Jay Greeson: 5-at-10: Friday mailbag loaded with side questions, baseball labor update, Falcons failing, Kirby's future

Jan. 21—Let's handle our daily chores first. (Side question: Do you still call them chores or is that a dated term?)

(Side question about the side question: What's our record for number of side questions, and can we get there today?)

First some TFP breaking news from in my view the sports media world's all-time best high school sports beat reporter, TFP sports editor Stephen Hargis. (Side question: If you think you know someone with better sources than Stephen does on the prep scene locally, well, you need to rethink that. Wait, was that a question? Whew, that last one was a question though. Good. Because as Elwood Blues said, "We're on a mission from God.")

Anywell, here's Hargis with the skinny on CCS football coach Mark Mariakis becoming the former CCS football coach. Couple of things: First, this will be a fun search because few schools have ponied up the resources as much recently to become good at football like CCS has in the last decade or so. Second, this will be a highly coveted gig for a lot of reasons. (Side question: Wanna guess who will have the story first on the next hire? My money's on Hargis.)

Second, there are a few people on this planet who the best way I know to describe them is this way. If you have a problem with them, then that is almost certainly a you problem, because these people are that level of genuinely kind. Mark Mariakis is one of those folks, and if you could find someone who has an issue with Coach Mariakis, it's most likely a them problem.

To keep following the rules, here's Paschall on a UT transfer portal get that has changed his mind and become a UT transfer portal get. (Side question: Confused? Don't be. Read Paschall's prose.)

Finally here's today's A2 offering from some fat-faced fella. (Side question: Does this suit make me look fat? No, your face does. Without scanning the interwebs, do you know that movie quote?)

To the Rushmores.

Rushmore of actors who had great big-screen success before becoming TV stars — (Side note on this one before we get going, this is becoming more and more common these days for a lot of reasons, including ease of shooting schedule and as someone mentioned, the wide variety of channels and the improved depth of the TV projects. With that in mind, added weight was given to folks who did it before these culture changes if that makes sense.) Michael J. Fox is on there. Loved the Charlie Sheen suggestion too and he did it before we learned how nuts he is. He edges fellow Brat Packer Rob Lowe who was a contender for this one. Dick Van Dyke and Jackie Gleason are my final two picks, although there were so, so many more than I originally expected.

Rushmore of Dolly — Parton, Hello Dolly, the hand trucks and love the call for the Lama, which like John Coffey from "The Green Mile" has a name that sounds the same, just spelled different is all.

Rushmore of Buzz — Aldrin, buzz cut, a two-beer buzz and Buzz McAllister from "Home Alone." Buzz's girlfriend, though? Woof.

Rushmore of "In Living Color" alums — Jim Carrey, Jennifer Lopez, Jamie Foxx and since we asked about a non-Wayans version Rosie Perez, who was a part-time player and choreographer for J-Lo and the "Fly Girls" dance crew. (Side question: Is there a more annoying celebrity voice than Rosie Perez'? Discuss.)

One more: Rest easy Meat Loaf, and thanks for "Bat Out of Hell" which is a truly great album. (Side question: That Mr. Loaf reached 74 is kind of an upset right?)

To the 'bag.

From JTC

Hi Jay,

What's your take on the baseball lockout? Feels like there will be a delay to the start of spring training. Who wins in this owner vs player cycle? Seems like a bad time to put off your respective fan bases.

JTC —

Great question, and one I could go into great length breaking down. As of right now, though, the lack of meaningful progress makes all of that supposition, sadly.

This has the real look of a long-lasting lockout to me for a few reasons.

Reason 1: The owners more than anything want a salary cap. The players more than anything want to avoid all scenarios with a salary cap.

Reasons 2-thru-200: See Reason 1.

All the other details — universal DH, expanded playoffs, roster sizes, etc. — are big changes to you and me and Johnny Baseball Fans everywhere, but are semantics in this negotiation because of Reason 1.

I concur that it certainly feels like a delay to the season, and by every meaningful report I have seen, a new deal needs to be in place around March 1 or the season will be impacted.

As for which side wins, I think the players will get closer to their way on Reason 1, but both sides will lose if the season is indeed affected. (Side question: Is there a scenario in our society in which we pull for management over labor — side with the billionaires over the millionaires — more consistently than owners vs. players in sports labor discussions? Never really understood that, but that's how it's always been.)

Labor unrest is never a good thing for everyone in the leagues, player or owner. Plus, with dwindling TV numbers across all of baseball and discussions on how to make the game more appealing to younger fans, this is a rotten time for labor strife in baseball.

Plus, with COVID-19 showing a) no signs of going away anytime soon and b) us all there are things we can certainly do without, an extended stretch without baseball — or anything else — would be more "Out of sight outta mind" more than "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" these days.

From Brent R

Dude, thanks so much for the bowl contest. I hate Georgia but they were the best team all year. Is it wrong that I picked a team I hate to win and that was what got me the win?

Love the 5-at-10 J. It's great. Do you ever think about trying to take it somewhere bigger than just Chatt?

And if you have room Friday, with the NFL playoffs going on, is it time to give up on the Falcons? Will my Dirty Birds ever be really good?

Brent —

Congrats on the win. Hope the gift card got there OK.

Nah, the 5-at-10 — as my made friends say, "this thing of ours" — is fine where it is. No way this is a syndicated product. It is what it is — and a lot of that is because of you folks — and that's more than enough for me.

As for the Falcons, my man, I have been wondering this for years.

Side question for the group: Who will win a Super Bowl first, Lions or Falcons? Discuss.

The Matt Ryan has peaked, right? And the holes on the roster are numerous and the cap space minute. That's a dreadful combination.

Are we feeling good that Arthur Smith is the guy to lead this crew? Not overly.

Is there a plan in place? Hopefully.

Are there more questions than answers around this flock? Absolutely.

From Bicycle Bob

Jay,

I learned from (Wednesday's) 5-at-10 that Ron Franklin had passed away. I always enjoyed listening to him call a football game; he had such a good voice: a hint of Southern syrup and Mississippi magnolia (or maybe bourbon and smoke); just enough to put you at ease without getting on your nerves. A Saturday night SEC game called by Mr. Franklin was just about perfect TV.

Speaking of TV, do you watch TrueSouth on the SEC network? The wife and I are hooked on that little show. If you're not familiar with it, it is sort of a cross between Anthony Bourdain and a Southern travelogue through football country. The food aspect alone makes it worth watching (and the Bicycle Bob household is not a snooty cuisine place; more likely to go for barbeque); but also, the commentary about Southern society is spot on. To paraphrase host John T. Edge's comment in a recent episode, the South is where hospitality and hate (as in racial) travel the same highway. And the personalities featured tell a story about generations of people dishing out good food, love and compassion in little dives or hole-in-the-wall eateries. Hope you take in an episode.

BB —

I have not watched "TrueSouth" but love the idea and concept.

Side note: That's a great comment about the South, and it certainly applies to Game Days too. Think how many times you have gone to a road game and the pregame festivities are warm, welcoming and wonderful.

Then kickoff happens and all that flies right out the window.

With the BB clan's double thumbs up, we'll give "TrueSouth" a lap around the DVR.

Side question: What is the best 'snooty' cuisine that is worth the price and hoi polloi? Side question on this side question: "Hoi polloi" is sorely underused, right?

Thanks.

From DougDyer11

Jay- might be a question for mailbag. Kirby Smart. Is there a risk that he could go the way of other Natty winner coaches. i.e. Gene Chizak, Phillip Fulmer, Les Miles, Ed Orgeron, Mack Brown, etc who after they won their Natty in a few years they lost their "fire". As we know it can't be fun begging and kissing the behinds of 16 and 17 year olds. Also in Kirby's case he is going to get a generation-changing new contract $60-$80 million over some term. That is even different than some of the coaches I just named. There is only one Saban who's just wired different. I think Kirby Smart actually has a "life". Now I understand that Georgia recruiting over the last few years has been at an incredible level and if recruiting drops off they could still sustain 2 or 3 years of top 5 team, etc. So could you see Kirby, who was an assistant for a long time, not have that same drive and it's just human nature to ease up, stop and smell the roses, etc? Your thoughts?

DD —

Great question DD. But let's first look at the names you offered.

Chizik got a natty because of Cam Newton. Period. He was in over his head from Day 1 until Day End.

Fulmer was victim of a coup, and had a Saban-lite run from 1992 until the natty in 1998. Mark Richt was 'Fulmered' in a lot of ways, only without the ultimate ring.

Les Miles won a natty because of Saban's talent-stuffed cupboard. Orgeron was Chizik 2.0.

The Mack Brown theory is interesting, and I believe he got tired before missing it and returning to UNC, which has less pressure and a more comfortable vibe than Texas.

Personally, I think Kirby is wired more like Saban than almost anyone else out. And that's a great thing for Johnny and Joanie Bulldogs Fans everywhere. Plus the alma mater thing is another reason to believe Smart may stay motivated.

But this year and the next recruiting cycle or two could add some credence to your theory.

And the money thing is, without question, a huge part of this being distinctly possible, especially since no one wearing a whistle can truly be called the best as long as Saban is holding meetings in T-Town.

Great question.

And have a great weekend friends.