Among others in attendance were newly signed athletes to the RocNation, Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano, Jets QB Geno Smith and rumored soon to be member, Giants WR Victor Cruz.

Hats off to Mr. Kraft for channeling his inner gangster.

Not Gonna Lie… It Gets A little Weird Around The 3:00 Mark

Disturbing news was delivered from the hills of Tiger Town yesterday as reports surfaced of the vandalism caused to Clemson’s famous “Howard’s Rock.” Photos reveal a large chunk of rock missing from the iconic monument that stands atop of the hill that Clemson famoulsy runs down before kickoff  of every home game.

My childhood best-good friend text messaged me earlier today and assumed that I was going to address this topic on the blog. To be honest, I really gave it no thought before he suggested it. Instead, I challenged him to write a little something because for one, I was too tired to write anything thought provoking tonight. Secondly, he’s smarter than me and can probably deliver better than I could on this one. That being said, we present a Gamecock’s view on “Howard’s Rock” and welcome Cameron “Pale Face” Kelley with his first contribution to The Meat Locker. If anybody disagrees and wants to launch a verbal assault on him, I can provide his phone number, his personal address, as well as the address of his mother and father. Enjoy. 

Although, I usually revel in any insult or setback to the Clemson Tigers, I was both hurt and disappointed by the news out of the upstate this morning. Hurt because, having been to numerous games at “Death Valley”, I know what “Howard’s Rock” means to my Clemson friends. Even though I don’t completely understand it. I mean the guy that it’s named for used it as a doorstop before wanting it thrown in the trash, but then some other guy put it on a pedestal and they triumphed over a 4-6 UVA team supposedly because of it. Nevertheless, I can imagine what it would be like if one of Carolina’s traditions was similarly damaged, defiled, or destroyed.

Fortunately for Clemson, the tradition can continue; “Howard’s Rock” wasn’t destroyed and it wasn’t stolen. However, I am still disappointed (and not because it wasn’t destroyed or stolen). As a Gamecock fan and Carolina alum, I don’t want to see our rival diminished (unless it’s at the baseball regionals, for instance), much less victimized (unless we’re talking about what Swearinger did to Ellington last year). A good rivalry requires an appropriate amount of respect and contempt. Too much of the former and everyone’s a winner for trying. Too much of the latter and setting fires and overturning cop cars is expected after a loss.

Now, as of my writing this, authorities are still investigating. No suspect has been named and no motive has been given. Regardless, whoever did it was an idiot and any motive they might have had was, truly, idiotic. If it wasn’t Dabo for use in his altar to the Greats of Clemson Past, but was a Clemson “fan”, then I hope, in addition to the legal comeuppances, they get the “Death Valley” death penalty, that is, a lifetime ban. Likewise, if it turns out to be the work of some rogue with a hammer, the same penalty will suffice. However, if the perpetrator was a Carolina “fan”, which I fear he/she/they is/are, then not only should a lifetime ban at “Death Valley” be administered but also at Williams-Brice (in addition to the court ordered laser removal of any gross and conspicuous Gamecock tattoos that they probably have).

I love beating Clemson and whatever insults I might hurl at my friends I do it only because I get the same, but nothing more. I respect the Tigers and I only hope that this incident is resolved quickly and satisfactorily for Clemson, its alums, and its fans, because that’s what I would want if it happened to Carolina.

Gameday Traditions: Howard’s Rock

(A Clip From Dabo’s Uncle Rico Fantasy Camp) No. 95 Didn’t Rub It Hard Enough…

Visually the game has improved beyond a level all Madden players could imagine. This is by far and away the most realistic looking game portrayal that we’ve seen.

Running styles have been revamped, along with the owner mode, which debuted last year un-impressively. Users were limited in terms of controlling the small aspects of the previous “franchise mode.”

Madden 25 hits shelves in August of this summer and will undoubtedly be a continued success.

We all know what Scotty Smalls did to the signed Babe Ruth baseball in the cult classic, The Sandlot. If you don’t know what scene I’m talking about, shame on you. The scrappy backyard baseball squad he was a part of was in need of another ball, so Smalls ventured into his Step dad’s trophy room and grabbed his prized signed Babe Ruth baseball and actually brought it onto the field of play. If Smalls did anything else but what I’m about to describe then he’d be remembered as a huge jackass that wore an oversized hat with a bass on it.

Pitcher, Kenny DeNuzez threw the heater, right down the pipe and Smalls punished it, sending it over the fence right into the mouth of the junkyard guardian known as “The Beast.”

Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez described Smalls’ mammoth shot as “busting the guts” right out of the baseball. Because that precisely what Scotty did. He hit the ball so F-ing hard that the laces broke loose and the insides of the ball were unmercifully knocked out.

We haven’t seen such a shot for over twenty years. Until we all woke up this morning and saw the highlight reel…

Last night, Atlanta Braves breakout stud Evan Gattis gave Scotty Smalls a run for his money. Gattis smacked a ball so hard, the rosin was literally seen clouded off the baseball and knocked right off. That’s quite the beastly hack. Gattis has broken onto the scene this season after living a pretty crazy life prior to becoming a pro ball player.

Gattis abandoned a scholarship from Texas A&M after high school and instead chose to wander and live a Christopher McCandless-esque life. Gattis worked odd jobs ranging from a pizza parlor, ski-lift operator and even janitor. After sewing some wild oats, Gattis returned to baseball and was drafted in the 23rd round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Atlanta Braves. Gattis worked his way up through the minors and cracked the opening day lineup for the Bravos. Since then Gattis has amassed a .263 batting average with 14 home runs and 37 RBI’s in 50 games.

However in this round, the advantage goes to Smalls, as I have personally never seen a ball hit so hard, but don’t be surprised before the career of Evan Gattis is over that he challenges this famous feat.

Evan Gattis Smacks The Rosin Off A Baseball (Click Photo)

In Minute 1:06 Scotty Smalls “Busts The Guts” Out Of A Baseball

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwD_QiWPu8I

Here’s a look at some of your favorite NFL players from the recent 2013 NFL Rookie Premiere. This is the first opportunity to see what jersey numbers the rookies are wearing and how they look in their new duds!

This is a plea to country music star, Kenny Chesney. For the love of God, please stop ruining the game of football for us. It’s not enjoyable for actual football fans to troll their favorite sports blogs and highlight shows to watch you frolicking around in your “team of the month’s” uniform and pads, catching passes and running routes. It’s time to grow up Peter Pan and put your high school football days behind you.

Not only is it painful to watch you catching passes from some of the greatest quarterbacks in the league. It’s even more embarrassing for you that you have no loyalty to one particular team. One day its the New Orleans Saints, the next days it’s the Seattle Seahawks. Hey, while you’re at it throw on a Gamecocks helmet while playing in Williams Brice Stadium and do the “gator chomp” with Tim Tebow while playing in Gainesville. Let’s keep in mind that Chesney is a self-proclaimed, die-hard Tennessee Volunteers fan. I don’t think we’ll be seeing Darius Rucker, a loyal Gamecock fan throw on a Volunteers helmet while playing in Knoxville.

So, in closing. Kenny Chesney, you may keep your crappy song lyrics about umbrella drinks, drinking Smirnoff Ice on the beach, and island “girls” to yourself and anybody else that considers that “good music.” All I ask, on behalf of football fans everywhere, please… just let us have football back and stop ruining it for us.

Here are several examples of what I’m talking about and Kenny Chesney’s inability to stay loyal to one team.

Exhibit A: Kenny Chesney “Practicing” With The Seattle Seahawks.

Exhibit B: Kenny Chesney Wearing A Gamecocks Helmet.

Exhibit C: Kenny Chesney “Practicing” With The New Orleans Saints.

Exhibit D: Kenny Chesney Wearing A Dallas Cowboys Helmet

Exhibit E: Kenny Chesney Wearing A Gator Helmet And Singing With Tim Tebow

Exhibit F: Kenny Chesney Wearing A Texas Longhorns Hat

Exhibit G: Kenny Chesney Providing “Insight” On Jon Gruden’s Quarterback Camp.

Exhibit H: Kenny Chesney Wearing An Eagles Helmet

Have I Driven Home My Point?

While touring the Under Armour campus, baseballs biggest phenom Bryce Harper showed off a Gamecocks helmet he found along the way. Harper tweeted this picture on Thursday night. Bryce’s older brother Bryan played collegiately for the Gamecocks and was a part of the back-to-back national championship teams in 2010 and 2011. Bryan is now a pitcher in the Nationals minor leage system and also happens to have a killer mustache.

Gamecock fans, could you imagine if the younger Harper was also part of the squad during the national championship run??

Cam Newton was taking questions in a press conference after OTA’s and demonstrated the worlds most inexcusable “pouty” face that a grown man has ever put on. Starting tackle Jordan Gross decided to mix things up and make them a little funny by video bombing Newton’s presser, and the Panthers starting quarterback was none too pleased.

Here’s a guy who’s making millions of dollars, he’s a successful quarterback at the highest possible level and the guy can’t even pretend to put on a happy face for his brief obligated press conference. You’re in year three Cam, take some notes on how to carry yourself like some of the other “professional” quarterbacks  in the league like Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Time to grow up, Cammy.

According to TMZ, Keyshawn was walking in the neighborhood with his kids when the Biebs sped past them at a high rate of speed. Johnson was infuriated by the pubescent stars actions and jumped into his high performance Prius to chase him down. But Bieber apparently fled into his house and hid. In turn, Johnson called the cops and brought the law into the situation.