While I was sitting in my boat and waiting for the Elite guys to take off yesterday (Sunday) morning at Chatuge, Dave Mercer was speaking over the PA system and said this was the strongest AOY field in years, and probably wouldn't be duplicated ever again due to the turmoil and changes about to happen in the sport. I don't know if that was off the cuff and not thought out, or planned. I hope, for his sake, he didn't step in it as far as his job with BASS goes.