Super Bowl Update

Our Hero, Rafael Nadal, will be playing in his second Australian Open Final after beating Greatest Rival of All Time Roger Federer 6-7 (5), 6-2, 7-6 (5), 6-4. It was a hard fought and convincing victory. Federer had been playing at an amazing high level and had not lost a match since his semi-final in the US Open back in September. Rafa found a way to get the job done. He has been physically fit and mentally strong. I'm so happy for him that he's gotten back to this place so early in the season.

Of course, the guy he'll face on the other side of the net is stinky ol' Djokovic who just refuses to lose ever. Ugh, how I'd ever so hoped it would be Murray instead! Murray had a 2 sets to 1 lead but just couldn't get it done. Rafa has now lost 6 straight finals to Novak. It would be so great to put last season behind us, and start 2012 by breaking the streak. Is it possible? Yes. Rafa is playing well enough. Djokovic does not seem invulnerable this tournament. But will it happen? I don't know. I'm nervous. I also gave the edge to Federer in the semis though, so goes to show what I know.

I am pretty sure the Final starts at like 3am tonight EST, and I won't be up to watch it. I just can't throw off my sleep schedule that much, even for Rafa. I'll go to bed wearing one of my Nadal t-shirts and say my prayers (not that I think God is seriously paying attention to a tennis match!) and hopefully I'll wake up and see that Rafa secured an easy three set victory! That's probably the least likely of all outcomes, but this Final does have the feel to it like anything could happen. Whatever the score, I'm hoping that my final Aussie Open blogpost will feature a picture of Rafa biting into the Championship Trophy. We're almost there! VAMOS!!!!

Fox Broadcasting video: TOUCH - Father and Son. January 27, 2012.
http://youtu.be/7Sox4gYi6HQ





Kiefer Sutherland on Jimmy Kimmel Live PART 1. January 23, 2012.

http://youtu.be/HSKdVeW_83k





Kiefer Sutherland on Jimmy Kimmel Live PART 2. January 23, 2012.

http://youtu.be/RsUuHI4ZskM







Kiefer Sutherland on Jimmy Kimmel Live PART 3. January 23, 2012.

http://youtu.be/TWrFoY--de0

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Over the past few weeks, many well-informed observers of the Broward political and govt. scene have surely asked others they trust in private, "What is it with Gary Resnick?"

Alternatively, they've asked themselves, "WTF is with Resnick?"



Those of you reading this today obviously know which camp you're in, though you can be in both, of course.

Like me.



Does Resnick

Back to the hotel in time to do a little research. If you ever go to Philadelphia, go to Penn's campus and check out Franklin Field and the Palestra. Neat, historical places. This is Troy's unofficial list of official visitors.

**Zach Camp, an ATH from Yulee, Fla. Rivals.com profile HERE.

**Percy Griffin IV, an OL from Godby High School in Tallahassee, Fla., listed as a verbal to Savannah State, rivals.com profile HERE.

**Anthony Wilson, a DE/OLB from Jones County JC in Mississippi, scout.com profile HERE.

**Derrek Upshaw, a DL from Jones County JC. Scout.com profile HERE.

**Jamal Stadom, a DE from Melbourne (Fla.) High School. Rivals.com profile HERE.

**Xavier Melton, a big DT from Butler County (Kan.) CC. Scout.com profile HERE.

POLITICO video: Jim Vandehei on the anti-Newt attacks. January 27, 2012
http://bcove.me/nx4mo74a

Jeffrey Lord dissects a Romney hit-job on Gingrich: Elliot Abrams' revisionist hit-job in NRO is debunked by simple facts the MSM didn't care about

Glad to see that at least someone in this country is doing their homework and fact-checking the "facts." Especially the "

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Elvis stands at attention for the Marines. Photo courtesy of Paul Oberle

Troy lost at MTSU, 71-58, on Thursday night. No shame in that, as MTSU has the best team in the league in a long time. However, I am sure they would love to have most of those 17 turnovers back and maybe it would have been a different game. Box score HERE. Troy is at South Alabama on Sunday night. I have no idea why that game is on Sunday night.

Troy had its draft for the 2012 Trojan Challenge, the offseason program the team always goes through where it divides up into about 10 or 12 teams. Not sure who the captains were - maybe it was the first round picks - but it's pretty telling that those first guys picked are among the guys who do things the right way in every facet, and a telling quote from Jeff Beckles about guys who get drafted in the later rounds. Obviously, the round-by-round list wasn't posted.

Baseball-wise, Troy opens spring practice today and starts the season in three weeks. I wrote THIS STORY on returning All-Americans Tyler Ray and Tyler Hannah.

I thought both would get drafted last year - maybe not early enough to bypass their senior years - but both should have gotten picked. However, from talking to both, it's pretty clear that Troy is where they wanted to be this year. Both guys used the word "blessing in disguise" in response to not getting picked, and both are excited and focused on the season ahead.

Scroll one post below for a short preview on the biggest need for the three weeks of spring practice.

***I will be out of pocket this weekend. Birthday is coming up, so it's a weekend to get away and see some basketball games far, far away. Can't guarantee that I'll be able to post a visit list, but there should be some visitors. However, Troy's about full, so I doubt there will be many new commitment names between now and Signing Day. I'll get back on the recruiting grind and check on that either Sunday night or Monday morning.