Can't Tame the Tigers: "LSU Envy" Irks Paul Finebaum

by Corey Gautreaux (Analyst)

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March 18, 2008

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College Football, SEC Football, LSU Football, Media

Paul, Paul, Paul.  I believe you are all confused my friend!  You see, this IS an absolutely wonderful time for LSU football fans.  These ARE the golden ages of LSU football my friend.  These are the days that LSU fans once dreamt about.  These are the days LSU football fans have that warm, fuzzy feeling deep inside.  You remember that feeling Paul?

 

You may have to go back sometime to understand that feeling I am referring to. Let’s see if we can go there together.  Think back to those glory days of Alabama.  You know…all those national championships.  Remember how it felt when you just had to win over the local VFW Bingo League to get crowned a national champion?  Remember how great it felt when the “Bear Bryant School of Journalism” awarded Alabama one of those twelve national championships?  Remember how great it felt that you were crowned a national champion while a team that beat you finished second in their poll?  Remember that feeling?  That is the feeling I am talking about Paul.  That warm and tingling feeling you get when you know you are on top of the world.

 

Well now that you know the feeling I am referring to, I think we can move on and discuss your recent article. 

 

You claim that:

 

“It's been downhill ever since the Tigers put the beat down on Ohio State in

the Sugar Bowl. A pitiful crowd of 25,000 (Florida had 50,000 the year before)

gathered to celebrate LSU's national championship. By most math accounts,

even in Louisiana, that's a cool 67,000 fewer people than showed up for  

Alabama's spring football scrimmage. And they call their program big-time.”   

 

You are right Paul, Tiger fans should be ashamed for thinking that winning national championships is more important than filling your stadium for a spring football scrimmage.  We all know this is what makes a big time program, not actually winning on the field.  It makes no sense that only 25,000 people showed up in the rainy 30 degree weather to watch the Tigers collect their second crystal football.  Shame on those Tiger fans!  We know one thing though, IF Alabama WOULD win a BCS crystal football, we can guess that 100,000 would show up for the celebration.  I guess it is a lot easier to speculate when your trophy case doesn’t contain anything in it with less than 15 years of dust on it, than it would be to actually win one and prove it.  You went on to quote many Louisiana newspapers articles about the raise Les Miles received from LSU.   

 

But the story that came out over the weekend further cemented any doubt

that LSU  fans simply can't enjoy their own success. Apparently, they still have

"Nick Envy."  Instead of giving Les Miles the expected raise he is entitled to

receive, they gave him $3.75 million. What's remarkable about that? It's

$1,000 more than Saban. Of course, it's in his contract that he becomes the

highest-paid SEC coach. By giving him the $1,000 on the nose (what's wrong

with a few more pennies to look more legit?), LSU comes off looking petty,

which shouldn't really be that surprising considering the history of the school.”   

 

This sounds to me like Mr. Finebaum has “LSU Envy”.  The contract Coach Miles signed states that he must become the highest paid coach in the SEC.  I don’t understand the confusion.  It is no secret that Nick Saban is the highest paid coach in the SEC, therefore by contract LSU must pay Les more.  Even by Alabama math, $3.751 million is more than $3.75 million.  So if Florida’s Urban Meyer was the highest paid coach in the SEC, I guess LSU would have “Meyer Envy”?  Well actually, that would be more fitting considering he has won a national title and doesn’t just talk about the one Steve Spurrier won.

 “My question is why should anyone in Louisiana continue to be obsessed with Nick Saban in relation to Les Miles? Why can't they embrace Miles? Perhaps the fact he desperately wanted out to leave for Michigan -- that is until the story blew up on ESPN -- might have something to do with the uneasiness and insecurity. Since taking over Saban's recruits, Miles is 34-6 and has finished No. 5, 3 and 1 in the final AP poll. Understandably, LSU fans are still obsessed with Saban and queasy with Miles. LSU fans may still yearn for the day when Saban roamed the sidelines. They remain embarrassed about Miles -- even with the national title -- like family members regard  the crazy uncle stowed away in the attic.” Don't forget people: Les Miles makes $1,000 more than Saban. Ain't it great to be on top? Nick Saban has been gone nearly four years. When will LSU fans get a life?

 My question is when will Paul Finebaum get a life? What is so hard to understand that LSU fans like that crazed man in the big white hat?  Is it because he doesn’t use “relative” every other sentence?  Is it because he doesn’t wear a visor?  Is it because he didn’t have gastric by-pass go wrong?  Is it because he doesn’t cry after a loss?  Is it because he doesn’t smoke cigars after a win on the road while still on the field?  Why don’t people understand that LSU fans like their coach?  I guess it’s just a lot easier for the national media to say LSU fans don’t like him, than it would be to explain why they like him.  After all he is a crazy, lucky, goofy man that just happens to win football games.  Wow, that wasn’t so hard to explain after all.  

It must be a slow day in the newsroom right Paul, although I find it hard to believe that an Alabama player wasn’t arrested last night.  I would have figured you would have been busy since they moved you up to write police briefs, since you DO know the Alabama football team better than anyone else.  I know it has to be frustrating seeing all those Louisiana sportswriters cover the big game while you were in Shreveport, but don’t worry, Saban may bring you a national championship and you can once and for all let go of that “LSU Envy”. 

Comments (60) Add a comment »

  1. Hammer meets nail. Finebaum makes his living on inciting reaction and writing delusional inflammatory garbage.

    The fact that he has a paying job is a detriment to sports writers everywhere for all he does is lessen the credibility of his peers.

    1. LSU has won its last NC; you guys enjoy it, it took you 40 years to win the last two and who is responsible---he now lives in Tuscaloosa and is coaching the greatest program in the history of college football.

  2. Finebaum has penis envy of the LSU Tigers

  3. Thank you Mr. Gautreaux. Couldn't have said it any better.

  4. ROFLMAO. LSU looks petty because they honored Les' contract?

    Get used to your also ran status Gumps. LSU and Florida are the new kings in town with Georgia and Auburn waiting in the wings.

  5. you corndogs would kill your mommas to get Saban back...

  6. Hey Corey, you sound just like a little punk kid behind a keyboard. What's wrong, get your butt kicked all through school so now you are big and bad behind a screen? At least Paul acted like an adult with everything that he said. He did not sit there and rant on and on about how you are your buddies down there are morons. He did not insult everyone at your school and make light of dead coaches. If I were you, I'd go and sign up for a tough man championship. Seeing as how you are such a badass, it should not be much of a problem for you at all to win. Someone need to walk up to your desk and put your head through that monitor kid. Grow a set, drive to Paul's office and run that mouth. Hell, even that idiot fineBOMB would put you on your ass I bet. I dont like the guy to tell the truth but this crap you just typed is complete ignorance. At the end of the day, both of you look like idiots. Nothing more than two southern assholes with keyboards. How about you and Paul let the fans of each school think, act and talk for themselves? You think you morons can handle that? Or is it just way to much to ask? I'm an alabama fan but I'm also a SEC fan kid. So keep your thoughts opinions and comments to yourself. You dont speak for me and neither does Paul. You are both pathetic, inane waste of space and this crap is getting stupid really quick. I'd love to find out how my of the LSU and Bama fans actually agree with anything you two are saying. Seems to me like both of you are having some slow times in the newsrooms and have nothing better to do than to stir things up.

    I'd still love to see you bring those brash comments out in the streets though. People like you need one thing and one thing only, your ass kicked. Come to think of it, Paul does also. So in closing you, Paul, ESPN, SI, FOX Sports and all the other idiots that like to speak for the FANS, KISS MY ASS. Oh yeah, one more thing. ROLL TIDE

  7. Wow Paul...looks like you made your way to Bleacher Report.com. Welcome aboard!

  8. Dear Anonymous-

    Love the fact that you hammer all over Corey but don't have the guts to post your name...
    Remind me again who won that LSU-Bama game this year? Oh yeah, it was LSU. Who celebrated the National Championship this year? Again, LSU. Corey didn't threaten anyone or encourage violence against anyone, unlike yourself, whose true immaturity shines...

    Andy

  9. Dear Paul - er, "Anonymous" -

    Difference between Saban and Miles: Miles doesn't lie once he says he's not leaving. Remember that the next time Saban says he's not leaving Alabama. We've been through the Saban double speak, and have no desire to re-experience it.

  10. First anyone who has been around the state of Alabama for any length of time realizes that Paul Finebum is a vulture of the month club member and he just waits until he can find some dead or dying topic to pounce onto trying to give it a little substance. I as a Bama fan have long given up on him writing anything that could be measured as inciteful or have meaning other then to Phylis in Mulga. Congrats to the Tigers on their season and we'll see ya in Baton Rouge.

  11. Who really cares what Finebaum or this jackass from Louisiana has to say? Both stories are pathietic, it's sad Finebaum had to write that crap and even worse that someone dignified it with a response. I'm a Bama fan and I couldn't care less about Miles or what's happening in Baton Rouge. I agree with Fred, congrats to LSU, thanks for bringing it home to the SEC. See you at Death Valley....

  12. Finebaums wife is the one with the penis.

    1. very man like woman. you shouuld see her.but she's a doctor and makes the big bucks.

      but she never changed her name. what does that tell you?

  13. Finebaum got exactly the reaction he wanted when he wrote the article. You guys are so easy!

    Congrats to the Tigers (and the SEC) for another crown. Most Tiger fans do what Coach Bryant used to preach: "Act like you've been there before". A few bozo Tiger fans, and sportswriters, just can't grasp that concept...

  14. Dean On!!! Finebaum is a pandering douche bag for the turd wal-mart alumnis

  15. Give poor Paul a break. Life is not easy for radio's number one bammer fan. They can't be Auburn, they can't rationally belittle LSU anymore (as if being rational ever had anything to do with being a Bama fan) and now, with Petrino, Nutt, Miles, Tuberville, and Croom all in the West, Bama really is looking like the odd man out. When the rest of the SEC is looking to the future, Bama can't let go of the past.

  16. You're all a bunch of corndogs! Or at least you smell that way.

  17. The NCAA gives Alabama credit for 19 national championships, but we claim only 12 out of humility. And why is an LSU fan knocking a disorderly conduct arrest when the Tigers starting quarterback has been suspended 3 times and is currently suspended indefinitely. Les Miles' team is hardly a bunch of boy scouts.
    Two losses and a win over a Big Ten team that has never beaten an SEC school is probably not going to be enough to win the national title next year, so LSU fans should worry about their own house instead of continuing to obsess over Saban and every Alabama journalist who talks about him.

  18. Can't we just all get along.WEEGLE!

  19. I love PF. He makes me giggle. That guy--oh the things that could be said about him. I hope he stays on the radio in Birmingham forever. HAHAHA...he's an idiot

  20. You're still all a bunch of corndogs.

  21. Nothing wrong with suspending an athlete for bad behavior, you cannot criticize that because that is what is supposed to happen. Try again Bammer, get a better argument. Calling Finebaum a journalist is a stretch just because one newspaper carries his column.

  22. And you're still a flaming douchebag.

  23. hehe at the redneck bammers

  24. Corey, Im not gonna argue any of the garbage you typed to respond to Finebaum's garbage, because anyone with half a brain know its an OPINION column and he is as much a sports figure as an entertainer.

    Now to correct your assumptions about Bear Bryant's championships: Alabama played the likes of Penn State and Southern Cal with regularity in the 60's and 70's en route to those title years. And it wasnt the teams that beat Alabama finishing second, it was Alabama getting jumped by a team that was ranked lower than them after Bama beat the #1 team in the land. So enjoy your two titles and keep kicking that suckeye behind, but seriously, lay off the Fartbomb garb.

  25. Why does Nick the Dick use the word "relative" all the time?

    Oh, that reminds me of a bad joke, other than Alabama Football:

    "What is the Bama definition of relative humidity?"

    Answer: the sweat pouring off your sister as you bang her

    Parole Tide!

    Ghost of the Bar

  26. You morons. Finescum HATES alabama, and everything about it. Slamming him for Alabama's failings is akin to slamming the USA for Iran's failings.

    Stupid, stupid, stupid. But typical Lsu behavior

  27. "Since taking over Saban's recruits" --- I guess we can say Saban won with Gerry Dinardo's players. The only season Saban coached with all his players was a 9-3 season.

  28. You are a bunch of corn dog stuffing Coon-asses, and we will see what happens when that knuckle dragging troglidite that may be the only male in existence who suffers from penis envy Les miles has to play with his own players. When it was rumored that Miles was off to michigan, every person that called in to the talk shows in Lowsyanna said they wanted Saban back. So go spit out your tobacco long enough to kiss your wife and Nicks kids and kiss my CRIMSON RED ASS
    Roll Tide

  29. Five in a row...

  30. The NCAA does not recognize a National Champion in football. Check facts before you try to justify all of those obscure championships that Alabama claims by saying that the NCAA sanctions them in some way.

  31. Congrats to the Alabama Crimson Tide, the first ever SEC team to lose to a Sunbelt team.

    ULM > Alabama.

  32. Boom goes the dynomite!

  33. corey, i think you are just angry because your name is indeed corey. and, finebaum went to tennessee, he hates bama and auburn, he just happens to work in the state. get your facts straight before you write some stupid ass article defending your corndog pride.

  34. The problem with this article is that Finebaum is not an Alabama supporter. Just because someone has disdain for LSU does not mean that he supports Alabama. I wish people could grasp this simple concept.

    1. Jason offered this simple concept:
      "The problem with this article is that Finebaum is not an Alabama supporter. Just because someone has disdain for LSU does not mean that he supports Alabama. I wish people could grasp this simple concept."

      You are right, having disdain for LSU does NOT mean one supports Alabama: it means one supports a team that is NOT the defending Champions and does not support the only team to win 2 championships decided on the field as opposed to behind a typewriter. It means one supports an inferior team. LSU fans do not have disdain for LSU, they have pride in LSU. You go right ahead keeping your disdain; give me those two Crystal Trophies! ;) Is that concept easy enough to grasp?

  35. Hey Bama boy's ever heard of a one hit wonder? You have another one named little nicky. He had his day in the sun. Now he will be just a regular coach at Bama until ya'll fire him.
    Have a great day!!!

  36. If you believe that Miles would not lie, contact the administration at Okla. State.

    "I am not interested in Louisiana State, I am the head coach of Okla. State..."

  37. This should be posted on Comedy Centrals website. This is one of the funniest "Pro-LSU" articles I have read in quite a long time. Thanks for making Pauls point for him.

  38. "If you believe that Miles would not lie, contact the administration at Okla. State. 'I am not interested in Louisiana State, I am the head coach of Okla. State...'"

    Got a citation for that "quote," anonymous?

    Didn't think so.

    Dismissed.

  39. Excuse me, SEC fans, but don't you all have fan sites you can go to and carry out this internal debate. I thought Bleacher Report was an authentic sports reporting site, where writers could post articles on teams, games and players. What is all this bickering about who has the best fans? Or how many fans turned out for the parades? This debate should be posted on your Scout.com team boards not here.

    If you have something authentic to say about college football, then by all means submit it. If you want to discuss who has the better fans or which coach has more veracity, go to your own boards, pu-lease.

    1. "Excuse me,"
      **No. Your thirst for censorship is inexcusable.

      "SEC fans, but don't you all have fan sites you can go to and carry out this internal debate. I thought Bleacher Report was an authentic sports reporting site, where writers could post articles on teams, games and players."
      **It is called "comments." The article deals with SEC issues and if you non-SEC fans do not not want to read responses, don't. Take your gags to your own non-SEC sites and leave us alone.

      "What is all this bickering about who has the best fans? Or how many fans turned out for the parades?"
      **On this thread? Those comments escaped me, but it is none of your business what anyone wants to say or where.

      "This debate should be posted on your Scout.com team boards not here."
      **Who made you the arbiter of what and where things ought be expressed? Are you a Democrat?

      "If you have something authentic to say about college football, then by all means submit it. If you want to discuss who has the better fans or which coach has more veracity, go to your own boards, pu-lease."
      **Thank you for visiting our humble SEC-related thread, Dr. Authenticity. Being less qualified to judge such things, it escaped me where YOUR comment contained anything authentic to say about college football. Pu-lease enlighten us how it does, but do not seek to censor us or impose your notion of what is appropriate and where. If not a Democrat, are you from the PRC? Just asking.

  40. Tony, that is the most illogical reply I have ever seen. First of all, I never said I had any disdain for anything. I said Finebaum does, and you, being a LSU fan, somehow projected his opinions as those of mine, an Alabama fan. Your post completely proves the point I was trying to make, and that is that your fans have a real problem differentiating between that hack Finebaum's opinions, and those of an entire fanbase that actually hates him. I'll explain again: Finebaum hates Alabama, just like he hates all SEC schools. Can you understand this simple concept or not? What is the matter with you people? I'm starting to understand that there is something inherently wrong with the LSU fanbase's mindset that prohibits them from understanding this. I would love for you or Corey to respond to this post but neither of you will because there is nothing you can say as your opinions have all been based on a false presumption. Is it going to make your head explode the next time Finebaum writes an article that completely bashes Bama? I have kept my post civil and am wondering if any logical LSU fan can respond to these issues. Something tells me, however, that that will not happen.

    1. What is so funny is that Tony thinks that Alabama didn't win a national championship on the field in '92 against Miami. Or in '79 against Penn State...or in '25 against Washington.

  41. http://www.collegesports.campusgrotto.com/les-miles-to-coach-michigan.html

  42. "If you believe that Miles would not lie, contact the administration at Okla. State. 'I am not interested in Louisiana State, I am the head coach of Okla. State...'"

    Got a citation for that "quote," anonymous?

    Didn't think so.

    Dismissed.

    Dec.27,2007: Daily Oklahoman

    From Staff and Wire Reports

    Oklahoma State fans may have experienced a bit of déjà vu early Saturday.
    Eerily similar to what happened in 2004 when Oklahoma State's football coach denied rumors he was heading to Baton Rouge, Les Miles insisted Saturday that he will remain LSU's football coach despite all the speculation he would bolt for Michigan.

    LSU athletic director Skip Bertman said Miles and LSU chancellor Sean O'Keefe already have worked out a contract "they're happy with,” but it has not yet been signed.

    During Oklahoma State's trip to the Alamo Bowl in 2004, Miles vehemently denied rumors that he had been in contact with LSU about their coaching vacancy.

    "When I say I'm really happy (at Oklahoma State), I really am,” Miles said then. "I really am. I don't want to be looked at as (being) in a part-time spot. You got me? I just want you to know — this is a place I want to be.”

    Miles was named the head coach at LSU four days later.

  43. "Tony, that is the most illogical reply I have ever seen."
    **Guess you don't read a lot.

    "First of all, I never said I had any disdain for anything. I said Finebaum does, and you, being a LSU fan, somehow projected his opinions as those of mine, an Alabama fan."
    **If you read a lot you would find PLENTY of Alabama disdain for LSU. You would discover that PF was expressing views that many Alabama fans hold and express whether or not PF hates Bama.

    "Your post completely proves the point I was trying to make, and that is that your fans have a real problem differentiating between that hack Finebaum's opinions, and those of an entire fanbase"
    **And you cannot distinguish between PF, the Bama-hater, and the views he expressed in this particular article which reflects the views of many Bama fans.

    "that actually hates him. I'll explain again: Finebaum hates Alabama, just like he hates all SEC schools."
    **That bias did not prevent him from expressing Bama views on this particular occasion.

    "Can you understand this simple concept or not? What is the matter with you people?"
    **It is your own comprehension skills with which you need to concern yourself. What is the matter with us--from an Bama perspective-- is that we are the defending National Champions and Bama is NOT. Hence: ENVY

    "I'm starting to understand that there is something inherently wrong with the LSU fanbase's mindset that prohibits them from understanding this."
    **Your understanding is inherently flawed and amounts to an opinion with no more weight than anyone else's.

    "I would love for you or Corey to respond to this post but neither of you will because there is nothing you can say as your opinions have all been based on a false presumption."
    **Wrong twice, Bammer. Here is the loved response and it is not a false presumption to observe that a Bammer-hater is expressing broadly held Bammer views on this occasion. Perhaps you can draw my attention to the Bammer-sponsored web pages dedicated to praising LSU?

    "Is it going to make your head explode the next time Finebaum writes an article that completely bashes Bama?"
    **Are you joking? YOUR head might explode, MINE will be laughing. Duh.

    "I have kept my post civil and am wondering if any logical LSU fan can respond to these issues. Something tells me, however, that that will not happen."
    **That "something" keeps leading you astray. It makes you believe you are being logical and blinds you to the larger circumstances: you may conveniently deny disdain for LSU, but many Bama fans hold the views PF expressed--his views on Bama has no relevance to this observation. TY for being civil, sorry it taxed you so much to do that you felt compelled to point it out.

    Chris: None of the games you cite were designated NC games as we now have in the BCS era. That is what is meant by "on the field." After those games, the media picked their favorites. My fuller criticism of that previous process and its recently urged return can be read at: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/5931-College_Football-LSU_Football-Ohio_State_Football-BCS_Solution_What_s_Wrong_with_the_Way_Things_Were_-070108#comment_57599

  44. Senor Anonymous, while you prolly have a point, you have failed to provide a source for the direct quote, "I am not interested in Louisiana State, I am the head coach of Okla. State..." The direct quotes provided may have all been 100% true. If you are going to use a direct quote, you need to provide the source. This citation fails to do that.

  45. Tony, believe it or not, I appreciate the point by point argument; I did not expect that. I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this issue. I just cannot accept the logic of attacking one entity simply because another, unrelated, entity attacked you and you believe that those two entities share some viewpoints.
    In response to your other argument that Bama fans have this disdain towards LSU due to jealousy, I again disagree. Since I do not remember any tension whatsoever between the two schools in the wake of the ’03 championship, I really think it is more of a response to the majority of the LSU fanbase’s reaction to Saban coming to Bama, which I’m sure you will agree was overall pretty childish. I could give examples if you wanted but I think you know what I’m talking about. Just compare this fallout to Florida’s handling of Spurrier to USC.
    Finally, I'm sorry you misunderstood me when I mentioned I was being civil. The reason I brought this up was not due to some difficulty in doing so; it was a preemptive attempt to maintain a logical argument which did not quickly degrade to juvenile stereotype attacks and/ or name calling. The fact that you called me a “bammer” in your next post illustrates my concern. Anyway, congrats and enjoy the hardware. I for one enjoyed the SEC beatdown. -Jason

  46. This PF guy is a shock jock, if you have listened to him you know he is clueless about sports....his show is a 2nd rate comedy act.

  47. Its not about bammer, Its about the evny that you rednecks have for Les Miles...you see the bammer fans are starting to see that Les is a far better coach than saban and they are pissed about all the money they paid for an avg. coach. LSU fans have Fla and AU to worry about...you see bammer really doesnt matter anymore.

  48. Forget Saban. No one is envious of Les. Seriously, no one. And deep down you know he is a second rate coach. Second rate coach with a ring, no doubt, but still second rate. I have many friends that went to LSU and this is what they say themselves so you can't tell me that everyone down there is happy with him. PS, People will take you more seriously if you refrain from the "bammer" "barner" "corndog" stuff.

  49. WOW..this LSU and Miles envy will not help the roll tides a bit.

  50. What the hell? ave you heard his show? He is a huge alabama supporter..He hates LSU and Les b/c they are killing his team every year (5 str8). He used to jump all over Tenn. but its Miles he hates now.

  51. No, he is not an Alabama supporter. He bashes Alabama. It is a fact that he does not have a team. An Auburn fan would tell you the same. I am sorry you are woefully unaware of the situation. Just because LSU is one of the teams he bashes, does not mean he is an Alabama fan. Wow.

  52. It really doesnt matter what you say...I know he is a huge alabama fan...listen to his show sometime..you will see.

  53. Alabama fan:

    Why is your mouth open? You just went 7-6, right? You lost to Louisiana Monroe.

    Yes you have great tradition and 38 NCs, but you need to have a better record - or beat a good team - or maybe beat Auburn before you run your mouth. Take note of how Miss. State fans act - or South Carolina fans..

    Until then, shut your hole.

    Chris

  54. Alabama gumps have absolutely no room to talk..the fact that they ensure a national title with their new coach and make delusional statements and predictions are the main reason they are referred to as the most delusional fans in college football...beat LSU and then you can talk..until then, worry about beating sun belt teams

  55. “It's been downhill ever since the Tigers put the beat down on Ohio State in

    the Sugar Bowl."

    Somebody tell Finebaum that LSU beat Ohio State in the BCS National Title Game.
    The Sugar Bowl was Georgia v. Hawaii.

    Some sports expert he is.

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