As promised in an earlier blog, here's the completed version of my series on ACL injuries. Make sure to check out the video and interactive components, too.
We spent nearly six weeks from start to finish on this series, and my hope is county leaders began to take some serious proactive solutions to help curb this disturbing trend.
I'd also like to thank the athletes, coaches and doctors I talked to for being incredibly helpful.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Speedy Statesville
Monday's soccer match between Statesville and Mooresville may have been the most entertaining game I have covered during the spring season.
The Greyhounds - who start six sophomores and three freshmen - defeated Mooresville, the No. 8 ranked team in the state, 3-2 by using some incredible team speed.
That's what made the game so entertaining. Statesville's girls were flying all over the field, tracking down loose balls and ripping shot after shot. While the Blue Devils couldn't match that speed, they were the more technically sound squad, so those two dynamics really played out over the course of the game.
Statesville will either be the No. 3 or No. 4 team from the North Piedmont 3A to make the playoffs and they'll play on the road against one of the top teams from another conference. The Greyhounds will be underdogs, but like the team showed Monday, they can pull an upset by running the other team ragged.
The Greyhounds - who start six sophomores and three freshmen - defeated Mooresville, the No. 8 ranked team in the state, 3-2 by using some incredible team speed.
That's what made the game so entertaining. Statesville's girls were flying all over the field, tracking down loose balls and ripping shot after shot. While the Blue Devils couldn't match that speed, they were the more technically sound squad, so those two dynamics really played out over the course of the game.
Statesville will either be the No. 3 or No. 4 team from the North Piedmont 3A to make the playoffs and they'll play on the road against one of the top teams from another conference. The Greyhounds will be underdogs, but like the team showed Monday, they can pull an upset by running the other team ragged.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Wanted: More bulk
The NFL draft is nearly a week away, and I just realized I haven't made a post on it yet. I'm the ultimate NFL draft nerd - buy preview magazines, get the day off work, load up on cheese dip and Diet Mountain Dew (although the cheese dip kind of defeats the purpose of diet soda, no?).
I haven't gotten into draft news and rumors as much as I have in the past. A lot of that has to do with being busy at work, and I also got really into the NCAA tournament this year.
But it's time to address some of the issues the hometown Carolina Panthers face this draft. This certainly could be a make-or-break year for general manager Marty Hurney and head coach John Fox, so it's important they make prudent decision and get no less than three players who will somehow contribute right away, either as a starter or key reserve.
The biggest needs are on the offensive and defensive lines. I'm a big believer in "winning the battle in the trenches," or whatever else you want to call it. If you look at recent teams that advanced to the Super Bowl, they all had good lines. The last - and only - time Carolina advanced to the Super Bowl, it had perhaps the best defensive line in football and a top-10 offensive line.
After a tremendously disappointing year from DE Julius Peppers and an unclear picture on the offensive line, that's where the Panthers should go in the draft.
I think the best pick for them is Boise State tackle Ryan Clady. He's a natural left tackle, which means Jordan Gross stays at right tackle. That would push Travelle Wharton back inside to guard and create some healthy competition for the offensive line's interior. Chris Williams from Vanderbilt or Jeff Otah from Pittsburgh wouldn't be bad picks, but ideally Carolina would like to trade down and get them.
Another intriguing prospect is Derrick Harvey, the defensive end from Florida. He's had a few phenomenal workouts - save for a pretty slow 40 time - and a solid career at Florida. Harvey, combined with Charles Johnson, Stanley McClover and Tyler Braton, would give the Panthers plenty of options for the second defensive end. Harvey, though, is one of those workout wonders, and that sometimes doesn't translate to on-the-field production.
Then there's the dark horse pick, someone like RB Rashard Mendenhall or even RB Jonathan Stewart. I wouldn't have a problem with those picks, as either one would likely get significant carries next season.
I haven't gotten into draft news and rumors as much as I have in the past. A lot of that has to do with being busy at work, and I also got really into the NCAA tournament this year.
But it's time to address some of the issues the hometown Carolina Panthers face this draft. This certainly could be a make-or-break year for general manager Marty Hurney and head coach John Fox, so it's important they make prudent decision and get no less than three players who will somehow contribute right away, either as a starter or key reserve.
The biggest needs are on the offensive and defensive lines. I'm a big believer in "winning the battle in the trenches," or whatever else you want to call it. If you look at recent teams that advanced to the Super Bowl, they all had good lines. The last - and only - time Carolina advanced to the Super Bowl, it had perhaps the best defensive line in football and a top-10 offensive line.
After a tremendously disappointing year from DE Julius Peppers and an unclear picture on the offensive line, that's where the Panthers should go in the draft.
I think the best pick for them is Boise State tackle Ryan Clady. He's a natural left tackle, which means Jordan Gross stays at right tackle. That would push Travelle Wharton back inside to guard and create some healthy competition for the offensive line's interior. Chris Williams from Vanderbilt or Jeff Otah from Pittsburgh wouldn't be bad picks, but ideally Carolina would like to trade down and get them.
Another intriguing prospect is Derrick Harvey, the defensive end from Florida. He's had a few phenomenal workouts - save for a pretty slow 40 time - and a solid career at Florida. Harvey, combined with Charles Johnson, Stanley McClover and Tyler Braton, would give the Panthers plenty of options for the second defensive end. Harvey, though, is one of those workout wonders, and that sometimes doesn't translate to on-the-field production.
Then there's the dark horse pick, someone like RB Rashard Mendenhall or even RB Jonathan Stewart. I wouldn't have a problem with those picks, as either one would likely get significant carries next season.
Monday, April 14, 2008
County thoughts
Thanks for hanging in there, folks. My two weeks working on the ACL-tear series turned into a solid month of work. I'm OK with that, though, because it's a huge subject with tons of different angles, and I think it's important to document everything correctly.
That series of stories will run April 20 and 21, and I'll make sure to post links here. In the meantime, I've gotten out of the office a little bit recently to check out some spring sports.
Mooresville baseball
Hands down the best baseball team in the county. The Blue Devils have supplemented their fantastic pitching with timely hits and are dangerous throughout the lineup. Ten wins in a row is no fluke, but Mooresville has a humongous week ahead with games against East Rowan (unbeaten in conference) and Northwest Cabarrus (beat Blue Devils in first meeting).
North Iredell soccer
Some good talent, as always, but a little thin this year. Head coach Tim Watson has 22 total players in the program, which means - like this year's boys season - he can't field a JV team. Injuries have hit the Raiders hard, though. Midfielder Jana Bell, perhaps the best player on the team, is out for the season with a torn ACL and North also has a few injuries on defense. Goalkeeper Kawoni Revels has been superb at times, and North should still contend for a playoff spot.
Mooresville soccer
Fantastic team, especially offensively. Freshmen Courtney Smith and Hannah Mack can flat-out play, but it's the senior leadership of girls like Anna Dwiggins, Brittney Dailey, Emmie Tyson and Tiffany Wilson that has the Blue Devils ranked No. 4 in the state among 3A teams.
South Iredell baseball
Slowly improving, but must learn how to win close games. Sophomore Chris Dula hurled a no-hitter in his starting pitching debut at the varsity level, so let's see how that translates into potential wins.
THE WEEK AHEAD
I'm looking forward to going to the county track meet Tuesday. Hopefully the weather will cooperate - I can tolerate being a bit chilly so long as the sun is out. Mooresville's boys, the defending 3A state champions, are certainly the favorite and it might take an act of God for them to lose.
The girls' side should be a bit more balanced out, but the Blue Devils and Statesville have to be the favorites. Don't sleep on North Iredell, though. The Raiders are small, but have great athletes. South Iredell's girls team isn't big enough to seriously challenge for the meet title, I don't think, but they could win at least four events.
That series of stories will run April 20 and 21, and I'll make sure to post links here. In the meantime, I've gotten out of the office a little bit recently to check out some spring sports.
Mooresville baseball
Hands down the best baseball team in the county. The Blue Devils have supplemented their fantastic pitching with timely hits and are dangerous throughout the lineup. Ten wins in a row is no fluke, but Mooresville has a humongous week ahead with games against East Rowan (unbeaten in conference) and Northwest Cabarrus (beat Blue Devils in first meeting).
North Iredell soccer
Some good talent, as always, but a little thin this year. Head coach Tim Watson has 22 total players in the program, which means - like this year's boys season - he can't field a JV team. Injuries have hit the Raiders hard, though. Midfielder Jana Bell, perhaps the best player on the team, is out for the season with a torn ACL and North also has a few injuries on defense. Goalkeeper Kawoni Revels has been superb at times, and North should still contend for a playoff spot.
Mooresville soccer
Fantastic team, especially offensively. Freshmen Courtney Smith and Hannah Mack can flat-out play, but it's the senior leadership of girls like Anna Dwiggins, Brittney Dailey, Emmie Tyson and Tiffany Wilson that has the Blue Devils ranked No. 4 in the state among 3A teams.
South Iredell baseball
Slowly improving, but must learn how to win close games. Sophomore Chris Dula hurled a no-hitter in his starting pitching debut at the varsity level, so let's see how that translates into potential wins.
THE WEEK AHEAD
I'm looking forward to going to the county track meet Tuesday. Hopefully the weather will cooperate - I can tolerate being a bit chilly so long as the sun is out. Mooresville's boys, the defending 3A state champions, are certainly the favorite and it might take an act of God for them to lose.
The girls' side should be a bit more balanced out, but the Blue Devils and Statesville have to be the favorites. Don't sleep on North Iredell, though. The Raiders are small, but have great athletes. South Iredell's girls team isn't big enough to seriously challenge for the meet title, I don't think, but they could win at least four events.
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