Let Me Answer That for Chris

This isn't meant to be a vitriol on Mack Brown nor is it meant to be an apologia for Chris Simms, but that was the stupidest thing I've ever heard an adult say.

If you're struggling for context, continue. After suffering another humiliating loss against the Sooners, a reporter asked UT's quarterback, Simms, if he put too much pressure on himself for this one game. Before words could leave his mouth, his coach, Brown, interrupted. "Let me answer that for Chris," he said. He gave some glib response only for the reporter to remind Coach Brown that the question was intended for the quarterback, not his coach. "That was his response," Coach tersely replied.

This quote has been in my head all day as today is Texas' annual media day. Media day comes on the heels of the first pre-season polls and is used as a chance to parade the team leaders and to talk about the upcoming season.

I'm a huge nut for college sports but will watch almost anything if the uniform is burnt orange. If you live in Wimberley, you have to travel to San Antonio to catch a pro basketball game, to Arlington/Dallas or Houston to watch a pro baseball or football game. Then shell out a good down payment for tickets, a nice small loan for a dog and beverage, and take on a second mortgage for any team paraphernalia (which has a very interesting etymology, by the way, as I found when I consulted my handy on-line dictionary). So I grew up on hotdogs, sodas, and Longhorn athletics.

Well, Simms has left to bigger pastures and Mack sleeps like a baby when he thinks about high noon on October 8, 2005. He wakes up and cries every few hours.

If you're asking yourself if this is the Year of Redemption, let me answer that for Mack.

Not impossible, but improbable.

Jenny and Lance, I'll be there by kick-off. I'm still not allowed to watch the game at my own house.