ET

Things are just starting to warm-up in August.

There was the first sighting of real football, even though it is of the pre-season variety, as the Cowboys and Bengals gave us a mere appetizer in Canton. Even so, it was good to see some guys tackling, blocking and making plays outside of their respective camps.

When you consider the football season is right around the corner, and the fact that NBC has come to their senses by eliminating blowhard Keith Olbermann from their "Football Night in America" broadcasts....you gotta figure things are heading in the right direction.

I had the chance to go down to Spartanburg last week for our yearly Panthers remote radio broadcast, and I was very surprised with the work environment and overall feeling of the team.

I've probably been down to camp for a dozen years, and that was without a doubt that most relaxed I've ever seen the players, coaches and front office executives. Read into it what you want....maybe there's no pressure or expectations, but that's been the case before in Spartanburg.

I interviewed Matt Moore, Steve Smith, Jordan Gross, Jon Beason, Charles Godfrey, Eric Norwood, GM Marty Hurney and even team prez Danny Morrison, and to a man it is the most upbeat and chilled that I've ever seen them.

I even spoke to coach John Fox, who is seemingly heading right into a lame duck year, and he was in great spirits.

I will remind you that none of this means the team will win double-digit games and roar into the playoffs.....nor does it mean that they are going to be a major bust and be hard-pressed to win five games. What it does mean is that the collection of young talent has brought a renewed attitude and energy into Spartanburg.

And this Thursday, those same guys will get a real litmus test to see how they stack up against a real Super Bowl contender, as they take on the Baltimore Ravens in primetime.

It's probably the most anticipated pre-season game that I can remember for the Panthers....and that's saying something, since I seldom watch more than a quarter of August football.

---

Tiger Woods is a hack.

My goodness; his performance in Akron over the weekend was startling. The guy looked like a five handicapper playing from the back tees. His new approach doesn't appear to be paying any dividends, as he played his worst tournament ever as a pro.

That doesn't bode well for the world's number one player (for now), as we head into the final major golf championship of the year this week at Whistling Straits.

What was more comical than watching Woods hack it all over Firestone, was watching and listening to the CBS announcers try to gracefully describe his shoddy golf game. You don't want to piss off Tiger....much less bury him before the network's coverage of the PGA Championship.

As Tiger threw-up all over himself, Phil Mickelson had another golden opportunity to take over as the top player in the world. However, he was as bad as Tiger during the final round, and carded a big, fat 8-over 78 and he also limps into the PGA Championship.

Can anybody hit a fairway and make a putt?

I can't wait to see what these two do this week.

---

The only thing worse than Tiger this week was Tim Tebow's new Friar Tuck haircut.

My God, son...going through life stupid is......You gotta see it for yourself.

Supposedly, Tebow says it has the qualities of the Statue of Liberty.

Yeah...whatever you say, Tim.

I sure hope you play better than you look....but it will bring a smile to your face, when you see the former Gator's hairdo.

---

I hope my San Francisco Giants made it out of ATL in one piece.

The Braves continued to own my guys in Hot-lanta, as they took three of four games in the big showdown series. The Giants were very fortunate not to get swept in the series, as they pulled one out of their you-know-what in game two.

The Braves lead the Phillies by two games, and both teams look like they are ready to be serious playoff contenders. The same holds true in the Central with the Reds and Redbirds....while the West is wide-open with the Pads, Giants, Rockies and Dodgers.

The next two months of the regular season are going to be great. Plus, I'm glad my guys don't see Atlanta again....unless it is in October.

---

The pre-season college football poll was released and the Tide is still #1.

I know Nick Saban stated that this year's team isn't defending anything....and he's right.

I was a bit surprised that Bama is still on top, especially considering the amount of great defensive talent they lost from last year's national title team.

I know Nick can recruit and he can definitely coach 'em up...but something tells me that Bama falls short of the title game this year. I don't like the schedule in which 6 SEC teams get two weeks to prepare to play Bama. That should never happen....much less to a team like Bama. If it was Vandy, we'd all be fine with it.

I'll have more on college football in the weeks to come, and be sure to check out the formal unveiling of the 2010 Southern Fried Football™ Tour and website coming up on August 19th. That will also be the day of our SFF Radio Show, which will air live from 7-8pm on most of the same PrimeTime Radio Network stations.