The Big Blue Daily Mail -- Farewell to Steve McNair

Obviously, the biggest story I have not reported on so far has been the apparent murder of former NFL quarterback Steve McNair.  This is obviously a great tragedy and the unfortunate circumstances surrounding McNair's death make it doubly so.

I hope all of you will keep the McNair family in your prayers as they deal with this tragedy.

Now, for the rest of the news:

Top Stories

• McNair's death a sad ending to a special journey
  Indeed.

• McNair Won’t Be Remembered for His Flaws

UK Basketball News

• National Hoops Report: Just a Minute with Jeff Goodman of Fox Sports
  Nice interview with The Loathsome Troll. TLT makes some very good points in this interview, though, although I really hate people that make allegations of cheating in sports and then provide no source for their claims. And then there is this:
  
  Is Calipari and Kentucky the biggest storyline going into this college basketball season?
  
  "No doubt about. Kansas is number one and no one is even talking about Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich coming back to school. All anyone wants to talk about is Kentucky, Calipari and that recruiting class. Obviously Kentucky fans are so rabid and that’s what the majority of the scene is filled with - Kentucky fans. I do think it’s funny how a perception of a coach can change so quickly. They hated John Calipari and I used to get the emails from Kentucky fans saying how much they hated him and how shady they thought he was. They have obviously changed their tune now that he is at Kentucky."
  
  Did you hate Calipari before he came here? If so, and you've changed your tune, a mea culpa is in order, I think.

• Jodie Demling hitting the recruiting trail
  I'm so jealous ...

• A brief history of John Calipari
  Heh.  Very brief.

• What Are Patterson and Orton Doing With Hell's Trainer?
  Blake Griffin would certainly serve as a great role model for any player wanting to maximize his potential at the next level, and if this guy can help you get there, it is no wonder Patterson and Orton are worshiping at his altar.

• Move Over Iverson, There is a New Crossover King
  John Wall breaks a few ankles.

• Who is the very best among the basketball Wildcats?
  Offered without comment.

• John Clay's Big Blue Links.

• CatsPause.com - Lamb talks unofficial visit to Kentucky
  Doron Lamb talks about his recent unofficial visit to UK [subscription]:
  
  "I think Coach Cal is just a good coach," Lamb said. "He makes professionals. And that's what I am trying to be."
  
  I like the sound of that.

UK Football News

• Spread gaining popularity
  Tom Leach points us to a link that suggests the NFL is gaining interest in the spread option offense.

• Locke confident he’ll be back
  I love his determination, and I think he will be back, and help us a lot this year.

• Can Hartline have a "Woodson-like" breakout
  I think not. I like Hartline, he is a serviceable quarterback. But his lack of arm strength and inability to throw the ball deep will prevent him from being "the man" very long. I look for one of the freshmen QB's to challenge him next year for the starting spot.

• Football coaches must adapt to new generation of players
  "They all come in believing they can play as freshmen," Brooks said. "They all come in believing that they're going to play in the NFL. And in reality that ain't going to happen. So dealing with those expectations, I think, takes a little bit more psychology than it used to in coaching."
  
  Gotta love Papa Brooks. He tells it like it is.

• 2009 SEC Football Preview - SEC Football Preview 2009
  In this preview, even Vanderbilt surpasses us. Bogus.

• Seneca QB DaMarcus Smith catching a lot of interest
  Kind of short for a QB in Brooks' system. I suspect he is being recruited more for his athletic ability, perhaps a Cobb-like player.

• Scout.com: Wildcats Have Long Road Ahead
  How do you replace Micah Johnson? No idea. But we do need to shore up the offensive end spot if we can't get guys academics in order.

• Gatorsports.com's 25 best players in the Southeastern Conference
  Some respect for Micah. Well earned.

Other UK Sports News

• UK Places 53 on SEC Spring Academic Honor Roll
  Great to see.

• McGinnis Wins Gold as Member of 4x100 Free Relay
  Congratulations to Eric McGinnis and UK swimming.

NCAA Sports News

• OSU basketball notebook: The good and bad for the Cowboys

Other News of Interest

• VOA News - Tiger Woods Wins AT&T Golf Crown
  He's Baaaack!

• courier-journal.com | Eric Crawford | The Courier-Journal
  Churchill downs drew 33,000+ to "Downs after dark" on Thursday. I was there. I have never, ever seen such a crowd. If they can't figure out how to make money after drawing crowds like that, I can't help them.

• U.S. stays perfect at under-19 worlds
  Darius Miller added little.

The Daily Schadenfreude

• A season of more questions for Hogs 
  Petrino had four good years in sub-par conferences.
  
  The best any of his teams at Louisville would be 7-5 — maybe 8-4 with a break or two — in the SEC. Petrino is still very much unproven in the SEC.
  
  I hope some Louisville fans get to read this.