New and improved

Upon finding out that our former editor hadn't written his blog in over a month, all the while insisting that ours be up every Monday, Gravette and I were furious. Well, he gone, but the blog marches on under new management.

Should LaPlante be brought back?
Gravette: I honestly think that LaPlante should be offered another contract. In his seven years at JSU, he has definitely proved that he can recruit. If he brings in another Nick Murphy, the Gamecocks could be very dangerous next season.
Yes, JSU was pretty bad this year, but the team was very young. The loss of Dorian Brown also hurt. Without Brown, the Gamecocks lost a lot of experience and senior leadership. I think JSU proved that they can compete late in the season, winning three of their last five games. LaPlante deserves one more season to turn this ship around.

Staubs: That sounds pretty familiar. As I've said all along, I would have had no problem at all with LaPlante being fired after last year. If the team doesn't make the conference tournament next year, whoever is coach should be fired. But this year, the team was never going to win 10 games.
If MLP comes back next season, I expect a 15-20 win season. We'll find out shortly whether he is staying or not (I'm afraid the answer will be not), but I feel that letting him go after this season would be comically bad timing.

Who has been the biggest NFL free agent signee?
Staubs: I really haven't been keeping up with it that much. I really like the Bills acquisition of Marcus Stroud and the Saints' acquisition of Jonathan Vilma, but those came via trade.
I guess, I would have to say the Bucs getting Jeff Faine to be their new center. That was a position that just killed them last year, and it was the major reason the Giants were able to upset them in the first round.
I think the Asante Samuel deal was the latest in a long line of mistakes by Philly. Samuel became overrated because of the system in which he played (remember, Troy Brown looked good as a DB in New England). The biggest signing will be Nnamdi Asomugha. No one knows him because he played in football purgatory in Oakland, but that guy is incredible.

Gravette: In my opinion, it’s the Falcons signing of Michael Turner. He hasn’t got a lot of playing time over the last four years behind LT but proved he could be very dangerous with the ball in his hands. He averaged 4.5 yards per carry last year. Warrick Dunn is old and Jerious Norwood is not an every down back. It’s Turner’s job now.
If the Falcons can draft a good quarterback, things could be looking bright in Atlanta.

What is your favorite sports movie?
Gravette: I love Varsity Blues. I’ve watched it at least 10 times and it never gets old. It’s not your typical underdog story, but who cares. It’s great.

Staubs: You know the saying, "There are no wrong answers"? That doesn't apply here. Good Lord man, Varsity Blues?
For me, it depends on what you consider a sport. Rounders is my favorite movie, and some people consider it a sports movie, but poker isn't a sport. The Color of Money would be my second choice in the category, and most everyone considers it a sports movie, but still ...
Among movies dealing with true sports, I'd have to say it's either Caddyshack or Hoosiers. Both deliver on multiple levels.