I'll try to stop after this one, but this crap is funny: http://www.clarionledger.com/news/0311/21/vum01.html "Hammer Can't Come Close to Espy's Moves" Ability, attitude of sophomore from Madison Central have made him favorite with Ole Miss fans By Michael Wallace [email protected] OXFORD — It took some prying, but Ole Miss offensive specialist Mike Espy finally came clean. The source of Espy's supreme confidence in his ability, hip-shaking fakes and fancy footwork all comes from a superstar he grew up in metro Jackson emulating. Jerry Rice? Nope. Sugar Ray Leonard? No way. Michael Jordan? Not even close. "To be honest, it was MC Hammer," Espy said, somehow maintaining a straight face and matter-of-fact tone as those around him erupted in laughter this week. "When I was little, my family would always tell me to go out and dance. When people came over, or if we had parties, that's what I did." The more moves the sophomore playmaker can deliver Saturday, the better off Ole Miss will be in its quest to capture the program's first SEC Western Division title. The No. 15-ranked Rebels, 8-2 overall and 6-0 in the SEC, will be going for their third victory this season over a ranked opponent when No. 3 LSU, 9-1 and 5-1, visits Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Ole Miss is relying on Espy's big-play ability as a receiver and punt returner to counter two-way Tiger threat Skyler Green, who leads the nation in punt return average and is LSU's third-leading receiver. Saturday's game will feature several intriguing subplots on offense, defense and special teams. Few players, if any, might have more of an impact on two of the game's three components than Espy and Green. "With the positions I play, I believe I can make or break a game; be a game-changer," said Espy, who tops Ole Miss in punt return yards and is the team's third-leading receiver. "I bring a lot to the table." Espy has returned 34 punts for 275 yards and has 24 catches for another 421 yards and two touchdowns. He's also taken a hand-off on a reverse and returned his only kickoff for 24 yards on the season. ... U Can't Touch This ... Versatility might be Espy's nickname if he didn't already have one. That was taken care of soon after the flashy former Madison Central star made an acrobatic catch during a practice last season. From then on, tailback Ronald "Goldie" McClendon dubbed him "ESPN3." Espy had a custom black and white jersey made this year with 'Mississippi' and the 601 area code printed across the front, along with ESPN3 on the back. "What it means is that there's already an ESPN and an ESPN2," Espy said. "So they say I'm a highlight network all by myself." Many Ole Miss fans have eaten up Espy's not-so bashful personality. During the Rebels' recent four-game homestand, a sign hung in front of the student section at the stadium that read: 'Who needs a Heisman when you have an Espy.' ... It's All Good ... Espy paraded around the field with the sign after a recent win. "I don't know who those guys were that made that sign," Espy said. "But I like them." He says he's only having fun and bringing a little spice to the team. Teammates and coaches don't mind as long as he keeps things tasteful and continues to back up his antics with his play. "Mike brings pizzazz and a little something extra every day," quarterback Eli Manning said. "He's one of those guys who'll make a touchdown in practice and turn around and do his thing. He keeps things loose at the right times and everyone else feeds off that." ... Lets Get It Started ... They've also fed off his play. Espy caught six passes for a career-high 157 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Texas Tech. A week later, his punt return late in the fourth quarter helped to set up the Rebels' winning drive against Florida. Ole Miss coach David Cutcliffe said Espy's play from the outset will be critical in Saturday's game. "He has a knack for stepping up in big games," Cutcliffe said. "He's certainly going to be in position to do a lot for us in this game. Mike knows he capable. I don't think he's cocky. But he's real confident
