One of the worst months in sports history just got a lot bleaker.
Wake Forest head coach Skip Prosser died Thursday afternoon after suffering what appears to have been a sudden, massive heart attack. He was 56. And once again, the sporting realm of society has reminded us of another valuable life lesson.
Often times, these lessons we learn from sports are of triumph and perseverance, the ability to accomplish anything through hard work and dedication. Of overcoming the odds to do something unthinkably great.
But this lesson was much more blunt.
Sometimes, you just plain forget how fragile life really is.
Sometimes in the sports realm, people get so caught up in steroids and scandals, in “Who’s Now?” brackets and fantasy football trades, that we — myself included — forget about what really matters.
As in life, it’s good people who shape and mold the minds of a younger generation that matter.
The past month in sports has been littered with bad news after bad news from hugely successful, recognizable names and organizations.
Michael Vick and dog fighting. NBA referee Tim Donaghy and betting. Barry Bonds and steroids.
Prosser’s death is almost like a dose of reality, that all of these sports figures we read and write about are indeed human, not just a picture in a newspaper or a sound bite on a radio show.
Perhaps that’s why this seems so surreal.
Sometimes, bad things happen to good people.
There will be many, many things written about Prosser and his life. If you read any you like, feel free to share.
I thought this column by Dan Wetzel was very good.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
Updated NFL rankings
Two months ago, I posted my way-too-early "power rankings" for all 32 NFL teams in regards to the upcoming season. Now that preseason camps are about to fully begin and a few trades have been made, it's time to update the rankings and get excited about football season again.
I'll put the original rankings in parentheses after the team name.
1. New England (1)
2. Indianapolis (2)
3. San Diego (5)
4. New Orleans (7)
5. Chicago (4)
6. Baltimore (6)
7. Denver (3)
8. Seattle (9)
9. Philadelphia (12)
10. Dallas (10)
11. Pittsburgh (13)
12. Carolina (11)
13. Cincinnati (8)
14. New York Jets (14)
15. Jacksonville (17)
16. St. Louis (19)
17. San Francisco (15)
18. Tennessee (21)
19. Miami (28)
20. Detroit (29)
21. New York Giants (16)
22. Arizona (18)
23. Buffalo (23)
24. Washington (26)
25. Kansas City (20)
26. Atlanta (22)
27. Houston (27)
28. Minnesota (24)
29. Green Bay (25)
30. Tampa Bay (31)
31. Cleveland (30)
32. Oakland (32)
Biggest risers: Miami (28 to 19) and Detroit (29 to 20)
Miami's trade for Trent Green at the very least brings the Dolphins close to respectability. Green is aging, but has been one of the most successful quarterbacks in the league the last few years. This could be a breakout year for Ronnie Brown, and Chris Chambers, Marty Booker and Ten Ginn Jr. (in the slot) could be a fast-paced offense. The aging defense must hold up, and the secondary must improve to compete for a wildcard spot.
I moved the Lions way up, mainly because of more analysis. It's just so easy to plug Detroit in at the bottom of any rankings and be pretty accurate. But this may be the year they compete for a playoff spot - or at least for .500. Quarterback Jon Kitna loves Calvin Johnson, and Johnson and Roy Williams create a receiver tandem few defenses can match. Mike Martz will get the most out of the offense, which needs to play much more consistently to keep pace with the underrated defense.
Biggest fallers: Cincinnati (8 to 13) and Kansas City (20 to 25)
The Bengals have a lot of talent, but failed to get better in the offseason. That's a big mistake, in my view. Team's that don't upgrade talent, mix it up with new signings or have a rock-solid draft class typically seem to slip a bit, and that could be the case for the Bengals.
As for the Chiefs, they have quarterback concerns, slow wide receivers, a rebuilt offensive line and an underachieving defense (again). It could be a long year in Kansas City.
I'll put the original rankings in parentheses after the team name.
1. New England (1)
2. Indianapolis (2)
3. San Diego (5)
4. New Orleans (7)
5. Chicago (4)
6. Baltimore (6)
7. Denver (3)
8. Seattle (9)
9. Philadelphia (12)
10. Dallas (10)
11. Pittsburgh (13)
12. Carolina (11)
13. Cincinnati (8)
14. New York Jets (14)
15. Jacksonville (17)
16. St. Louis (19)
17. San Francisco (15)
18. Tennessee (21)
19. Miami (28)
20. Detroit (29)
21. New York Giants (16)
22. Arizona (18)
23. Buffalo (23)
24. Washington (26)
25. Kansas City (20)
26. Atlanta (22)
27. Houston (27)
28. Minnesota (24)
29. Green Bay (25)
30. Tampa Bay (31)
31. Cleveland (30)
32. Oakland (32)
Biggest risers: Miami (28 to 19) and Detroit (29 to 20)
Miami's trade for Trent Green at the very least brings the Dolphins close to respectability. Green is aging, but has been one of the most successful quarterbacks in the league the last few years. This could be a breakout year for Ronnie Brown, and Chris Chambers, Marty Booker and Ten Ginn Jr. (in the slot) could be a fast-paced offense. The aging defense must hold up, and the secondary must improve to compete for a wildcard spot.
I moved the Lions way up, mainly because of more analysis. It's just so easy to plug Detroit in at the bottom of any rankings and be pretty accurate. But this may be the year they compete for a playoff spot - or at least for .500. Quarterback Jon Kitna loves Calvin Johnson, and Johnson and Roy Williams create a receiver tandem few defenses can match. Mike Martz will get the most out of the offense, which needs to play much more consistently to keep pace with the underrated defense.
Biggest fallers: Cincinnati (8 to 13) and Kansas City (20 to 25)
The Bengals have a lot of talent, but failed to get better in the offseason. That's a big mistake, in my view. Team's that don't upgrade talent, mix it up with new signings or have a rock-solid draft class typically seem to slip a bit, and that could be the case for the Bengals.
As for the Chiefs, they have quarterback concerns, slow wide receivers, a rebuilt offensive line and an underachieving defense (again). It could be a long year in Kansas City.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
East-West week
The East-West All-Star games in basketball, soccer and football take place in Greensboro this weekend, and the R&L will staff both soccer games tonight.
South Iredell's Tiffany Whiting was the first Viking to play in the girls basketball game since the mid 1980s. She didn't score, but was pretty positive afterwards. It was tough for Whiting to get her shots off, going against more athletic guards who played tight man-to-man defense the entire game. Plus, in those types of all-star games, the "headliners" typically try to hog the show.
The East, down by 18 points, roared back to win by eight last night.
Lake Norman graduate Rachel Steeb will play in the girls soccer game today at 7 p.m., and Allen Lomax - also from Lake Norman - will play in the boys game at 9 p.m.
We'll have the girls story in the paper tomorrow, and a boys game recap will be available on www.statesville.com tomorrow as well.
South Iredell's Tiffany Whiting was the first Viking to play in the girls basketball game since the mid 1980s. She didn't score, but was pretty positive afterwards. It was tough for Whiting to get her shots off, going against more athletic guards who played tight man-to-man defense the entire game. Plus, in those types of all-star games, the "headliners" typically try to hog the show.
The East, down by 18 points, roared back to win by eight last night.
Lake Norman graduate Rachel Steeb will play in the girls soccer game today at 7 p.m., and Allen Lomax - also from Lake Norman - will play in the boys game at 9 p.m.
We'll have the girls story in the paper tomorrow, and a boys game recap will be available on www.statesville.com tomorrow as well.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Bobcats forecast
Signing Gerald Wallace was big on many fronts.
It ensured the Bobcats continued to get an investment on the expansion draft. The trade for Jason Richardson now officially means something - if the Bobcats traded for J-Rich and lost Wallace, the team wouldn't be better.
Perhaps most importantly, however, it showed the disgruntled and borderline paranoid Charlotte fans that Bob Johnson will indeed spend the money it takes to win.
Now the bad news? By committing more than $50 to both Richardson and Wallace, and spending $27 on Matt Carroll, Charlotte is thin up front.
Emeka Okafor is a great player, when healthy, and Sean May is a solid option at power forward. Thing is, the Bobcats will be in trouble when Okafor missed five or six games with recurring back problems, and May isn't a picture of perfect health either. With Primoz Brezec, Ryan Hollins, Othella Harrington and Jake Voskuhl as the posts on the bench (no, Walter Hermann doesn't count - he's a wing).
That's a situation worth watching, but with Raymond Felton running downcourt with Wallace on one side and Richardson on the other, the Bobcats should contend for a playoff spot.
It ensured the Bobcats continued to get an investment on the expansion draft. The trade for Jason Richardson now officially means something - if the Bobcats traded for J-Rich and lost Wallace, the team wouldn't be better.
Perhaps most importantly, however, it showed the disgruntled and borderline paranoid Charlotte fans that Bob Johnson will indeed spend the money it takes to win.
Now the bad news? By committing more than $50 to both Richardson and Wallace, and spending $27 on Matt Carroll, Charlotte is thin up front.
Emeka Okafor is a great player, when healthy, and Sean May is a solid option at power forward. Thing is, the Bobcats will be in trouble when Okafor missed five or six games with recurring back problems, and May isn't a picture of perfect health either. With Primoz Brezec, Ryan Hollins, Othella Harrington and Jake Voskuhl as the posts on the bench (no, Walter Hermann doesn't count - he's a wing).
That's a situation worth watching, but with Raymond Felton running downcourt with Wallace on one side and Richardson on the other, the Bobcats should contend for a playoff spot.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Defense betrays Mooresville
Going head to head against Rowan County, easily the best American Legion team in the Area III Southern Division, one thing the eighth-seeded Moors of Mooresville could not do was make simple mistakes.
Check out how Game 2 of the best-of-five series ended last night. Even if you don't follow American Legion ball, I think you'd be hard pressed to recall a weirder ending than this one.
A truly masterful, gutsy performance by rising junior Nick Lomascolo was indeed completely undone in the 60 seconds after he was removed. He did a great job, battling with a more experienced pitcher in Cy Young (yes, that's his name).
Anybody out there have a fond - or maybe not so fond - memory of a crazy ending to a sporting event?
Check out how Game 2 of the best-of-five series ended last night. Even if you don't follow American Legion ball, I think you'd be hard pressed to recall a weirder ending than this one.
A truly masterful, gutsy performance by rising junior Nick Lomascolo was indeed completely undone in the 60 seconds after he was removed. He did a great job, battling with a more experienced pitcher in Cy Young (yes, that's his name).
Anybody out there have a fond - or maybe not so fond - memory of a crazy ending to a sporting event?
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Taking a stand
I can't tell you how pleased I was when I read the first part of this column.
With so many different forms of information in today's world - newspapers, blogs, radio, television, Web sites - breaking information or a juicy scoop can appear on one medium at a certain point and be accessed instantly. It's very important that everybody in this business - from ESPN on down to a 5,000-circulation weekly paper - adhere to adhere to proper journalistic standards when crediting other news outlets for information.
Kudos to San Antonio Express-News sports editor Douglas Pils for taking a stand on this issue.
I know I've harped on ESPN and larger papers a lot recently, but it is pretty distressing when radio host Colin Cowherd can do something like this and get away with it, when I would be fired for being that irresponsible.
With so many different forms of information in today's world - newspapers, blogs, radio, television, Web sites - breaking information or a juicy scoop can appear on one medium at a certain point and be accessed instantly. It's very important that everybody in this business - from ESPN on down to a 5,000-circulation weekly paper - adhere to adhere to proper journalistic standards when crediting other news outlets for information.
Kudos to San Antonio Express-News sports editor Douglas Pils for taking a stand on this issue.
I know I've harped on ESPN and larger papers a lot recently, but it is pretty distressing when radio host Colin Cowherd can do something like this and get away with it, when I would be fired for being that irresponsible.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Monday's musings
A couple of quick-hit links and thoughts from the sports world.
Brevin Knight says he wasn't released from the Bobcats for monetary reasons. The release of Knight came as a mild surprise to me. He was a great true point guard, capable of spelling Raymond Felton or allowing Felton to play the two-guard for brief periods of time on the floor. His release was a strong message to Felton that the Bobcats brass wants him to be the point guard of the future - and expect more out of him this season.
In more Bobcats news, Matt Carroll says he's getting interest from three teams - including Cleveland and San Antonio. While most Bobcats fans are focused on the Gerald Wallace situation, and rightfully so, Carroll was an important player to the 'Cats last year. This situation bears watching very, very closely. The Spurs will contend for another title next year, and Cleveland has a big selling point in playing with LeBron James.
I haven't written anything about the three deaths in the Benoit family - mainly because I don't know what to say - but I thought this feature on former professional wrestler Lex Luger was very intriguing.
Here's an interesting take on Mike Hargrove's sudden resignation.
Other random thoughts: If the Chicago Cubs are really about to turn the corner, they'll win the next two series against Washington and Pittsburgh and head into the All-Star weekend (hopefully) four or five games back of Milwaukee. ... Who did the best in the NBA Draft? Hard to argue against Portland, but here's something to think about. The Blazers had six draft picks this year and had nearly the same amount last year. They can stash a few players overseas, but that's too many young players for a 12-man roster. ... My way-too-early preseason Top 10 for college football? So glad you asked ...
1. USC
2. Michigan
3. LSU
4. Texas
5. Florida
6. West Virginia
7. Virginia Tech
8. Wisconsin
9. Oklahoma
10. Ohio State
and just for fun ....
1. Appalachian State
2. Montana
3. North Dakota State
4. Northern Iowa
5. Youngstown State
6. New Hampshire
7. Massachusetts
8. James Madison
9. Cal Poly
10. Furman
Brevin Knight says he wasn't released from the Bobcats for monetary reasons. The release of Knight came as a mild surprise to me. He was a great true point guard, capable of spelling Raymond Felton or allowing Felton to play the two-guard for brief periods of time on the floor. His release was a strong message to Felton that the Bobcats brass wants him to be the point guard of the future - and expect more out of him this season.
In more Bobcats news, Matt Carroll says he's getting interest from three teams - including Cleveland and San Antonio. While most Bobcats fans are focused on the Gerald Wallace situation, and rightfully so, Carroll was an important player to the 'Cats last year. This situation bears watching very, very closely. The Spurs will contend for another title next year, and Cleveland has a big selling point in playing with LeBron James.
I haven't written anything about the three deaths in the Benoit family - mainly because I don't know what to say - but I thought this feature on former professional wrestler Lex Luger was very intriguing.
Here's an interesting take on Mike Hargrove's sudden resignation.
Other random thoughts: If the Chicago Cubs are really about to turn the corner, they'll win the next two series against Washington and Pittsburgh and head into the All-Star weekend (hopefully) four or five games back of Milwaukee. ... Who did the best in the NBA Draft? Hard to argue against Portland, but here's something to think about. The Blazers had six draft picks this year and had nearly the same amount last year. They can stash a few players overseas, but that's too many young players for a 12-man roster. ... My way-too-early preseason Top 10 for college football? So glad you asked ...
1. USC
2. Michigan
3. LSU
4. Texas
5. Florida
6. West Virginia
7. Virginia Tech
8. Wisconsin
9. Oklahoma
10. Ohio State
and just for fun ....
1. Appalachian State
2. Montana
3. North Dakota State
4. Northern Iowa
5. Youngstown State
6. New Hampshire
7. Massachusetts
8. James Madison
9. Cal Poly
10. Furman
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