A tale of two cities(This article is somewhat delayed, but have you ever tried to write something -- anything while in the French Quarter?)
Survived. That's the feeling after Luke and I made it through three days and nights in the French Quarter. If you've never been to the Quarter, it's somewhat of a parallel universe, much like Vegas, where there's no concept of time, money flows out of your wallet way too quickly and there don't seem to be any rules.
You've probably heard the stories of Arkansas fans outnumbering Buckeye fans and that was certainly true: probably 2-1, but as a fanbase, you couldn't have asked for a better group of people to talk smack with leading up to the game. The "Wooo, Pig, Sooie..." cheer was annoying at times, sure, but everyone we came across was polite and respectful to a fault it seemed and with both fanbases wearing similar colors, it was hard at times to tell which side someone was for. The tipoff was usually a camo hat, a sleeveless oxford, or the ever-present combo of Bama bangs and Topsiders, but save for those distinguishing marks, Ohioans and Arkansans could be brothers from different mothers.
Some of other selected highlights:
- Witnessing a gaggle of 10-year-old boys posing for a photo in their newly-acquired Larry Flynt Hustler Club hats that had been thrown down from a balcony by a stripper only moments earlier.
- Getting my first sip of absinthe with the Buckeye Sports Bulletin boys at 3am (for $18.50 no less) and subsequently deciding I will never again allow the spirit to come into contact with my lips.
- Finding out that this man was staying at my hotel (and hearing him admit that he was wrong for offering that schollie to Robert Smith instead of me).
- Rolling on Bourbon Street with a mixed posse of OSU/Arkansas fans (with a UGA grad thrown in for good measure) after the win. The leader of our posse, naturally, was the most Arkansas bro in the history of Arkansas bros. <southernManVoice>Ryan Mallett is shit. I'm tellin' ya.</southernManVoice>
- Taking part in my first-ever S-E-C chant inside the Superdome after the Buckeyes had taken a 28-7 second quarter lead. It. Was. Beautiful.
- Finally, witnessing the most batshit insane ending to a football game I will ever likely see in person.
Status check on the Tat Five. All five of the Buckeyes suspended for the first 40% of next season (plus a game, for now) played integral parts in the Sugar Bowl win and national columnists are taking note of that. That's fine. If the shoe were on the other foot and five soon-to-be-suspended players from Arkansas had helped beat the Buckeyes, we'd likely be howling. That's just fandom and it works in funny ways. As to their NFL plans, Boom was adement that he would be returning when asked after the game, and Pryor seemed to echo as much when he mentioned he had a written plan with Tressel. Mike Adams, shortly after dropping an epic F-bomb in front of the camera while the team was at the trophy stage said he planned to be back in 2011, but followed it up with a "we'll see how it goes." If he does leave, I don't think there's any doubt that he'd be a first day pick.
Watch your back, Paul Keels. The sweetest voice not yet on radio has been hanging out near the Hudson St exit of Interstate 71 in Columbus and he's looking for work. His quest should be short-lived as he already has an offer from the Cavs and interest from NFL films.
Big fish. We've known for some time that Akron SVSM corner Doran Grant would be announcing his college choice during tonight's Under Armour All-American game, but it now appears Florida safety Jabari Gorman will be making his decision as well. The 6-0/180 Gorman will be deciding between Ohio State, Florida and Miami. While Florida has been the favorite to land his services for some time, Ohio State has a great shot, so don't be surprised to see him head to Columbus. Grant will be choosing between Ohio State and Michigan State and while his dad played for Sparty, the gravitational pull of the home state behemoth might be too much for Dantonio and crew to overcome. There was a rumor out of Akron a few weeks ago that he was bound for East Lansing, but you can't imagine Michigan State's bowl collapse did them any favors.
