Pete Sampras interview
Here's a transcript of the telephone conversation I had with 14-time Grand Slam tennis champion Pete Sampras on Wednesday in anticipation of Saturday night's exhibition match against Todd Martin at the Columbus Civic Center. Often criticized for not being emotional enough on the court, Sampras seems to be exactly what you would expect: cerebral, articulate and, above all, incredibly polite.
Question: What made you want to do the exhibition matches? Do you use it as a competitive outlet or is it a way to stay connected to your fans?
Sampras: ‘‘A little bit of everything. I still enjoy playing, but I don't play a ton of exhibitions. It (the Martin exhibition in Jacksonville, Fla., and Columbus) kind of happened last minute. It's a way to get a few matches under the belt and shake off the rust (before a Monday night exhibition against top-ranked Roger Federer in New York City). (Todd Martin) is a good friend, but part of it is you want to entertain the people.’’
Question: How seriously will you treat this exhibition, especially with Federer coming up in a couple days? Will you bother taking off your Rolex? Will it be geared more toward showmanship and shot-making?
Sampras: ‘‘People want to see real tennis. We’ll play hard, we’ll play for real. There's a sort of lighter side, but once the ball is in the air we'll play the points.’’
Question: You went 1-2 against Federer in your exhibition tour of Asia last year, which sent a pretty strong message for a retired guy since he rarely loses. Does playing him again get your competitive juices going?
Sampras: ‘‘Obviously, he's on autopilot the way he's going. Roger is expected to beat me. For me, I don't play any matches. It's about trying to find some rhythm and confidence as we go.’’
Question: But you still beat Federer the last time you played him. Does that make you re-think the whole idea of retirement?
Sampras: ‘‘No, not realistically. I’m curious to see how I might do at Wimbledon. But the day in, day out grind of tennis (makes a comeback unlikely). I was listening to what Brett Favre said the other day and how he said he was tired. It's the day in, day out grind of the sport. Once I got to a point where I had nothing left to prove to myself, that's when I knew I could walk away from it.’’
Question: Does being the parent to two sons change your priorities?
Sampras: ‘‘I went from retirement to being a father and it takes up your time and responsibility. My wife (actress Bridgette Wilson) was for me keeping on going. If I decided to come back, she’d be supportive. I don't feel that pressure that I need to be at home because I'm a dad now. You can still be a top-ranked player and be a father, but I enjoy being at home and seeing my kids.’’
Question: You were 19 when you one your first Grand Slam (1990 U.S. Open). How difficult was it to manage the sudden crush of celebrity and the expectations that came with that?
Sampras: ‘‘Initially, the next three or four months I struggled with the expectations, the pressure, even my security as a man. I had a few holes in my game. All of a sudden I was thrown into this celebrity status and I wasn't ready for it. I was kind of thrown into a cage of lions. I wasn't ready for it, I wasn't used to it. I went through some bumps along the way. It was a matter of time and maturity, being around the media, being around people, learning how to deal with some wins and losses. It took some time. When you win that major that young, you did something great, but it definitely changes your life. It took some time for me to get comfortable in my own skin.’’
Question: It seemed like you received a lot of criticism early in your career for being introverted and for being the antithesis of Andre Agassi at that time. At the same time, do you think your success was a by-product of being very private and kind of having tunnel-vision when it came to competing?
Sampras: ‘‘I've analyzed it and looked back at it. I lived in Florida for many of the years I was on top. ... I wasn't in the mainstream media much. I played my majors and played my events and went back to Florida. My friends called me Howard Hughes. I was training hard. In one way, it probably hurt my marketability and exposure, but it kept me together and kept me focused on what I wanted to do. It's kind of a Catch-22, but at the same time, I was all about winning majors. I didn't want to have a P.R. person having me flying around doing all these shows. I just kind of kept myself in the house and was pretty private.’’
Question: You kind of defined a Golden Age for American tennis. How much do you think you think the timing of your arrival factored into your success? You had guys like Andre Agassi, Jim Courier and Michael Chang out there at the same time.
Sampras: ‘‘Having those guys, those young Americans, kind of pushed me harder. I also learned a lot from the servers and volleyers like (Boris) Becker and (Stefan) Edberg. They all pushed one another.’’
Question: How much have you enjoyed the exhibitions against Federer and do you feel you guys share some of the same traits?
Sampras: ‘‘It's been fun and he's a great, great player. He possesses a big serve and moves great and does incredible things on the run. He can come in a little bit if he wants. There's nothing he can't do. We (both) kept it simple and weren't too brash or abrasive out there. I'm a fan of his game and him as a guy. He's very humble and understated. He lets his racquet do the talking.’’
Question: You mentioned that it took some time for you to become comfortable in your skin. It seems like the more bombastic an athlete is, the more attention he or she gets. When people called you ‘boring,’ did it bother you?
Sampras: ‘‘I did stay true to myself and didn't change as much as some folks in the media wanted. Some folks at Nike wanted me to act in a different way. I wasn't going to sell out. I'm an athlete in the purest form. I'm not going to create something that's insincere. I don't think Roger (Federer) is like that either. There's not a lot of horns and whistles there. I've always liked the understated.’’
Question: When you learned you were going to play an exhibition in Columbus were you surprised at all about the location? And did you need to look at a map?
Sampras: ‘‘It's funny. My brother (Gus) manages me and we were trying to set up a couple exhibitions in the Southeast. He said there's one in Jacksonville, one in Columbus. How many Columbuses are there in the country?’’
Friday, March 07, 2008
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Think they'll draft a QB?
Around and around they go in the NFL's version of the revolving door.
Michael Vick stepped in and came out the other side in manacles, bound for federal prison. Byron Leftwich entered it, but got chewed up and unceremoniously spat out after two starts.
We're talking about the Atlanta Falcons' starting quarterback job, of course, which may be an undertaking more hazardous than sailing through the Bermuda Triangle. This has become the sort of job where careers go to die.
Joey Harrington became the latest casualty when the Falcons released him Wednesday after one uninspiring season that included 10 starts, seven touchdown passes, eight interceptions and multiple benchings.
This leaves Atlanta with Chris Redman and D.J. Shockley and makes it a certainty that the franchise will use one of its draft picks to select a quarterback.
There's been much speculation that Boston College's Matt Ryan could be the guy at the No. 3 spot in the first round. If I'm calling the shot, I pass on him and take Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long to improve a weak offensive line. Now that Michael Turner has been signed, there's no need to think about Arkansas tailback Darren McFadden, the best pure talent in the draft.
Here's what gives me pauses about Ryan: He's not especially mobile and he surrendered 19 interceptions as a senior. Yes, he engineered some nice comebacks in college and possesses a presence. But the Falcons would be better served to first strengthen their line play (offensive or defensive) and secure a quarterback later in the draft.
If the Falcons trade DeAngelo Hall and get another first round pick out of it, there's a possibility of grabbing Delaware's Joe Flacco, who drew raves at the NFL combine and the Senior Bowl. Beyond him, a player like Tennessee's Erik Ainge might represent the next best option.
Around and around they go in the NFL's version of the revolving door.
Michael Vick stepped in and came out the other side in manacles, bound for federal prison. Byron Leftwich entered it, but got chewed up and unceremoniously spat out after two starts.
We're talking about the Atlanta Falcons' starting quarterback job, of course, which may be an undertaking more hazardous than sailing through the Bermuda Triangle. This has become the sort of job where careers go to die.
Joey Harrington became the latest casualty when the Falcons released him Wednesday after one uninspiring season that included 10 starts, seven touchdown passes, eight interceptions and multiple benchings.
This leaves Atlanta with Chris Redman and D.J. Shockley and makes it a certainty that the franchise will use one of its draft picks to select a quarterback.
There's been much speculation that Boston College's Matt Ryan could be the guy at the No. 3 spot in the first round. If I'm calling the shot, I pass on him and take Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long to improve a weak offensive line. Now that Michael Turner has been signed, there's no need to think about Arkansas tailback Darren McFadden, the best pure talent in the draft.
Here's what gives me pauses about Ryan: He's not especially mobile and he surrendered 19 interceptions as a senior. Yes, he engineered some nice comebacks in college and possesses a presence. But the Falcons would be better served to first strengthen their line play (offensive or defensive) and secure a quarterback later in the draft.
If the Falcons trade DeAngelo Hall and get another first round pick out of it, there's a possibility of grabbing Delaware's Joe Flacco, who drew raves at the NFL combine and the Senior Bowl. Beyond him, a player like Tennessee's Erik Ainge might represent the next best option.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Pistol Pete content in retirement
Just finished a telephone interview with 14-time Grand Slam tennis champion Pete Sampras, who will be playing an exhibition against Todd Martin Saturday night at the Columbus Civic Center.
While Sampras claims he picks up his raquet infrequently these days, he still puts it to good use. In addition to beating world No. 1 and possible Grand Slam record heir Roger Federer in an exhibition in Asia last year, he soundly thrashed top-20 pro Tommy Haas 6-4, 6-2 last month at an event in San Jose, Calif.
Sampras insisted in 2003 that he would remain ''100 percent'' retired, but I thought that me be worth revisiting since it's obvious his skills have remained largely intact.
"I enjoy being at home and seeing my kids (5-year-old Christian and 2-year-old Ryan),'' Sampras told me.
Not to mention the fact that he also gets to spend time with his lovely wife, actress Bridgette Wilson.
Sampras admitted there are days when he wonders what it would be like to lace up his sneakers for a Grand Slam event.
"I'd be curious to see how I might do at Wimbledon,'' he said.
But don't take that as any sort of hint that he's contemplating a comeback. He said former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre put the grind of being an elite athlete into perspective when he announced his retirement the other day.
"I was listening to what Brett Favre said about being tired,'' Sampras said. "It's the day in, day out grind of the sport. Once I got to a point where I had nothing left to prove to myself, that's when I knew I could walk away from it.''
You'll be able to hear more from Pistol Pete in the column I'm constructing for Thursday morning's Ledger-Enquirer. As all Troy's Noise fanatics know (I've heard there actually are some outside my immediate family), you'll be able to find it at www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports
Just finished a telephone interview with 14-time Grand Slam tennis champion Pete Sampras, who will be playing an exhibition against Todd Martin Saturday night at the Columbus Civic Center.
While Sampras claims he picks up his raquet infrequently these days, he still puts it to good use. In addition to beating world No. 1 and possible Grand Slam record heir Roger Federer in an exhibition in Asia last year, he soundly thrashed top-20 pro Tommy Haas 6-4, 6-2 last month at an event in San Jose, Calif.
Sampras insisted in 2003 that he would remain ''100 percent'' retired, but I thought that me be worth revisiting since it's obvious his skills have remained largely intact.
"I enjoy being at home and seeing my kids (5-year-old Christian and 2-year-old Ryan),'' Sampras told me.
Not to mention the fact that he also gets to spend time with his lovely wife, actress Bridgette Wilson.
Sampras admitted there are days when he wonders what it would be like to lace up his sneakers for a Grand Slam event.
"I'd be curious to see how I might do at Wimbledon,'' he said.
But don't take that as any sort of hint that he's contemplating a comeback. He said former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre put the grind of being an elite athlete into perspective when he announced his retirement the other day.
"I was listening to what Brett Favre said about being tired,'' Sampras said. "It's the day in, day out grind of the sport. Once I got to a point where I had nothing left to prove to myself, that's when I knew I could walk away from it.''
You'll be able to hear more from Pistol Pete in the column I'm constructing for Thursday morning's Ledger-Enquirer. As all Troy's Noise fanatics know (I've heard there actually are some outside my immediate family), you'll be able to find it at www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports
Keep an eye on Colby
Former Russell County High School baseball star Colby Rasmus appears ready to skip a rung on professional baseball's promotional ladder.
After making the climb from Class A to Double-A the last two seasons, Rasmus has a very real shot at making the St. Louis Cardinals' opening day roster.
The 21-year-old drove in both St. Louis runs in a 10-2 loss to Baltimore on Tuesday and raised some eyebrows with a solo homer.
Not that such production isn't expected. Rasmus, the 28th player taken in the 2005 draft, is ranked by Baseball America as the top prospect in the St. Louis farm system and the fifth-best prospect in all of baseball. He's the two-time reigning Minor League Player of the Year in the Cardinals' organization, based on his precocious performances in Double-A (.275, 29 homers, 72 RBI) and Class A Springfield (.288, 16 homers, 85 RBI).
While Rasmus faces competition from six other outfielders, he's already made a favorable impression on St. Louis manager Tony La Russa.
"Some of our older scouts, who are tough to convince, think he has the right stuff,'' La Russa told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "He wouldn't be in a 1 p.m. game if he wasn't somebody that we want to evaluate against major league players. With him, it isn't so much a question of it but when he will be ready.''
Sounds like the when portion of the equation is close to being solved.
Former Russell County High School baseball star Colby Rasmus appears ready to skip a rung on professional baseball's promotional ladder.
After making the climb from Class A to Double-A the last two seasons, Rasmus has a very real shot at making the St. Louis Cardinals' opening day roster.
The 21-year-old drove in both St. Louis runs in a 10-2 loss to Baltimore on Tuesday and raised some eyebrows with a solo homer.
Not that such production isn't expected. Rasmus, the 28th player taken in the 2005 draft, is ranked by Baseball America as the top prospect in the St. Louis farm system and the fifth-best prospect in all of baseball. He's the two-time reigning Minor League Player of the Year in the Cardinals' organization, based on his precocious performances in Double-A (.275, 29 homers, 72 RBI) and Class A Springfield (.288, 16 homers, 85 RBI).
While Rasmus faces competition from six other outfielders, he's already made a favorable impression on St. Louis manager Tony La Russa.
"Some of our older scouts, who are tough to convince, think he has the right stuff,'' La Russa told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "He wouldn't be in a 1 p.m. game if he wasn't somebody that we want to evaluate against major league players. With him, it isn't so much a question of it but when he will be ready.''
Sounds like the when portion of the equation is close to being solved.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Uh ... congratulations?
An e-mail from Auburn's athletic department just popped into my inbox and the subject line caught my attention.
''AUBURN BASEBALL: Burnside And Greinke Placed On Clemens Watch List''
Two thoughts: What exactly is the Clemens Watch List and does Henry A. Waxman, the chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, keep track of it.
If you happen to play baseball, it's fair to say Clemens happens to be a name with which you do not want to be associated at this moment. Apparently, the Greater Houston Baseball Association is undaunted by Congress' interested in whether a former trainer plunged a syringe into Roger Clemens' buttocks.
They present the Roger Clemens Award, which goes to an outstanding college baseball pitcher of their choosing.
Anyway, the Greater Houston Baseball Association selected Auburn right-handers Paul Burnside and Luke Greinke to be on the 78-player ''watch list'' for the 2008 Roger Clemens Award.
Rumor has it the winner of the award will be honored with a party at Jose Canseco's mansion.
An e-mail from Auburn's athletic department just popped into my inbox and the subject line caught my attention.
''AUBURN BASEBALL: Burnside And Greinke Placed On Clemens Watch List''
Two thoughts: What exactly is the Clemens Watch List and does Henry A. Waxman, the chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, keep track of it.
If you happen to play baseball, it's fair to say Clemens happens to be a name with which you do not want to be associated at this moment. Apparently, the Greater Houston Baseball Association is undaunted by Congress' interested in whether a former trainer plunged a syringe into Roger Clemens' buttocks.
They present the Roger Clemens Award, which goes to an outstanding college baseball pitcher of their choosing.
Anyway, the Greater Houston Baseball Association selected Auburn right-handers Paul Burnside and Luke Greinke to be on the 78-player ''watch list'' for the 2008 Roger Clemens Award.
Rumor has it the winner of the award will be honored with a party at Jose Canseco's mansion.
One more footnote on Favre
Man, the Atlanta Falcons sure look smart for not keeping Brett Favre around long enough for him to mess up the franchise.
Just kidding.
In all seriousness, though, consider the destiny-altering implications of Atlanta's trade of Favre to the Green Bay Packers.
Atlanta selected Favre in the second round of the 1991 draft. He was the third quarterback chosen, a stupifyingly astounding possibility because of the two stiffs whose names were called ahead of his.
Hello, Lost and Found? Anybody turn in a Dan McGwire or a Todd Marinovich in the last 24 hours?
Naturally, the Falcons had no idea that a future Hall of Famer had landed in their laps. Their failing in this case involved an appalling lack of patience with a young quarterback. The first of the four passes he threw as a rookie was an interception. Perhaps thinking it an omen of things to come, the Falcons traded Favre to Green Bay in the offseason for a first-round pick and made what turned out to be one of, if not the most, lopsided trades in NFL history.
Guess what? It did not turn out well for Atlanta.
The Falcons wound up trading the first-round pick to Dallas. The Cowboys used it to obtain cornerback Kevin Smith, a solid contributor who earned All-Pro honors one season and played on three Super Bowl teams. The Falcons received the 19th and 104th overall picks and used them to obtain Southern Miss running back Tony Smith and Baylor defensive back Frankie Smith. Leave it to Atlanta to find the Smiths who can't play.
As for Favre, well, he did OK for himself. He retired Tuesday as the NFL's all-time leader in passing yards, touchdown passes, completions, attempts and victories by a starting quarterback. He also played in his last 253 regular season games (275 in a row counting the postseason), both of which are records for a starting QB. He also guided Green Bay to a victory in Super Bowl XXXI, played in nine Pro Bowls and earned three league MVP trophies.
Given his longevity and amazing productivity, it's worth wondering how different the last 17 years might have been for the Falcons if they had exercised more patience with him.
Man, the Atlanta Falcons sure look smart for not keeping Brett Favre around long enough for him to mess up the franchise.
Just kidding.
In all seriousness, though, consider the destiny-altering implications of Atlanta's trade of Favre to the Green Bay Packers.
Atlanta selected Favre in the second round of the 1991 draft. He was the third quarterback chosen, a stupifyingly astounding possibility because of the two stiffs whose names were called ahead of his.
Hello, Lost and Found? Anybody turn in a Dan McGwire or a Todd Marinovich in the last 24 hours?
Naturally, the Falcons had no idea that a future Hall of Famer had landed in their laps. Their failing in this case involved an appalling lack of patience with a young quarterback. The first of the four passes he threw as a rookie was an interception. Perhaps thinking it an omen of things to come, the Falcons traded Favre to Green Bay in the offseason for a first-round pick and made what turned out to be one of, if not the most, lopsided trades in NFL history.
Guess what? It did not turn out well for Atlanta.
The Falcons wound up trading the first-round pick to Dallas. The Cowboys used it to obtain cornerback Kevin Smith, a solid contributor who earned All-Pro honors one season and played on three Super Bowl teams. The Falcons received the 19th and 104th overall picks and used them to obtain Southern Miss running back Tony Smith and Baylor defensive back Frankie Smith. Leave it to Atlanta to find the Smiths who can't play.
As for Favre, well, he did OK for himself. He retired Tuesday as the NFL's all-time leader in passing yards, touchdown passes, completions, attempts and victories by a starting quarterback. He also played in his last 253 regular season games (275 in a row counting the postseason), both of which are records for a starting QB. He also guided Green Bay to a victory in Super Bowl XXXI, played in nine Pro Bowls and earned three league MVP trophies.
Given his longevity and amazing productivity, it's worth wondering how different the last 17 years might have been for the Falcons if they had exercised more patience with him.
This time, he really means it
When the Green Bay Packers’ official team Web site recently posted a ‘‘Favre retires’’ headline, it caused a panic in Cheesehead Nation.
The headline vanished into the Internet ether once concerned fans started bombaring the franchise’s switchboard.
False alarm, team officials said. They blamed it on a software glitch and said that the headline was part of a template created just in case quarterback Brett Favre called it quits in the near or distant future.
Besides, it wasn't as if Favre hadn't flirted with the idea on occasion these last few years. Remember his emotional post-game TV interview in 2006, when his tears were nearly frozen to his face as he walked off the field in Chicago? Given some of the late-game magic he engineered in his career, a comeback shouldn't have been especially surprising.
It would have been perfectly reasonable for him to continue playing on after leading the Packers to the NFC championship game in January, but Favre wasn’t kidding when he confirmed his retirement on Tuesday.
Besides, at 38 and with 17 seasons, three MVP awards, a Super Bowl ring and several NFL records to his credit, he’s earned the right to rest on his laurels.
The question now is where he ranks among the all-time greats.
He broke Dan Marino’s record for most career touchdown passes (442), John Elway’s mark for most career victories by a starting QB (160) and became the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards (61,655), completions (5,377) and attempts (8,758).
My all-time list of favorite QBs would look like this:
1. Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers
2. Favre
3. Terry Bradshaw, Pittsburgh Steelers (chrome dome, wobbly spirals and a winner's edge)
4. Bart Starr, Green Bay Packers (his stats aren't anywhere close to the top three, but he epitomized the term ''field general.'')
5. Elway, Denver Broncos
6. Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins (he threw a beautiful deep ball)
7. Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts (flat tops and high-top black cleats should never have gone out of style)
8. Joe Namath, New York Jets (Who would you rather have as a wingman and whose leftovers would you rather land? Namath's or Tom Brady's? Flip a coin)
9. Archie Manning, New Orleans Saints (great player on an awful team)
10. Joe Theismann, Washington Redskins (only because I'm a Redskins fan)
If we're talking about best quarterbacks of all-time, then Brady and Peyton Manning would naturally bump some of my favorites out of the top 10. But Brady and Manning already have most everything -- money, looks, fame, etc. -- so they'll have to live with me keeping them out of my top 10. It's about time somebody said no to them.
Who are your favorite NFL quarterbacks of all-time? Where does Favre rank?
When the Green Bay Packers’ official team Web site recently posted a ‘‘Favre retires’’ headline, it caused a panic in Cheesehead Nation.
The headline vanished into the Internet ether once concerned fans started bombaring the franchise’s switchboard.
False alarm, team officials said. They blamed it on a software glitch and said that the headline was part of a template created just in case quarterback Brett Favre called it quits in the near or distant future.
Besides, it wasn't as if Favre hadn't flirted with the idea on occasion these last few years. Remember his emotional post-game TV interview in 2006, when his tears were nearly frozen to his face as he walked off the field in Chicago? Given some of the late-game magic he engineered in his career, a comeback shouldn't have been especially surprising.
It would have been perfectly reasonable for him to continue playing on after leading the Packers to the NFC championship game in January, but Favre wasn’t kidding when he confirmed his retirement on Tuesday.
Besides, at 38 and with 17 seasons, three MVP awards, a Super Bowl ring and several NFL records to his credit, he’s earned the right to rest on his laurels.
The question now is where he ranks among the all-time greats.
He broke Dan Marino’s record for most career touchdown passes (442), John Elway’s mark for most career victories by a starting QB (160) and became the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards (61,655), completions (5,377) and attempts (8,758).
My all-time list of favorite QBs would look like this:
1. Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers
2. Favre
3. Terry Bradshaw, Pittsburgh Steelers (chrome dome, wobbly spirals and a winner's edge)
4. Bart Starr, Green Bay Packers (his stats aren't anywhere close to the top three, but he epitomized the term ''field general.'')
5. Elway, Denver Broncos
6. Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins (he threw a beautiful deep ball)
7. Johnny Unitas, Baltimore Colts (flat tops and high-top black cleats should never have gone out of style)
8. Joe Namath, New York Jets (Who would you rather have as a wingman and whose leftovers would you rather land? Namath's or Tom Brady's? Flip a coin)
9. Archie Manning, New Orleans Saints (great player on an awful team)
10. Joe Theismann, Washington Redskins (only because I'm a Redskins fan)
If we're talking about best quarterbacks of all-time, then Brady and Peyton Manning would naturally bump some of my favorites out of the top 10. But Brady and Manning already have most everything -- money, looks, fame, etc. -- so they'll have to live with me keeping them out of my top 10. It's about time somebody said no to them.
Who are your favorite NFL quarterbacks of all-time? Where does Favre rank?
Monday, March 03, 2008
Falcons Dunn with veteran
Warrick Dunn should have seen this day coming since the end of the regular season, but that couldn’t have made it any easier for a player so readily identified with the Atlanta Falcons and universally lauded as the one component the franchise could count on amid last year's turmoil.
The Falcons released the 11-year veteran running back on Monday, one day after signing free agent Michael Turner to a six-year contract.
While the 33-year-old Dunn ranks fourth among the NFL’s active running backs with 10,181 yards, the Falcons’ decision was as necessary as it was unfortunate. The organization requires radical reinvention and reassembly with new pieces.
The diminutive Dunn gained 720 yards last season, but averaged a mere 3.2 yards per carry behind a patchwork offensive line. Under new offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, the Falcons will require a bruising between-the-tackles back to complement speedster Jerious Norwood. In signing Turner, who averaged 5.2 yards per carry as a backup in San Diego, the Falcons picked up a younger, more powerful back who could have another 10 seasons left on his career clock.
The only real downside for the Falcons is what they lose off the field by unloading Dunn. He represented a quiet, community-minded presence that seems all too rare in professional sports. While Dunn enjoyed three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in Atlanta, he conducted himself with humility and did everything possible to avoid the spotlight.
Here's what will endure about Dunn: In 2004, he received the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award. His charity work, which included the ''Home of the Holidays'' program that helped single parents become first-time home owners, stands as a testament to what he's about.
As good as Dunn's career numbers are, he may be a borderline candidate for enshrinement in Canton. However, there's no questioning his credentials as a hall of fame-caliber person.
Warrick Dunn should have seen this day coming since the end of the regular season, but that couldn’t have made it any easier for a player so readily identified with the Atlanta Falcons and universally lauded as the one component the franchise could count on amid last year's turmoil.
The Falcons released the 11-year veteran running back on Monday, one day after signing free agent Michael Turner to a six-year contract.
While the 33-year-old Dunn ranks fourth among the NFL’s active running backs with 10,181 yards, the Falcons’ decision was as necessary as it was unfortunate. The organization requires radical reinvention and reassembly with new pieces.
The diminutive Dunn gained 720 yards last season, but averaged a mere 3.2 yards per carry behind a patchwork offensive line. Under new offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, the Falcons will require a bruising between-the-tackles back to complement speedster Jerious Norwood. In signing Turner, who averaged 5.2 yards per carry as a backup in San Diego, the Falcons picked up a younger, more powerful back who could have another 10 seasons left on his career clock.
The only real downside for the Falcons is what they lose off the field by unloading Dunn. He represented a quiet, community-minded presence that seems all too rare in professional sports. While Dunn enjoyed three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in Atlanta, he conducted himself with humility and did everything possible to avoid the spotlight.
Here's what will endure about Dunn: In 2004, he received the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award. His charity work, which included the ''Home of the Holidays'' program that helped single parents become first-time home owners, stands as a testament to what he's about.
As good as Dunn's career numbers are, he may be a borderline candidate for enshrinement in Canton. However, there's no questioning his credentials as a hall of fame-caliber person.
Friday, February 29, 2008
ESPN Bobs for ratings
Quick, somebody nail down the chairs on the SportsCenter set, institute a 10-second delay on anything Bobby Knight utters into his microphone and put the lawyers on stand-by just in case 10 seconds aren't enough.
If you thought ESPN's coverage of college basketball was loud enough already with Dick Vitale assaulting our ear drums, buy some ear plugs and develop an affinity for the mute button.
ESPN’s announcement Thursday that it has hired Knight, the former Texas Tech and Indiana basketball coach who has won more games than anyone else in Division I history, means the network will soon ratchet up its decibels and perk up the ears of the FCC. Knight will make his debut on March 12 and work through April 7, a time line that will include on-site appearances from the NCAA Final Four in San Antonio. He'll also be seen and heard on SportsCenter, ESPNEWS and ESPN Radio.
This promises to be an interesting merger seeing as how Knight now becomes a member of the very sort of profession he loathes. He once described the media as ''one or two steps above prostitution.'' Do you suppose Knight still holds that view now that he's thrown himself on the mattress back-first?
Part of me thinks he could be quite good in his capacity with the big E. He'll obviously be able to provide keen insight into the how and why of basketball tactics. Plus, as the anti-Kelvin Sampson, a man who by all appearances ran a sterile program in terms of NCAA compliance, he could provide an occasional voice of reason regarding the era of done-in-one star players and renegade coaches.
At the same time, this sets up as a boom-or-bust decision for the network. If Knight reinvents himself as something other than an egomaniacal and verbally abusive curmudgeon, it could be the start of a strong second career for him. If he continues to be an egomaniacal and verbally abusive curmudgeon, well, it will likely mean a ratings boost for certain ESPN programs that could offset the damage of FCC fines.
Consider some of his highlights from years past:
* 1985 -- Knight goes bonkers during a game against Purdue, slinging a chair across the court to protest a referee's call and drawing a one-game suspension.
* 1988 -- Knight infuriates women's groups and establishes himself as a misogynist when, during an interview with Connie Chung, he says: "I think that if rape is inevitable, relax and enjoy it." Knight's comments were in reference to a game in which he felt officials made poor calls against his team.
* 1993 -- Knight catches flak for allegedly kicking his son, Pat, during an Indiana game. He later claims he kicked a chair instead (but at least he didn't throw it this time).
* 1995 -- Knight goes ballistic on an NCAA tournament volunteer after a first-round loss to Missouri. The volunteer, Rance Pugmire, had been erroneously told that Knight would not be attending his post-game press conference and relayed the information to the media. What followed serves as a timeless example of Knight in full tantrum mode:
"You've only got two people that are going to tell you I'm not going to be here. One is our SID (sports information director), and the other is me. Who the hell told you I wasn't going to be here? I'd like to know. Do you have any idea who it was?...Who?...They were from Indiana, right?...No, they weren't from Indiana, and you didn't get it from anybody from Indiana, did you?...No, I—I'll handle this the way I want to handle it now that I'm here. You (EXPLETIVE) it up to begin with. Now just sit there or leave. I don't give (EXPLETIVE) what you do. Now back to the game.''
There are more nuggets, but I'm tired of typing and you undoubtedly get the idea.
Given those examples, you have to wonder why ESPN thought it was a good idea to put Knight in front of an open microphone and an unblinking camera.
Quick, somebody nail down the chairs on the SportsCenter set, institute a 10-second delay on anything Bobby Knight utters into his microphone and put the lawyers on stand-by just in case 10 seconds aren't enough.
If you thought ESPN's coverage of college basketball was loud enough already with Dick Vitale assaulting our ear drums, buy some ear plugs and develop an affinity for the mute button.
ESPN’s announcement Thursday that it has hired Knight, the former Texas Tech and Indiana basketball coach who has won more games than anyone else in Division I history, means the network will soon ratchet up its decibels and perk up the ears of the FCC. Knight will make his debut on March 12 and work through April 7, a time line that will include on-site appearances from the NCAA Final Four in San Antonio. He'll also be seen and heard on SportsCenter, ESPNEWS and ESPN Radio.
This promises to be an interesting merger seeing as how Knight now becomes a member of the very sort of profession he loathes. He once described the media as ''one or two steps above prostitution.'' Do you suppose Knight still holds that view now that he's thrown himself on the mattress back-first?
Part of me thinks he could be quite good in his capacity with the big E. He'll obviously be able to provide keen insight into the how and why of basketball tactics. Plus, as the anti-Kelvin Sampson, a man who by all appearances ran a sterile program in terms of NCAA compliance, he could provide an occasional voice of reason regarding the era of done-in-one star players and renegade coaches.
At the same time, this sets up as a boom-or-bust decision for the network. If Knight reinvents himself as something other than an egomaniacal and verbally abusive curmudgeon, it could be the start of a strong second career for him. If he continues to be an egomaniacal and verbally abusive curmudgeon, well, it will likely mean a ratings boost for certain ESPN programs that could offset the damage of FCC fines.
Consider some of his highlights from years past:
* 1985 -- Knight goes bonkers during a game against Purdue, slinging a chair across the court to protest a referee's call and drawing a one-game suspension.
* 1988 -- Knight infuriates women's groups and establishes himself as a misogynist when, during an interview with Connie Chung, he says: "I think that if rape is inevitable, relax and enjoy it." Knight's comments were in reference to a game in which he felt officials made poor calls against his team.
* 1993 -- Knight catches flak for allegedly kicking his son, Pat, during an Indiana game. He later claims he kicked a chair instead (but at least he didn't throw it this time).
* 1995 -- Knight goes ballistic on an NCAA tournament volunteer after a first-round loss to Missouri. The volunteer, Rance Pugmire, had been erroneously told that Knight would not be attending his post-game press conference and relayed the information to the media. What followed serves as a timeless example of Knight in full tantrum mode:
"You've only got two people that are going to tell you I'm not going to be here. One is our SID (sports information director), and the other is me. Who the hell told you I wasn't going to be here? I'd like to know. Do you have any idea who it was?...Who?...They were from Indiana, right?...No, they weren't from Indiana, and you didn't get it from anybody from Indiana, did you?...No, I—I'll handle this the way I want to handle it now that I'm here. You (EXPLETIVE) it up to begin with. Now just sit there or leave. I don't give (EXPLETIVE) what you do. Now back to the game.''
There are more nuggets, but I'm tired of typing and you undoubtedly get the idea.
Given those examples, you have to wonder why ESPN thought it was a good idea to put Knight in front of an open microphone and an unblinking camera.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Another playoff perspective
Given Auburn's experience with the quirks of the Bowl Championship Series computers in 2004, it would be perfectly understandable if university director of athletics Jay Jacobs favored a playoff system for college football.
Find an Auburn man (or woman) who wouldn't have been in favor of one when the Tigers won the Southeastern Conference, ran the table at 13-0 and failed to get a seat at the head table reserved for the BCS title pairing. The Tigers may not have won the national championship, but they would have done something Oklahoma failed to in its 55-19 face plant against USC. And that would be to show a pulse.
But this blog is not intended as a referendum on what went wrong in 2004. USC was clearly a deserving national champ and Auburn finished No. 2, which isn't too shabby at all.
Since Jacobs visited the Ledger-Enquirer office Wednesday afternoon to discuss various developments and ongoing plans on the Auburn athletic program, I managed to squeeze in a few questions about issues affecting NCAA members and the Southeastern Conference.
SEC athletic directors are generally reluctant to criticize the BCS monstrosity since league commissioner Mike Slive happens to occupy a seat of power in that system. Plus, the league has won the last two BCS championship games (LSU over Ohio State this season and Florida over Ohio State the year before). Plus, university presidents tend to do most of the shouting for change. Witness the of outcry Georgia president Michael Adams and state legislators, who were peeved that the Bulldogs had to ''settle'' for a Sugar Bowl berth in January after failing to win their league.
Anyway, I asked Jacobs if he liked the idea Adams presented -- a playoff system confined to eight teams. Jacobs would instead prefer uniformity in determining conference championships.
"I am not for the playoff as everybody talks about it,’’ Jacobs said. ''What I'd like to see first is that every conference has a championship game first. Let's pair those people up. It's not the same. When you have the last two national champions come out of the SEC because they won their conference championship, that's pretty strong. That's pretty sporty. The first step is that everybody needs to have a conference championship.''
It's unlikely that, say, the Sun Belt or Western Athletic Conference would ever become viable members of such a mix. However, it's laughable that the Big 10 and Pac-10 don't play a league title game when the SEC, ACC and Big 12 do.
"If we're going to have any type of playoff, let's have a playoff in the league first. Then, the next step for me would be a plus-one,'' Jacobs said.
Jacobs' concept makes sense because it would allow for the preservation of the bowl system and prevent the season from being lengthened to 15 or so games by a lengthy playoff.
"Having played in this league and gone to a bunch of bowl games, there's nothing like the experience for a student-athlete,'' said Jacobs, a former walk-on offensive lineman at Auburn who eventually started for a No. 3-ranked team as a senior. "The other thing is there's no way that my parents could have afforded to follow me around to two or three cities in December and January.''
Given Auburn's experience with the quirks of the Bowl Championship Series computers in 2004, it would be perfectly understandable if university director of athletics Jay Jacobs favored a playoff system for college football.
Find an Auburn man (or woman) who wouldn't have been in favor of one when the Tigers won the Southeastern Conference, ran the table at 13-0 and failed to get a seat at the head table reserved for the BCS title pairing. The Tigers may not have won the national championship, but they would have done something Oklahoma failed to in its 55-19 face plant against USC. And that would be to show a pulse.
But this blog is not intended as a referendum on what went wrong in 2004. USC was clearly a deserving national champ and Auburn finished No. 2, which isn't too shabby at all.
Since Jacobs visited the Ledger-Enquirer office Wednesday afternoon to discuss various developments and ongoing plans on the Auburn athletic program, I managed to squeeze in a few questions about issues affecting NCAA members and the Southeastern Conference.
SEC athletic directors are generally reluctant to criticize the BCS monstrosity since league commissioner Mike Slive happens to occupy a seat of power in that system. Plus, the league has won the last two BCS championship games (LSU over Ohio State this season and Florida over Ohio State the year before). Plus, university presidents tend to do most of the shouting for change. Witness the of outcry Georgia president Michael Adams and state legislators, who were peeved that the Bulldogs had to ''settle'' for a Sugar Bowl berth in January after failing to win their league.
Anyway, I asked Jacobs if he liked the idea Adams presented -- a playoff system confined to eight teams. Jacobs would instead prefer uniformity in determining conference championships.
"I am not for the playoff as everybody talks about it,’’ Jacobs said. ''What I'd like to see first is that every conference has a championship game first. Let's pair those people up. It's not the same. When you have the last two national champions come out of the SEC because they won their conference championship, that's pretty strong. That's pretty sporty. The first step is that everybody needs to have a conference championship.''
It's unlikely that, say, the Sun Belt or Western Athletic Conference would ever become viable members of such a mix. However, it's laughable that the Big 10 and Pac-10 don't play a league title game when the SEC, ACC and Big 12 do.
"If we're going to have any type of playoff, let's have a playoff in the league first. Then, the next step for me would be a plus-one,'' Jacobs said.
Jacobs' concept makes sense because it would allow for the preservation of the bowl system and prevent the season from being lengthened to 15 or so games by a lengthy playoff.
"Having played in this league and gone to a bunch of bowl games, there's nothing like the experience for a student-athlete,'' said Jacobs, a former walk-on offensive lineman at Auburn who eventually started for a No. 3-ranked team as a senior. "The other thing is there's no way that my parents could have afforded to follow me around to two or three cities in December and January.''
Now that's a meal
I know this blog is supposed to be a clearinghouse for sports news and insight, but I simply must take a radical detour today.
Did anybody see the Associated Press story about the 16-foot python that stalked a family dog in Australia and eventually swallowed it whole in front of two terror-stricken children?
It used to be that the Aussies didn't have much to worry about other than dingos eating babies, but that changed Monday when a scrub python squeezed the life out of a silky terrier-Chihuahua mix and devoured it oustside a home in Queensland.
A 5-year-old boy and a 7-year-old girl saw their family pet disappear down the gullet of the snake.
But here's the truly freaky part of the story.
"It actively stalked the dog for a number of days," said Stuart Douglas, owner of the Australian Venom Zoo, which sounds like a lovely place to visit. "The family that owned the dog had actually seen it in the dog's bed, which was a sign it was out to get it.''
Gee, do you really think so?
According to the story, the python was taken by the Australian Venom Zoo.
It was still in the process of digesting the dog as of Wednesday.
It undoubtedly needed a long nap afterward.
I know this blog is supposed to be a clearinghouse for sports news and insight, but I simply must take a radical detour today.
Did anybody see the Associated Press story about the 16-foot python that stalked a family dog in Australia and eventually swallowed it whole in front of two terror-stricken children?
It used to be that the Aussies didn't have much to worry about other than dingos eating babies, but that changed Monday when a scrub python squeezed the life out of a silky terrier-Chihuahua mix and devoured it oustside a home in Queensland.
A 5-year-old boy and a 7-year-old girl saw their family pet disappear down the gullet of the snake.
But here's the truly freaky part of the story.
"It actively stalked the dog for a number of days," said Stuart Douglas, owner of the Australian Venom Zoo, which sounds like a lovely place to visit. "The family that owned the dog had actually seen it in the dog's bed, which was a sign it was out to get it.''
Gee, do you really think so?
According to the story, the python was taken by the Australian Venom Zoo.
It was still in the process of digesting the dog as of Wednesday.
It undoubtedly needed a long nap afterward.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Jeff Gordon interview
As promised (but ultimately delivered tardy), here's a rundown of a roundtable interview I participated in with four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon Tuesday at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Gordon was in town to promote the Kobalt Tools 500, set for March. We covered a wide range of topics with Gordon, including his impressions of Atlanta Motor Speedway, his thoughts on the Car of Tomorrow, his new team alliance with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the concept of NASCAR drivers plotting exit strategies for careers.
Sadly, we ran out of time before we could ask him about the sizzling hot photo of his supermodel wife on the pages of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.
Anyway, here's a transcript of the Q&A:
Q: The Car of Tomorrow seemed to take a pretty bad beating at Daytona. Your thoughts?
Gordon: ''Daytona is probably the toughest challenge we have. During testing, we cracked a lot of pieces in the chassis because of the pounding that car takes. You see the car bouncing. We saw some things. ... It definitely was a wake-up call for all of us as far as the stress that we're putting on the suspension components. I don't think any place is as bad as Daytona. It's 500 miles, the corners are so big that the loads are huge and the bumps ...''
Q: Where does Atlanta Motor Speedway rank in your estimation?
Gordon: ''This is one of my favorite tracks. Here, Michigan, Charlotte ... I like the road courses, too ... Bristol. This is an awesome race track. I hated to see them reconfigure it because I liked the old track. But I've gotten to where I really like the new track almost even more. Most of that is because of the surface that's there right now.''
Q: Do you think AMS will remain one of the fastest, if not the fastest, stop on the circuit?
Gordon: ''I would think so. We saw some laps drafting at Daytona that might be faster. Overall, grip is grip. This track has got a lot of grip. And, compared to all the other tracks, I still think it will play out as the fastest track.’’
Q: At Daytona, it seemed a lot of teams were having tire-wear issues with the Car of Tomorrow. Is that a result of set-up choices?
Gordon: ''‘It's the Car of Tomorrow. This car has a higher center of gravity. We can't even put lead in the car. It's just very heavy to the right side. We're trying to get grip in the car, but yet, at the same time, we're using the right side tires harder than we ever have. We knew that going in. From a set-up standpoint, you need to be a little more on the conservative side. Your set-up can make it worse. It's really more the fundamentals of this car versus the old car. We're going to see a lot more right-side tire wear. ... The car doesn't stop as good. You have to be smoother with this car. It's harder to get the car to slow down, harder to get the car to turn. We learned a lot last year and we're learning even more now. It's driving as good as what the old car did.’’
Q: Are you getting more comfortable with the Car of Tomorrow?
Gordon: "I think it plays into my skills pretty well. You have to be a little more patient with this car.''
Q: How's your new teammate (Dale Earnhardt Jr.) doing?
Gordon: "I'm pretty excited about having him onboard. ... I've seen nothing but good energy. I've read so much about how this is going to work. I think we all kind of questioned what this is going to be like. The way Junior has handled it has probably been the biggest surprise. He's down to earth, he's humble, he's appreciative. He's not a guy who's got an ego. He's not sitting there saying, I'm the man, you have to listen to me. He's excited and having fun.’’
Q: Have you picked up unexpected fans because of having him as a teammate?
Gordon: "Typically, that would be like a sin to ask me to sign an Earnhardt die-cast or hat. I see some people, say, hey they're teammates, it's OK. We still have our rivalry and our fans. The only difference I really see is we now have team debriefing meetings, he's there. He and I have always gotten along good.''
Q: Are more NASCAR drivers coming up with exit plans now?
Gordon: "I think we all think about it. I'm seeing guys earlier in their careers are thinking about it. You see how much money is coming in and they're saying, I have to invest, I have to think long-term. Before, I think if you didn't make a lot of money you didn't worry a whole lot about it. Now, you're seeing a time frame or a lifespan of an average career in this sport. You look at guys who are outside the sport and it starts to make you think about it a little bit more. You think about where you want to be. I didn't think about it much ... (Gordon's sponsorship contracts run through 2010) Once I knew there was that number out there that could be close to when I want to step away from a full-time schedule. I don't have a full plan or anything in place, but I certainly have thought about it a lot more.’’
As promised (but ultimately delivered tardy), here's a rundown of a roundtable interview I participated in with four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon Tuesday at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Gordon was in town to promote the Kobalt Tools 500, set for March. We covered a wide range of topics with Gordon, including his impressions of Atlanta Motor Speedway, his thoughts on the Car of Tomorrow, his new team alliance with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the concept of NASCAR drivers plotting exit strategies for careers.
Sadly, we ran out of time before we could ask him about the sizzling hot photo of his supermodel wife on the pages of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.
Anyway, here's a transcript of the Q&A:
Q: The Car of Tomorrow seemed to take a pretty bad beating at Daytona. Your thoughts?
Gordon: ''Daytona is probably the toughest challenge we have. During testing, we cracked a lot of pieces in the chassis because of the pounding that car takes. You see the car bouncing. We saw some things. ... It definitely was a wake-up call for all of us as far as the stress that we're putting on the suspension components. I don't think any place is as bad as Daytona. It's 500 miles, the corners are so big that the loads are huge and the bumps ...''
Q: Where does Atlanta Motor Speedway rank in your estimation?
Gordon: ''This is one of my favorite tracks. Here, Michigan, Charlotte ... I like the road courses, too ... Bristol. This is an awesome race track. I hated to see them reconfigure it because I liked the old track. But I've gotten to where I really like the new track almost even more. Most of that is because of the surface that's there right now.''
Q: Do you think AMS will remain one of the fastest, if not the fastest, stop on the circuit?
Gordon: ''I would think so. We saw some laps drafting at Daytona that might be faster. Overall, grip is grip. This track has got a lot of grip. And, compared to all the other tracks, I still think it will play out as the fastest track.’’
Q: At Daytona, it seemed a lot of teams were having tire-wear issues with the Car of Tomorrow. Is that a result of set-up choices?
Gordon: ''‘It's the Car of Tomorrow. This car has a higher center of gravity. We can't even put lead in the car. It's just very heavy to the right side. We're trying to get grip in the car, but yet, at the same time, we're using the right side tires harder than we ever have. We knew that going in. From a set-up standpoint, you need to be a little more on the conservative side. Your set-up can make it worse. It's really more the fundamentals of this car versus the old car. We're going to see a lot more right-side tire wear. ... The car doesn't stop as good. You have to be smoother with this car. It's harder to get the car to slow down, harder to get the car to turn. We learned a lot last year and we're learning even more now. It's driving as good as what the old car did.’’
Q: Are you getting more comfortable with the Car of Tomorrow?
Gordon: "I think it plays into my skills pretty well. You have to be a little more patient with this car.''
Q: How's your new teammate (Dale Earnhardt Jr.) doing?
Gordon: "I'm pretty excited about having him onboard. ... I've seen nothing but good energy. I've read so much about how this is going to work. I think we all kind of questioned what this is going to be like. The way Junior has handled it has probably been the biggest surprise. He's down to earth, he's humble, he's appreciative. He's not a guy who's got an ego. He's not sitting there saying, I'm the man, you have to listen to me. He's excited and having fun.’’
Q: Have you picked up unexpected fans because of having him as a teammate?
Gordon: "Typically, that would be like a sin to ask me to sign an Earnhardt die-cast or hat. I see some people, say, hey they're teammates, it's OK. We still have our rivalry and our fans. The only difference I really see is we now have team debriefing meetings, he's there. He and I have always gotten along good.''
Q: Are more NASCAR drivers coming up with exit plans now?
Gordon: "I think we all think about it. I'm seeing guys earlier in their careers are thinking about it. You see how much money is coming in and they're saying, I have to invest, I have to think long-term. Before, I think if you didn't make a lot of money you didn't worry a whole lot about it. Now, you're seeing a time frame or a lifespan of an average career in this sport. You look at guys who are outside the sport and it starts to make you think about it a little bit more. You think about where you want to be. I didn't think about it much ... (Gordon's sponsorship contracts run through 2010) Once I knew there was that number out there that could be close to when I want to step away from a full-time schedule. I don't have a full plan or anything in place, but I certainly have thought about it a lot more.’’
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
One crazy ride
There's nothing quite like getting scared to death to make you feel alive.
If you read my column today about my experience as a passenger in a specially modified stock car at the Jeff Gordon Racing School (available, as always, at www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports), you probably know where I'm coming from with this.
I've done some crazy things before. I've ridden countless roller coasters, tumbled head-first off high-dives, gone bobsledding and been relentlessly pounded by the ocean while surfing.
Nothing provided a rush quite like sitting in the passenger seat of a Monte Carlo being driven around Atlanta Motor Speedway at 175 mph.
At least they told us it went 175. The driver might have been taking it easy at 150 or so, but it's impossible to know for certain since no speedometer exists on the dashboard. Just an RPM gauge, a fuel indicator and lots of mysterious toggle switches.
You definitely feel the speed, whether it's 150 or 175. It throws you back in your seat and steps on your chest in the high, 24-degree bank turns. If I had to describe it in one word, it would be this: Speedgasm. I realize that's not a legitimate word and I hope it doesn't offend you, but that's the best approximation I can make.
During lunch Tuesday with four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon, Gordon explained what it's like to participate in a ridealong as a passenger.
"Imagine the best and worst feeling at the same time,'' he said.
I understand now. The best part is the sheer rush from going that fast. The worst is not having control of the wheel and getting an up-close view of the wall, which feels no more than six inches removed from the window as you roar into the straightaway.
Gordon proved to be a charming lunch companion. I've been around him at races before, but this was my first chance to talk to him. He's very personable and could easily transition into TV when he decides to quit driving.
He actually shared some interesting insights about his ''exit plan'' from NASCAR, which I'll post more about later.
There's nothing quite like getting scared to death to make you feel alive.
If you read my column today about my experience as a passenger in a specially modified stock car at the Jeff Gordon Racing School (available, as always, at www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports), you probably know where I'm coming from with this.
I've done some crazy things before. I've ridden countless roller coasters, tumbled head-first off high-dives, gone bobsledding and been relentlessly pounded by the ocean while surfing.
Nothing provided a rush quite like sitting in the passenger seat of a Monte Carlo being driven around Atlanta Motor Speedway at 175 mph.
At least they told us it went 175. The driver might have been taking it easy at 150 or so, but it's impossible to know for certain since no speedometer exists on the dashboard. Just an RPM gauge, a fuel indicator and lots of mysterious toggle switches.
You definitely feel the speed, whether it's 150 or 175. It throws you back in your seat and steps on your chest in the high, 24-degree bank turns. If I had to describe it in one word, it would be this: Speedgasm. I realize that's not a legitimate word and I hope it doesn't offend you, but that's the best approximation I can make.
During lunch Tuesday with four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon, Gordon explained what it's like to participate in a ridealong as a passenger.
"Imagine the best and worst feeling at the same time,'' he said.
I understand now. The best part is the sheer rush from going that fast. The worst is not having control of the wheel and getting an up-close view of the wall, which feels no more than six inches removed from the window as you roar into the straightaway.
Gordon proved to be a charming lunch companion. I've been around him at races before, but this was my first chance to talk to him. He's very personable and could easily transition into TV when he decides to quit driving.
He actually shared some interesting insights about his ''exit plan'' from NASCAR, which I'll post more about later.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Be on the lookout
The news editor of ''Baseball America'' contacted me last week to see if I'd write a 700-word article about the ongoing process to sell and relocate the Columbus Catfish.
He also wanted the article to contain some background about the icy relationship between Columbus owner David Heller and the city government and the difficulty the team has had in drawing fans.
I told him that would require at least 700 words by itself.
Anyway, I just finished the piece. Assuming it passes muster, it should appear in the next issue.
As for what's going on with the Catfish and the prospects of them moving to Bowling Green, Ky., after the 2008 season, well, a lot must still be decided.
Art Solomon, the owner of the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, exercised an option last week to purchase the team but must still receive approval from the South Atlantic League and Minor League Baseball. He told me he should have the paperwork filed with the league office this week.
That part should pass without any difficulty. Solomon seems like a nice guy, plus he's a well-respected owner and savvy businessman. The annual attendance for his Double-A team has blown up since 2004, from 215,961 to 371,710 last season.
That's pretty impressive. Makes you wonder what he could do with the Catfish, who have brought up the rear in attendance in the South Atlantic League.
It's entirely possible we'll find out.
While Solomon didn't make any definitive promises when asked whether there was any scenario in which the Catfish would remain in Columbus after the 2008 season, it's a possibility.
Two credible sources told me the South Atlantic League may not rubber-stamp a relocation request. It seems some owners may not embrace the extra mileage that would be required to travel to Bowling Green. Plus, there are questions of whether Bowling Green (population 60,000) could support minor league baseball any better than Columbus over the long haul.
The news editor of ''Baseball America'' contacted me last week to see if I'd write a 700-word article about the ongoing process to sell and relocate the Columbus Catfish.
He also wanted the article to contain some background about the icy relationship between Columbus owner David Heller and the city government and the difficulty the team has had in drawing fans.
I told him that would require at least 700 words by itself.
Anyway, I just finished the piece. Assuming it passes muster, it should appear in the next issue.
As for what's going on with the Catfish and the prospects of them moving to Bowling Green, Ky., after the 2008 season, well, a lot must still be decided.
Art Solomon, the owner of the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, exercised an option last week to purchase the team but must still receive approval from the South Atlantic League and Minor League Baseball. He told me he should have the paperwork filed with the league office this week.
That part should pass without any difficulty. Solomon seems like a nice guy, plus he's a well-respected owner and savvy businessman. The annual attendance for his Double-A team has blown up since 2004, from 215,961 to 371,710 last season.
That's pretty impressive. Makes you wonder what he could do with the Catfish, who have brought up the rear in attendance in the South Atlantic League.
It's entirely possible we'll find out.
While Solomon didn't make any definitive promises when asked whether there was any scenario in which the Catfish would remain in Columbus after the 2008 season, it's a possibility.
Two credible sources told me the South Atlantic League may not rubber-stamp a relocation request. It seems some owners may not embrace the extra mileage that would be required to travel to Bowling Green. Plus, there are questions of whether Bowling Green (population 60,000) could support minor league baseball any better than Columbus over the long haul.
Wild ride
My wife had a question for me when she found out what I planned to be doing Tuesday afternoon.
''Where's your life insurance policy?''
In the lock box, of course.
She needed to know a couple other details.
The 401K? My IRAs? Any and all over savings accounts that we don't already share jointly?
"I am the beneficiary, right?'' she asked.
Of course, dear.
She wanted to know because, as of noon or so Tuesday, I could be flying around Atlanta Motor Speedway at roughly 165 mph. There's a good chance you'll recognize me by the unique screaming sound I'm sure will be just barely audible above the growling engine.
My Ledger-Enquirer colleague, Jerry Morehouse, and I have accepted an invitation to attend a media luncheon with four-time NASCAR Spring Cup Jeff Gordon at Atlanta Motor Speedway. He'll be there to promote the upcoming Kobalt Tools 500.
Afterward, there's a good chance he'll be scaring us to the point of near-bladder release.
After lunch, us reporter-types will be allowed to participate in ride-alongs provided by the Jeff Gordon Racing School. We'll get strapped into a modified, two-seat stock car and driven around the track at alarming speeds. If I happen to be one of the six reporters who win a sweepstakes drawing, I'll have Gordon at the wheel for my turn.
So I had to do some thinking today. Have I ever written anything that would p--- off Gordon?
I didn't think I had, but checked just to be safe.
I also made sure the life insurance policy was in the lock box, but that was more for my wife's benefit.
If I'm going to watch my life pass before my eyes at 160-plus mph, I might as well have a driver like Gordon at the controls.
My wife had a question for me when she found out what I planned to be doing Tuesday afternoon.
''Where's your life insurance policy?''
In the lock box, of course.
She needed to know a couple other details.
The 401K? My IRAs? Any and all over savings accounts that we don't already share jointly?
"I am the beneficiary, right?'' she asked.
Of course, dear.
She wanted to know because, as of noon or so Tuesday, I could be flying around Atlanta Motor Speedway at roughly 165 mph. There's a good chance you'll recognize me by the unique screaming sound I'm sure will be just barely audible above the growling engine.
My Ledger-Enquirer colleague, Jerry Morehouse, and I have accepted an invitation to attend a media luncheon with four-time NASCAR Spring Cup Jeff Gordon at Atlanta Motor Speedway. He'll be there to promote the upcoming Kobalt Tools 500.
Afterward, there's a good chance he'll be scaring us to the point of near-bladder release.
After lunch, us reporter-types will be allowed to participate in ride-alongs provided by the Jeff Gordon Racing School. We'll get strapped into a modified, two-seat stock car and driven around the track at alarming speeds. If I happen to be one of the six reporters who win a sweepstakes drawing, I'll have Gordon at the wheel for my turn.
So I had to do some thinking today. Have I ever written anything that would p--- off Gordon?
I didn't think I had, but checked just to be safe.
I also made sure the life insurance policy was in the lock box, but that was more for my wife's benefit.
If I'm going to watch my life pass before my eyes at 160-plus mph, I might as well have a driver like Gordon at the controls.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Super Bowl suit
Here's a new cheer for athletes to learn:
Two, four, six, eight, losers get to litigate!
Seriously. A former St. Louis Rams player filed a $100 million class action suit in U.S. District Court in New Orleans as a result of allegations that the New England Patriots videotaped the Rams' walkthrough before Super XXXVI in 2002.
Former Rams defensive back Willie Gary, who played seven games for St. Louis that season, now plays for the Georgia Force of the Arena Football League. The suit filed on his behalf named the Patriots, head coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft as defendants.
The Patriots upset the Rams 20-17 at the Louisiana Superdome. The filing came after allegations surfaced that New England, which was sanctioned by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell earlier this season for spying on the New York Jets, videotaped the Rams' walkthrough before the Super Bowl.
According to the Associated Press, the suit said the Patriots illegally taped the Rams' workout for the purpose ''of gaining an unfair advantage in the game.'' It claims the Patriots engaged in a raft of unsavory practices, including fraud, breach of contract and racketeering in violation of Louisiana's consumer protection act.
The suit seeks damages for Rams players, coaches and staff, as well as the 72,922 fans who attended the game.
It doesn't specify whether Patriots fans who bought tickets would be eligible to share in a victorious judgment.
Here's a new cheer for athletes to learn:
Two, four, six, eight, losers get to litigate!
Seriously. A former St. Louis Rams player filed a $100 million class action suit in U.S. District Court in New Orleans as a result of allegations that the New England Patriots videotaped the Rams' walkthrough before Super XXXVI in 2002.
Former Rams defensive back Willie Gary, who played seven games for St. Louis that season, now plays for the Georgia Force of the Arena Football League. The suit filed on his behalf named the Patriots, head coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft as defendants.
The Patriots upset the Rams 20-17 at the Louisiana Superdome. The filing came after allegations surfaced that New England, which was sanctioned by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell earlier this season for spying on the New York Jets, videotaped the Rams' walkthrough before the Super Bowl.
According to the Associated Press, the suit said the Patriots illegally taped the Rams' workout for the purpose ''of gaining an unfair advantage in the game.'' It claims the Patriots engaged in a raft of unsavory practices, including fraud, breach of contract and racketeering in violation of Louisiana's consumer protection act.
The suit seeks damages for Rams players, coaches and staff, as well as the 72,922 fans who attended the game.
It doesn't specify whether Patriots fans who bought tickets would be eligible to share in a victorious judgment.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Falcons purging roster
We knew Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Mike Smith would likely do some radical things to reinvent a franchise that went 4-12 last season, but it was a little surprising to see tight end Alge Crumpler and defensive tackle Rod Coleman among the seven veterans released Friday.
Crumpler, while plagued with injuries of late, represented one of the Falcons' few dependable elements on offense with 42 catches last season and an average of 45 receptions over his seven-year career in Atlanta. Coleman, while certainly not the dominant presence he represented during Atlanta's run to the NFC Championship game four seasons ago, was at least productive.
"As a football coach it is never easy to cut any player, especially veteran players who have been valuable members of the organization," Smith said in a written statement.
Coming off a 4-12 season makes it that much easier. Other players released were quarterback Byron Leftwich, offensive tackle Wayne Gandy, wide receiver Jamin Elliott and linebacker Marcus Wilkins.
Leftwich represents the most notable name among the other cast-offs. While Leftwich possesses a indisputably strong arm, his lack of mobility, injury difficulties and inability to separate himself from a mediocre cast of quarterbacks that includes Joey Harrington and Chris Redman made him expendable.
That's where most of this Atlanta roster falls right now, into the category of expendable. Beyond linebacker Michael Boley, running back Jerious Norwood, wide receiver Roddy White and defensive end John Abraham and, maybe cornerback DeAngelo Hall, there's not much to like. Linebacker Keith Brooking and running back Warrick Dunn, while wonderful human beings, have lost a step with time. They may be worth keeping around strictly because of their professionalism, but their influence couldn't ward off the disastrous downturn of the last three seasons.
In a situation such as this, there’s only one decision to make. Raze the whole thing, get a dump truck to cart off the rubble and try again.
Dimitroff seems intent on doing this because it's the way he learned during his apprenticeship as a New England Patriots' talent evaluator. Dimitroff has said he wants to build from the draft and he'll have that opportunity. Atlanta will get nine draft picks in seven rounds, including an early first-round pick.
Putting yourself in Dimitroff's position, which player would top your wish list?
The Falcons need so much, but their first choice will obviously be determined by what happens with the draft picks ahead of theirs. LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey could be the first overall pick, or he could slide. Arkansas running back Darren McFadden could be available when the Falcons choose. So could Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long. Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan, the lone marquee prospect at his position, might be the safe bet.
The possibilities are infinite, but so are the Falcons' needs.
We knew Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Mike Smith would likely do some radical things to reinvent a franchise that went 4-12 last season, but it was a little surprising to see tight end Alge Crumpler and defensive tackle Rod Coleman among the seven veterans released Friday.
Crumpler, while plagued with injuries of late, represented one of the Falcons' few dependable elements on offense with 42 catches last season and an average of 45 receptions over his seven-year career in Atlanta. Coleman, while certainly not the dominant presence he represented during Atlanta's run to the NFC Championship game four seasons ago, was at least productive.
"As a football coach it is never easy to cut any player, especially veteran players who have been valuable members of the organization," Smith said in a written statement.
Coming off a 4-12 season makes it that much easier. Other players released were quarterback Byron Leftwich, offensive tackle Wayne Gandy, wide receiver Jamin Elliott and linebacker Marcus Wilkins.
Leftwich represents the most notable name among the other cast-offs. While Leftwich possesses a indisputably strong arm, his lack of mobility, injury difficulties and inability to separate himself from a mediocre cast of quarterbacks that includes Joey Harrington and Chris Redman made him expendable.
That's where most of this Atlanta roster falls right now, into the category of expendable. Beyond linebacker Michael Boley, running back Jerious Norwood, wide receiver Roddy White and defensive end John Abraham and, maybe cornerback DeAngelo Hall, there's not much to like. Linebacker Keith Brooking and running back Warrick Dunn, while wonderful human beings, have lost a step with time. They may be worth keeping around strictly because of their professionalism, but their influence couldn't ward off the disastrous downturn of the last three seasons.
In a situation such as this, there’s only one decision to make. Raze the whole thing, get a dump truck to cart off the rubble and try again.
Dimitroff seems intent on doing this because it's the way he learned during his apprenticeship as a New England Patriots' talent evaluator. Dimitroff has said he wants to build from the draft and he'll have that opportunity. Atlanta will get nine draft picks in seven rounds, including an early first-round pick.
Putting yourself in Dimitroff's position, which player would top your wish list?
The Falcons need so much, but their first choice will obviously be determined by what happens with the draft picks ahead of theirs. LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey could be the first overall pick, or he could slide. Arkansas running back Darren McFadden could be available when the Falcons choose. So could Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long. Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan, the lone marquee prospect at his position, might be the safe bet.
The possibilities are infinite, but so are the Falcons' needs.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Dawgs, jungle cats and Catfish
I've spent so much of this day multi-tasking, typing column and story notes while simultaneously interviewing various sources on the cell phone, so I guess I should exercise the same efficiency in blogging.
The topics: University of Georgia athletics, Smiths Station High School football and Columbus minor league baseball.
It's a bizarre mix, to be sure, but the last two days have been less than conventional.
OK, here we go. The University of Georgia Board of Regents signed off on a plan Wednesday to put non-football facilities under the banner of the Vince Dooley Athletic Complex. The complex will include a large bronze statue of the coach being carried off the field on the shoulders of his players following the 1980 national championship game and a garden. If you read my column Wednesday morning, you know how I feel about this. It's great to honor Dooley for his accomplishments as a football coach and athletic director, but the placement of it seems all wrong. Based on the reader reaction I've received via phone and e-mail, a lot of other folks feel the same way.
In contrast to Georgia's attempts (however misguided they may be) to honor a legend, Smiths Station High School dishonored one by firing football coach Woodrow Lowe, a three-time All-America linebacker at Alabama, a former NFL standout and member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. A lot of parents were confused by the Lee County Board of Education's 4-3 vote for termination, particularly since 50 parents and players and a petition with 200 signatures of support were seemingly overlooked. The Panthers went 1-9 in Lowe's first season, but followed up with 6-5 and 5-5 finishes. Participation has gone up and Lowe instilled discipline in his players. This has the feel of a firing based on politics rather than performance.
Transitioning from Panthers to Catfish, I spoke with the baseball team's prospective new owner today. Art Solomon hopes to assume ownership of the franchise from David Heller in time for the season opener. People in Bowling Green expect him to move the Catfish there for the 2009 season. If the deal falls through, it won't be due to a lack of financing or concerns about Solomon's stewardship of a franchise. He owns the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats and is well regarded in the minor league baseball community.
Solomon seems like a genuinely nice guy as well and an involved, community-minded kind of owner. I asked him if there was any scenario he could see that would allow the Catfish to remain in Columbus and he was coy on his response. Check out what he said at www.ledger-enquirer.com.
It would have been interesting to see what results a guy like Solomon would have achieved in owning the Catfish from Day One. While Heller is perfectly justified in wanting to sell the team in the face of lagging attendance, it's reasonable to question whether he did all he could to sell the product. He was trying to move the team from the time it arrived here and didn't even bother showing up for the South Atlantic League championship clincher at Golden Park.
It's true that attendance has been stale and that the city might have been slow to improve Golden Park, but Heller built some pretty tall walls between himself and this baseball market.
I've spent so much of this day multi-tasking, typing column and story notes while simultaneously interviewing various sources on the cell phone, so I guess I should exercise the same efficiency in blogging.
The topics: University of Georgia athletics, Smiths Station High School football and Columbus minor league baseball.
It's a bizarre mix, to be sure, but the last two days have been less than conventional.
OK, here we go. The University of Georgia Board of Regents signed off on a plan Wednesday to put non-football facilities under the banner of the Vince Dooley Athletic Complex. The complex will include a large bronze statue of the coach being carried off the field on the shoulders of his players following the 1980 national championship game and a garden. If you read my column Wednesday morning, you know how I feel about this. It's great to honor Dooley for his accomplishments as a football coach and athletic director, but the placement of it seems all wrong. Based on the reader reaction I've received via phone and e-mail, a lot of other folks feel the same way.
In contrast to Georgia's attempts (however misguided they may be) to honor a legend, Smiths Station High School dishonored one by firing football coach Woodrow Lowe, a three-time All-America linebacker at Alabama, a former NFL standout and member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. A lot of parents were confused by the Lee County Board of Education's 4-3 vote for termination, particularly since 50 parents and players and a petition with 200 signatures of support were seemingly overlooked. The Panthers went 1-9 in Lowe's first season, but followed up with 6-5 and 5-5 finishes. Participation has gone up and Lowe instilled discipline in his players. This has the feel of a firing based on politics rather than performance.
Transitioning from Panthers to Catfish, I spoke with the baseball team's prospective new owner today. Art Solomon hopes to assume ownership of the franchise from David Heller in time for the season opener. People in Bowling Green expect him to move the Catfish there for the 2009 season. If the deal falls through, it won't be due to a lack of financing or concerns about Solomon's stewardship of a franchise. He owns the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats and is well regarded in the minor league baseball community.
Solomon seems like a genuinely nice guy as well and an involved, community-minded kind of owner. I asked him if there was any scenario he could see that would allow the Catfish to remain in Columbus and he was coy on his response. Check out what he said at www.ledger-enquirer.com.
It would have been interesting to see what results a guy like Solomon would have achieved in owning the Catfish from Day One. While Heller is perfectly justified in wanting to sell the team in the face of lagging attendance, it's reasonable to question whether he did all he could to sell the product. He was trying to move the team from the time it arrived here and didn't even bother showing up for the South Atlantic League championship clincher at Golden Park.
It's true that attendance has been stale and that the city might have been slow to improve Golden Park, but Heller built some pretty tall walls between himself and this baseball market.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Furthering the discussion
The folks at BallparkDigest.com, an excellent Web site for seamheads, adds some perspective on the possibility of the Columbus Catfish being sold and relocated to Bowling Green, Ky.
They linked to my story, so there's some shameless self-promotion at work here. But it's an excellent Web site and it adds some interesting points on to the story I wrote for this morning:
http://ballparkdigest.com/
The folks at BallparkDigest.com, an excellent Web site for seamheads, adds some perspective on the possibility of the Columbus Catfish being sold and relocated to Bowling Green, Ky.
They linked to my story, so there's some shameless self-promotion at work here. But it's an excellent Web site and it adds some interesting points on to the story I wrote for this morning:
http://ballparkdigest.com/
The Gambler
Mention Kenny Rogers to most baseball people and they won’t think of the country crooner with a voice and silver beard like spun silk. They'll think of the other Kenny Rogers, the left-handed pitcher with 200 wins and a perfect game to his credit.
In most respects, Wade Townsend, who pitched for the Columbus Catfish last season, resembles the other Rogers. He stands 6-foot-4, weighs 230 pounds and throws some serious heat.
But Townsend channeled the original Kenny last month and demonstrated that he knows when to hold them and knows when to fold them.
The blog of my friend and esteemed colleague Stacy Long, the Montgomery Biscuits beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser, pointed me to this wonderful nugget:
http://www.thepokerforum.com/wsopctu120708.htm
It seems Townsend won a whopping $77,000 and a gold championship ring at a World Series of Poker circuit event last month at the Grand Casino Resort in Tunica, Miss. He emerged victorious from a No-Limit Hold'Em tournament that featured 380 players and a prize pool of $256,120.
Not a bad day of work. Wonder which he'll wear more often: The ring from Tunica or the championship ring from last year's South Atlantic League championship.
Mention Kenny Rogers to most baseball people and they won’t think of the country crooner with a voice and silver beard like spun silk. They'll think of the other Kenny Rogers, the left-handed pitcher with 200 wins and a perfect game to his credit.
In most respects, Wade Townsend, who pitched for the Columbus Catfish last season, resembles the other Rogers. He stands 6-foot-4, weighs 230 pounds and throws some serious heat.
But Townsend channeled the original Kenny last month and demonstrated that he knows when to hold them and knows when to fold them.
The blog of my friend and esteemed colleague Stacy Long, the Montgomery Biscuits beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser, pointed me to this wonderful nugget:
http://www.thepokerforum.com/wsopctu120708.htm
It seems Townsend won a whopping $77,000 and a gold championship ring at a World Series of Poker circuit event last month at the Grand Casino Resort in Tunica, Miss. He emerged victorious from a No-Limit Hold'Em tournament that featured 380 players and a prize pool of $256,120.
Not a bad day of work. Wonder which he'll wear more often: The ring from Tunica or the championship ring from last year's South Atlantic League championship.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)