Hey guys. Could you take a seat? This’ll only take a minute.
You may have noticed that I’d expected this to be the week I made a return to my usual couple-of-posts-a-day blogging rate. You may also have noticed that I haven’t posted a thing since Sunday.
I wish I was here to tell you this was just more adjustment to a baby-dictated schedule and that things were back to normal, starting now. Wait: no, if I’m honest, I don’t wish that. Because the reason my absence has been extended is that I’ve been hired as a national college football blogger by CBSSports.com. They’re paying me real money and everything. Speaking exclusively from a personal standpoint, it’s a sweet deal.
But from a War Blog Eagle standpoint, it’s a lot less sweet. If it was just the new gig, or if it was just the new family member, I’d be a lot more confident about keeping WBE service up to something approaching its usual levels. But between both …
… well, between both, I’ll just be frank: there’s not going to be nearly as much content from me around these parts. I’m sorry. I really do wish the timing could have been better–the middle of Auburn’s most exciting season since Cadillac and Jason and Ronnie and Marcus and Carlos were around, with Auburn’s most dynamic single player since [pick a date] staring down a legitimate run at Auburn’s third Heisman trophy, is when I’d like to be writing more about Auburn football, not less. But the CBS gig just isn’t the sort of opportunity I could pass on, for reasons I think are obvious.
Before we get any farther, let me make this much clear: I am NOT saying goodbye. I love this site, our readers, and the amazing football team we all share far, far too much to give it up completely. I’m always going to have tons and tons to say about Auburn that won’t have a home at CBS; whenever I find the time, you’re going to read some of it right here. I’ll have a couple of things up before the LSU game, come hell or high water. And of course, the rest of the guys here at TWER will be doing their usual brilliant thing.
But for the time being, at least, I’m not going to be able to chime in more than occasionally. That’s not what I’d like. And I do apologize for it. But it is what it is, and I’m sure you understand.
I’ll be back maybe tonight, maybe tomorrow. ‘Til then: War Eagle. Cam for Heisman. And above all, thanks so much for reading … now, and going forward.
congrats Jerry, that’s awesome.
you have been missed, but hearing about your success is worth it. if you are even half as good over there are you are here, it will be a tremendous pick up by CBS.
Good luck and thanks.
War Eagle.
Jerry,
Congrats on the gig. I followed you to this site from TJCCW. You are a brilliant sportswriter and you deserve this.
Congrats Jerry. Awesome news man. Good luck in the big time.
I for one look forward to reading your insights on a wider range of topics (not that I don’t also love reading your take on AU). Your new home is now safely in my Google Reader. Congrats!
Jerry:
I’ve always enjoyed, and more times than not completely agreed with, your takes on Auburn football. I still hope to get your insight, however few and far between in may be. Congratulations on the new gig, and good luck to you and the fam. Take care and War Eagle!
Congrats, Jerry! Your content here will be missed. Wow, now what am I going to do for all my Auburn goodness? Mark and Ryan at TheAuburner hardly ever post anymore (well, Mark does SOMETIMES; I don’t know what in the world happened to Ryan), and now less Jerry? At least you’ll still be writing, even if it’s not always Auburn-centric. Good luck with the new job!
I am not surprised. You have a real talent for this, and I am glad you have an opportunity to test new waters. I will miss seeing as many of you posts here, but I’ll look forward to your takes on CBS.
Congrats
Congrats Jerry!
I’ll be able to say, “I knew that guy way back when! He even replied to my comments a few times. I AM SPECIAL TOO!”
Our loss is the nation’s gain.
Congradulations on the new gig!!
You are a great writer, just remember the little people now that you
are nation wide!!!
WDE Jerry!!
Awesome, Jerry. If you meet Verne and Gary – punch them in the mouth, several times.
War Eagle!
That is fantastic news Jerry and thank you for all your years of dedicating yourself the way you have. Now I have a reason to go to CBSsports.com…
Congrats Jerry! You’ve earned it. You’re certainly in the upper eschelon of CFB bloggers. Best of luck to you.
Congrats Jerry! Can’t wait to read your stuff at the new gig.
Congrats, Awesomness.
Please take DKinAU’s advice and good luck with everything else!
Congratulations, Jerry! I know you’ll do us proud.
Congratulations, Jerry. Best of luck at CBSSports. I’ll be looking for your input there. Don’t sweat the balancing of tasks. Family and work take priority as a Dad.
Get used to it, as it will dictate your life long after they leave the house.
Looking forward to your bits on LSU. I’ll remind you that Saturday is the closest we’ll come to a game on St. Crispian’s Day. Just sayin.
Sullivan013
Congrats Jerry. This is really bittersweet news.
Congrats Jerry! You have been a solid source of entertainment and insight and I wish you the best moving forward!
Way to go Jerry. You do have a gift for this. For whatever reason, opportunity, or should I say “good opportunity” always seems to happen when you least expect it or maybe aren’t quite ready for it at that particular instance. But to be successful, you have to recognize those situations and take advantage of them. Sounds like you are doing just that. I was beginning to wonder about the lack of content and had begun to have a hunch something might be going down. Very glad to hear this was why. I have really enjoyed following along with you since I stumbled across the Joe Cribbs Car Wash a couple years ago. All the best in your future endeavours for you and your newly expanded family. Refreshing to see folks that work hard and are good at what they do be recognized and rewarded for that. Damn sure not always the case. But you will be missed here.
ATTN – Rest of TWER staff – you guys are going to have to pick it up. Let’s start pumping the LSU game. I need my fix. Getting too much work done at work.
What Neal said. Congratulations, Jerry!
Good for you, so congrats and best wishes! We’ll definitely miss you here, though.
At least we’ll have an AU perspective on the national scene.
Now to follow that new link…
Best of luck Jerry!!! Great having you around here – don’t be a stranger!!!
War Eagle Jerry. War Damn Eagle.
Well deserved, and not at all surprising given your talent. But dude, I don’t know what I thought about the game until I read your recap, so if you’re going to do one thing, let it be that.
Congrats Jerry! I started to get really upset with you till I remembered that I just took an “opportunity to good to pass up” myself. In this economy it has to be the right choice. However, leaving Atlanta and heading to a small town with little to no media looks a little more foolish in light of the revelation.
Sweet dude, do you get free Mentalist DVDs????
Jerry, congrats.
You’ll class the place up.
NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
This is terrible. I mean, great for you and all… but this is terrible. Why can’t CBS just let you DWYD on… idk, http://www.warblogeagle.cbs.com?? Who CARES about other teams!
I hope you are fired for being a man or some other sort of discrimination so you can sue for millions and return to your rightful home forever. Or just win the lottery.
I hate this.
Congratulations.
Damn, guys, thanks a ton.
DK: you must have missed their, ahem, Tebow-esque treatment of Cam last Saturday. They’re on our side now. Even if sort of disgustingly so.
Ben: The thought of losing the recaps just kills me. I’d love to keep them alive. But they’re so time-intensive, even if I skip the charting. We’ll see. can’t make any promises.
Alabama ManDance: I can only hope. Though I’m starting far enough down the ladder that I’ll be lucky if I can wrangle Season 1 of numb3rs.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But seriously, congrats dude. WDE.
Congrats! Looks like you’re already having fun over there.
If you end up only having time to keep up one feature at this site, I vote “Sunday knee-jerk”. (I would say the gameday thread, but I figure you’ll be pretty busy then).
The Sunday reaction stuff has consistently been my favorite out of all the good stuff on this site, and it can be as long or short as you need it to be for that week’s time constraints.
Good on ya! Incredibly well-deserved.
I knew this was coming since the day I first started reading JCCW. I guess we should have started paying you more. Congrats and good luck! I’ll be keeping up.
(Huh, looks like there’s another Luke. I probably should have seen that by now. How you doing, well-named sir?)
Congratulations, Jerry! I haven’t commented all that much, but I’ve been reading daily since Jeremy Henderson did a piece on the College Kids Tailgate early last fall (you guys also helped us out with our “Flag The Ref’s campaign last year, which was awesome!). Seriously, this is my go-to site when my browser opens up, and it’s not going to be the same with less of you! I’m with Blake: make them give you tons of money for no particular reason so you can come back here and keep our insatiable appetites fed while sitting atop your newly acquired pile-o’-money and taking care of your family. It’s the perfect plan! Seriously, though, CBS made a good call offering you a job. Your stuff is the cream of the crop and it’s a wonder we’ve had you to ourselves for as long as we have. Best of luck to ya, Jerry, and I’ll be looking forward to the continued reading of your stuff both here and there!
War Damn Eagle, and God Bless!
Congrats Jerry! I have to agree with Blake. Very happy for you, but it sucks for us. Best Auburn content/insight on the net. Hope they let you focus on the SEC or especially Auburn. Agreed on the “sunday knee jerk” as well, it is my most anticipated of all your updates! Cant wait to read what you have to say on cbs and I hope you also are not to “big time” for another bowl pick ’em contest this season. Cheers!
ATTN – AU99 — “Picking it up” isn’t going to replace TWER’s football ace. Jerry was a force at JCCW before he came aboard here and he’ll be a force wherever he goes in the future. We’re very lucky we had him these many months.
dude, your winning the life lottery of late. way to go Jerry. over the past few years you have been my favorite college football blogger, good to see someone is paying your ass for it.
C;mon, man. There are twenty four [24] hours in a day. Use the sleep hours to write for US. Red Bull and coffee and …….diapers is all you need. Sleep is overrated anyway. You can sleep when you’re dead.
Good for you. Joe Cribbs should be proud.
Congrats on the new gig. As so many others have said, I started reading your insightful posts at the JCCW years ago and followed you to the WBE. So, will just continue my trek to wherever CBS takes you and just hope for an Auburn-centric post. Can’t say that I won’t miss the pre-, during, and post-Auburn game analyses AND the constant off (football) season writing. Was really looking forward to seeing what you would say about new BB team….regardless, good luck at CBS!
Fan-friggin’-tastic. I hardly ever post a comment, but this is awesome news, and you deserve it. Can’t wait to be reading your stuff on a big fancy sports site! JCCW 4 LYFE.
Awesome news Jerry! Congrats!
You’re a dad now, so you better make that money while you can. They don’t get any cheaper as they get older!
WDE!
Congrat$
Jerry you are the MAN!
Congrats, hate to lose you.
CBSSPORTS.com just got a lot of new readers.
Best of luck Jerry. And thanks for all that you have given us.
I’m with Blake. Bad for us as Auburn fans, good for the rest of the unwashed out there- as they will be exposed to your brilliance now- -and obviously, good for you professionally.
I am happy for you. Don’t mistake that. Congrats!
But, this is a sad day for me, and I’m sure alot of other folks.
Your analysis was always the steady/coherent voice amongst all the freak out. My daily routine was Bitter for “facts”, and Jerry for the “how do I feel about these facts”. Now, I’m left to draw my own conclusions, and console myself. Not looking forward to that.
Don’t be a stranger. War Eagle and God Bless!
Gonna miss you bad BAD….but….I’m proud that you have covered my team and have gone on to new heights. Will you please come back for TWER’s Bowl-a-palooza?
Stay thirsty, my friend
As everyone else has said, Congratulations! It is always good to get paid for whatever you are doing! The only real silver lining I can see for myself, is that it means I will waste less time reading about Auburn on a daily basis, which might make me more productive. Then again, I guess I could always read your work at CBS and waste the time I used to spend here over there!
Alright Jerry.. the 1st time you meet Verne, go up to him as a “close talker” and give him a “WOW DAMN EAGLE”…keep ’em honest over there on the bammer network.
Congrats, man. I always knew this day would come. A quote:
Magic, man. If I’m ever at a fancy cocktail party and making chit-chat and say “Yes, I’m a freelance writer, do some college football blogging,” and the guy I’m talking to says “Oh, you like sports? I’m an ESPN executive,” and I say “Really? Did you have anything to do with Ron Franklin’s demotion from ESPN’s primetime Saturday night team and his replacement with Mike Patrick?” and he says “Why yes, I made that decision myself, as a matter of fact,” I’m going to punch him right in his fat face. Tuxedo and all.
-Jerry Hinnen