The Truth of the Matter

by Peter Bean on Jun 4, 2006 7:51 PM CDT in News

Baseball is done. Cat's -career- is done. Football is news-less for a while now. And hoops is in full hibernation. That begs an obvious question for a Texas Longhorns fan site: what're we gonna do for the next three months?

I've been kicking around a bunch of ideas for how to keep the content fresh and interesting. A few things I'm certain we'll be offering regularly:

*Outside voices on topics of interest. We brought in Chip Brown and Kirk Bohls, and we have several other interesting (and big) names lined up for the near future.

*Guest articles from fellow bloggers. Of particular interest to me right now is getting a perspective from the folks at Georgia and Tennessee on the topic of playing two quarterbacks. Keep your eye out for that.

Beyond chatting about obvious stories of local and national interest, though, I'm undecided on what kind of content might be enjoyable for you guys. I'd certainly appreciate any input and suggestions on what you'd like to see.

One idea I'm particularly enthusiastic about, but would want to gage others' reaction about is a Burnt Orange Nation Book Club for the summer. We'd take 2-4 books, buy them, discuss them. Clearly, it wouldn't be like Oprah's book club. We won't try to empower ourselves, or learn how to become more functional members of society. Mostly, we'd just indulge our pleasures. Yeah: sports books. I just bought Friday Night Lights, and if others wanted to read along with me (or re-read it for the many of you who already have), I think it would be a lot of fun. I've managed to avoid the movie so far, so that's good. Also, any fellow bloggers that are reading this that might be interested, email me and we can discuss a way to do this collaboratively, with all our readers.

Any and all site content suggestions are welcomed. I've said over and over that this site's, and by extension, SBN's, quality, is due to the format for community building and reader participation. Now, more than ever, I look forward to your thoughts.

Thanks in advance.

--PB--

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Comments

Well, there is the World Cup

Remember that sport we can only stand to watch for one month every four years?

That should pass the time until NCAA Football 07 is released.

by ImBobbo on Jun 4, 2006 8:51 PM CDT reply actions

Very true

We'll certainly offer up some Cup coverage.

by Peter Bean on Jun 4, 2006 8:56 PM CDT up reply actions

I'll be piping up

about the copa mundial here and there. My early prediction: Brazil takes the cup, barely beating an inspirational Ivory Coast. Other quaterfinalists: France $ Argentina.

Geermany and Italy also contenders...who knows?

by burntorangenance on Jun 4, 2006 9:47 PM CDT up reply actions

FNL

is a pretty good book if you were involved in HS football at all.

by CrossCyed on Jun 4, 2006 9:46 PM CDT reply actions

Countdown

Have a poll on here of the preseason top 25. Then have a daily countdown over 25 days previewing them from 25 all the way down to 1

Also consider doing reviews on the national magazines similar to the Georgia blog

Another decent high school football book is John Grisham's "Bleachers" that came out a couple years ago.

"Excuse me while I whip this out."

by FreedomDip on Jun 4, 2006 11:11 PM CDT reply actions

Thanks

Terrific idea, FD. We'll definitely do a day-by-day countdown of BON's Top 25, Sunday Morning QB style. Thanks.

by Peter Bean on Jun 5, 2006 12:11 AM CDT up reply actions

Dgib

We can always talk about Daniel Gibson not getting drafted.

by whoopspat on Jun 5, 2006 12:14 AM CDT reply actions

Where's the drama in that?

D-Gib: Among the most perplexing, promising, disappointing, athletes of my UT lifetime. I still hold out hope for good things for him... Hope he gets there.

by Peter Bean on Jun 5, 2006 12:33 AM CDT up reply actions

gotta see friday night lights

if for nothing else than the knee exam/ blow up scene.

by the other Andrew on Jun 5, 2006 12:38 AM CDT reply actions

Also

If there's any enthusiasm for the Book Club idea, I thought we might have some fun with Nick Hornsby's "Fever Pitch" to get riled up for the World Cup. Anyway, feedback welcome.

by Peter Bean on Jun 5, 2006 12:40 AM CDT reply actions

good texas football book

"Horns, Hogs, and Nixon Coming: Texas vs. Arkansas in Dixie's Last Stand"

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743224477/002-8600226-8960035?v=glance&n=283155

i read this over the last year's off-season in preparation for our title run, as it recaps that famous 1969 season. total texas homer-bait, but well-researched and put together.

also, the music for the film version of FNL is by an great band from austin (by way of the permian basin), explosions in the sky. check them out. amazing stuff.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explosions_in_the_Sky

...bleeding burnt orange in nyc since 2002

by cwofford on Jun 5, 2006 8:16 AM CDT reply actions