Back in the saddle again. Shall I sing a Gene Autry song? Honest, though, I’ve done this so many years I’m getting used to it. Still enjoy it, too.

It’s interesting that Archie Manning would get into this thing of publicity &045; or lack thereof &045; for his son Eli at Ole Miss. Archie has always been rather humble and withdrawn in tight publicity spots, if my memory serves me correctly. The media sure had a heyday back in the Archie Manning days at Ole Miss.

Maurice Clarett, a sophomore running back at Ohio State, was rated No. 1 in the Heisman Hopefuls’ race, while Manning was rated No. 6. We know of course that Eli has played especially well at Ole Miss, but has looked human on occasions, too.

The 6-5, 218-pound Rebel quarterback has done enough in three years to earn pretty good accolades alright enough.

He enters his senior season at Ole Miss with 6,519 passing yards (I mentioned this the other day, I believe) that produced 52 touchdowns and 24 school records.

Ain’t bad, you know it?

But a year ago Archie told the school to forget any plans to market Eli as a Heisman candidate.

He had them scratch plans even to promote Eli in a feature photo on the cover of last year’s football media guide.

I believe I see where Archie’s coming from: too much early publicity could have adverse effect on his son’s career.

But ability is ability, and although it has been better to hold off somewhat on the publicity, Eli Manning has all the signs of being the real thing.

Which brings us to the upcoming 2003 football season; no real football follower has to be reminded that pre-season stats (guesses) differ most of the time from final stats.

It was that way with Red Grange years ago, it’ll be that way with Eli, and it’ll be that way with the next crop.

Just don’t take the football away from me. Gotta have it to punt when I get in a jam.

With that, I think I will just punt.

But my gut feeling tells me not to &8220;punt&8221; right now &045; just do what I’m supposed to do and get on with it. After all, this column’s nearly written … So a little Hurried Hash might be in order right here.

HURRIED HASH

Hey, Ralph Palmeiro, former Mississippi State baseball star, is getting it done on the majors now. The big, bad Texas slugger smashed his 500th major league homer in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, May 11.

… Palmeiro joined a sure-enough select class with his homer. Just 19 major league baseball players ever hit 500 or more homers

… Palmeiro stands tied for 18th on the all-time homer list &045; and he ain’t through. He and former Baltimore Oriole great Eddie Murray have each clubbed 504 big flies and Palmeiro trails Sammy Sosa’s 505 by one.

… Palmeiro earned his spot in the limelight with 500 home runs, and the good thing is that he isn’t through &045; not by a long shot, I wouldn’t think

… Let’s all start pulling for Palmeiro to continue to carry the MSU banner in the Major Leagues!

Glenvall Estes is a longtime columnist for The Natchez Democrat.