THIS and that to chew on over lunch: Tiger’s tale no match
for the Bear’s fareTiger Woods' overpowering victory in the Masters last year was certainly thrilling for those who like golf.
But for sheer exhilaration, nothing in golf compares to the final round of the 1986 Masters.
In his younger days, Jack Nicklaus, like Woods today only more so, offered a presence on any given Sunday. If he hadn't already put a stranglehold on a tournament, he was always lurking, a threat to win no matter how far back he started his round.
Players knew that if the Golden Bear had a shot at you, he'd make the most of it. Many cracked under the pressure.
But other than Jack himself, I doubt anyone figured he had much of a chance that day 12 years ago.
When the final round began, Nicklaus was nowhere near the leader board. He was 46 years old and hadn't won a major tournament in nearly six years. Even as he first appeared among the leaders, who could have expected he'd make a charge on the back nine that no doubt still echos through the dogwoods?
Augusta National traditionally is reserved, even reverent. But as Nicklaus rolled in his putt on the 18th green, the place was roaring.
Fortunately, I have that round on videotape. Even 12 years later, it gives me chicken skin watching Nicklaus walk up the final fairway.
Tiger? His was a truly masterful victory, stunning in its dominance.
But nothing in golf will ever top the day that Jack came back to win the Masters.
I know it's only April and most of the new impact players on the Rainbow football team won't block or tackle anybody in the name of Fred vonAppen until August, but I'm pretty excited about next season.
My first reaction upon hearing that Don Lindsey would move from defensive to offensive coordinator was an emphatic, "Yes!"
I must confess, I don't have much time for fancy plays, complex offensive schemes and quarterbacks better suited for the dance floor than the football field. If quarterbacks want to pussyfoot around and not hit anybody, or take a hit themselves, they should wear skirts.
There's nothing better than slamming the fullback inside for 6 yards on first down.
West Coast offense? I'll take a toss sweep with a couple of big uglies bearing down on the nearest linebacker -- or even better, a corner or safety -- any day, especially on Saturday.
As a former offensive lineman, I know there's nothing more fun than lining up and running the ball down the other team's throat.
That's the kind of thing that gets a team jacked up so high it seems you can do no wrong. And it sucks the will straight out of your opponent.
The Rainbows have had trouble running the ball since vonAppen came aboard two seasons ago. And when your team can't run the ball effectively, passing it is hopeless unless you have far better athletes than your opponent at the so-called skill positions. And UH hasn't had that, either.
Obviously, vonAppen has seen enough of that, uh, stuff. So it's not surprising that the Rainbow staff recruited the types of players they did this season -- you'll see, come August.
They signed two versatile quarterbacks and a couple running backs who can get outside in a hurry. But more important, remember the names of these offensive linemen: Kynan Forney, Doug Gosling and Dustin Owen, the latter of whom is 6-foot-3, 335 pounds.
I got so fired up watching tape of Owen two weeks ago at a football breakfast I wanted to lay a block on somebody.
But the guy sitting across the table from me was Sam Collins, so I thought better of it.
I didn't want to end up getting munched like so much corned beef hash on the big guy's plate.
