Thursday, July 26, 2007

10 key questions heading into NFL season

Don’t get me wrong, I’m looking forward to the Major League Baseball pennant/wild card races and the postseason as much as the next fan, but around this time every year I — and many — start getting excited about the upcoming NFL season.

I even created my annual fantasy football league several weeks earlier than usual. Not that it will help me actually win it this time around, but hey, I’m willing to try anything.

With most training camps either underway or beginning soon, I figured this was the perfect
time to list my top 10 key issues and questions heading into the 2007-2008 season.

Look for my top 10 on the upcoming college season in Friday’s edition.

1 — How will the Panthers adapt to new offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson? I like the idea of Carolina using more zone-blocking techniques. Running backs DeShaun Foster and Deangelo Williams both have plenty to prove this season, while quarterback Jake Delhomme will have David Kerr looking over his shoulder. If the offensive line stays healthy and can create more holes for the backs, I like the Panthers to return to the playoffs.

2 — Can the Falcons overcome the offseason troubles of Michael Vick? The biggest story of the offseason has been the dog-fighting allegations against Atlanta’s quarterback, but eventually the Falcons are going to have to play through this issue and the media circus that surrounds it. Atlanta may go as far as backup QB Joey Harrington carries them — a not-so promising thought.

3 — Will the Colts repeat as Super Bowl champs? Indianapolis will once again have to lean on quarterback Peyton Manning and the offense, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The Indy defense was terrible last year until the playoffs, and they didn’t make any moves to improve. I think their inability to get key stops will keep them from winning the Lombardi Trophy again.

4 — How will Randy Moss fit into the Patriots’ mix? If he’ll shut up and just play, ala Corey Dillon, Moss will work fine with Brady, Belichick and Co. If I had to pick a Super Bowl winner right now it would be New England … really going out on a limb, right?

5 — Is anybody better than the Bears in the NFC? Not on paper. This isn’t going out on a limb either, but I like Chicago as the No. 1 seed out of the NFC once again because of its staunch defense, good enough offense and relatively easy division schedule.

6 — Is Wade Phillips the right coach for the Cowboys? The more jovial Phillips is the anti-Bill Parcells, which could play in Dallas’ favor. The Cowboys have the personnel to go deep in the playoffs, but how well they mesh with the new coach will be an important factor.

7 — Who wins the West(s)? Due to parity and several coaching changes, I think the West divisions are two of the toughest to predict. I’ll finally go out on a limb and take the Cardinals and new coach Ken Whisenhunt to win the NFC West. I’ll stick to the chalk and take the Chargers to repeat in the AFC West.

8 — Were the Saints a one-hit wonder? I don’t think so. This offense is built to last with Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, Deuce McCalister and Marques Colston. If the defense is consistent, the Saints march through the South again.

9 — Who will be the biggest impact rookie? I’m going with Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson. He was injury-prone at Oklahoma, but if he stays on the field he can be 1,000-yard back in his first year.

10 — Most interesting division to watch? The NFC East. There are plenty of storylines among Dallas, Washington, Philadelphia and the N.Y. Giants. The most interesting ones being that quarterbacks Donovan McNabb and Eli Manning may be in make-or-break years with their teams.

Saturday, July 21, 2007

More quotes from Norris Hopper feature

Here are a few more quotes that weren't used in Sunday's feature on Cincinnati Reds' outfielder and Shelby native Norris Hopper.

Reds’ outfielder Norris Hopper
On recent increase in playing time …
“The last few weeks I’ve played a little more due to injuries. I’m trying to get in the cage and do what I can do to stay sharp. When I’m called upon, I try to do my job.”

On whether or not it’s frustrating not starting and playing every game …
“It’s not really frustrating … everybody wants to play every day, but this is my job. You look around here, and we’ve got Griffey and Dunn. They’ve got to play. They are making the big bucks.”

On what Shelby means to him …
“Coming up through high school, I always had people backing me up in Shelby. I love Shelby. I have a house there, and I don’t think I’ll ever move. It’s a little town, but it’s great to me.”

On his first trip with the Reds to Atlanta …
“It’s great to be out there and look up in the stands and see people you grew up with. They all have smiles on their face and it’s very fulfilling.”

On being inserted into games late …
“Almost every game I’m coming in late. You just come in and try to make plays to help us win. When I go out there and we have a two run lead (like Tuesday against the Braves), you just tell yourself you’ve got to make a big play if they hit it my way.”

On the Reds’ recent improvements …
“We won five of six going into the break and that got our spirits up. Then, we dropped 3 in New York, then come to Atlanta and we won the series here. We just need to keep up what we’ve done the last three days (against Atlanta).

Reds’ right fielder Ken Griffey Jr.
On Hopper’s value to the team …
“He goes out and you can ask him to play anywhere and do anything you ask. His game is to get on base, cause havoc and use his legs. He’s done a great job of that. He can do a lot of things for us.”

Cincinnati manager Pete Mackanin
On Norris Hopper’s versatility …
“Norris is a real versatile guy. He’s a good defender in the outfield, he can run … he covers a lot of ground and makes throws that he needs to make. He’s a solid hitter with good doubles power and an ouststandnig bunter that can handle the bat.”

On Hopper’s ability to learn from Ken Griffey Jr. …
“Hopefully he can learn from a Ken Griffey Jr., but he has to understand that Griffey is going to handle himself differently than a rookie. Griffey, because of his status, his age and experience, after he takes batting practice, he’ll go in and get his rest. A young player like Norris shouldn’t do that. He can learn from him, but he has to make sure he doesn’t act the part of a superstar.”

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Wednesday Atlanta photos




Didn't have field access today, but got a few good shots of Norris Hopper on the BIG screen at Turner Field. Hopper led off and started in center (eventually moved to left) and played the entire game during the Reds' 15-inning marathon win over the Braves Wednesday afternoon. He scored twice - once in the 10th then again in the 15th on Brandon Phillips' two-run game-winning hit.


Still the champ


Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King's gravesite, which is surrounded by a reflecting pool. If you're ever in Atlanta, I highly recommend a visit to the MLK National Historic Site on Auburn Ave.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Live from Atlanta

Checking in from the pressbox at Turner Field in Atlanta ... I got the chance to interview Shelby High graduate and Cincinnati Reds' outfielder Norris Hopper before the game, along with Cincy interim manager Pete Mackanin. Also spoke briefly with Chase High graduate Todd Coffey. If you need any more proof it's a small world, the sports editor from the Forest City Courier is here to do a feature on Coffey and is right beside me in the pressbox!

Look for the feature on Hopper in an upcoming edition of The Star and online at www.shelbystar.com. I also hope to have some more pictures updated on the blog when we get back to the hotel.

Atlanta Trip Photos


Ken Griffey Jr., owner of one of the smoothest swings in baseball history, during batting practice.
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Norris Hopper in leftfield late in the game Tuesday night. Hopper finished with two putouts, including catching the last out of the game on an Andruw Jones flyout.

Hopper signing autographs for some Reds' fans before the game.



Atlanta's skyline from the top of our hotel, The Georgian Terrace.


The marquee for The Fox Theatre (right across the street from our hotel) ... one of the best places to see a concert in the south.

Monday, July 16, 2007

Area IV playoff update

N.C. Area IV playoffs (all series best-of-five)

Quarterfinals: July 18-22
(East-2) Charlotte vs. (East-6) Denver
July 18 at C, Charlotte 5-2
July 19 at D, Denver 8-7
July 20 at C
July 21 at D
July 22 at C (if necessary)

(East-4) Pineville vs. (West-1) Caldwell
July 18 at C, Caldwell 5-3
July 19 at P, Pineville 9-7
July 20 at C
July 21 at P
July 22 at C (if necessary)

(East-1) Gastonia vs. (West-4) Asheville
July 18 at G, Asheville 5-4
July 19 at A, ppd. rain
July 20 at A
July 21 at G
July 22 at A (if necessary)
July 23 at G (if necessary)

(West-6) Shelby vs. (West-2) Cherryville
July 18 at C, Cherryville 4-3
July 19 at S, Shelby 8-2
July 20 at C
July 21 at S
July 22 at C (if necessary)

Semifinals: July 24-28
Charlotte-Denver vs. Pineville-Caldwell

Gastonia-Asheville vs. Shelby-Cherryville

Finals: July 30-August 3

N.C. State tournament
August 8-12 at Garner
Pairings TBA

Southeast Regional tournament
August 16-20 at Albany, Ga.
N.C. champion vs. Albany, Ga., 7:30 p.m. August 16

Little World Series
August 24-28 at Bartlesville, Okla.
SE champion vs. Great Lakes champion, 4:30 p.m. August 24

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Arnold Solmon's N.C. Prep Football News

Taken from Kinston Free Press Sports Editor Bryan Hanks' blog and couldn't agree more ...

The very best statewide prep football publication is set to be released on Monday. Arnold Solomon’s N.C. Prep Football News is a great source for high school football in the Tar Heel state.

You can order yours by mailing $17 ($12 for the book, $5 for shipping) to Deana King at P.O. Box 613, Hamptonville, N.C., 27020. For more information, visit ncpreps.com or e-mail Deana at gatarams@yahoo.com.

Sunday, July 8, 2007

HR Derby predecition

Monday, 8 p.m., ESPN

As usual, the 2007 edition of the derby in San Francisco features some big-time sluggers. The defending champ Ryan Howard has to be the favorite, and will probably launch a few into McCovey Cove. But I’m going with Detroit’s Magglio Ordonez to win it in his first-ever appearance in the annual event.

Here's the lineup
St. Louis' Albert Pujols, Milwaukee's Prince Fielder, Philadelphia's Ryan Howard, Florida's Miguel Cabrera, Minnesota's Justin Morneau, Detroit's Magglio Ordonez and Vladimir Guerrero of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Note: SI.com is reporting Toronto's Miquel Rios is participating, but he's not listed on the MLB site.

Who do y'all like in this one?

Over/Under on Chris Berman's "Back-Back-Back-Back gone" yells is set at 95. I'll take the over.
Over/Under on kayak injuries going after home run balls in McCovey Cove is set at 2. That's a push. They're pretty peaceful folks out there.

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Shelby Post 82-Caldwell Co. Post 29 game notes

Tuesday's game
Caldwell County 5, Shelby 3

Youth movement: The starting pitchers - Shelby's Brett Mabry and Caldwell's Cody Poarch - will both be juniors in high school next season. Both pitchers turned in composed efforts with Mabry giving up just one run on five hits through five and Poarch yielding three runs (two earned) on five hits through seven.

"It was two young pitchers going tonight and both of them did very well I thought," Post 29 coach Gary Hamby said.

Increasing the margin: A half inning before Caldwell's big rally, Post 82's Seth Canipe brought in Corey Cline with a sacrfice fly to center in the bottom of the eighth to make it 3-1 at the time.

Welcome back Kyle: Kyle Kendrick, who has been in the hospital
for nearly a week due to severe dehydration, did not play but returned to the Post 82 dugout for Tuesday's game. When he was told he could leave the hospital, Kendrick said, "I was grinning from ear-to-ear."
Kendrick also said his condition would be re-evaluated next week.

"It was a surprise ... he just kind of popped up after we took infield. We're a big family here, and everybody was excited to see him," Post 82 assistant coach Dillon Beaver said.

Sunday, July 1, 2007

From Sea to Shining Sea

Happy Independence Day! A special thanks to all the veterans - especially my father - and the brave men and women currently serving in the military in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

Cool quote about our forefathers from the movie "National Treasure" ...
"So, here's to the men who did what was considered wrong in order to do what they knew was right."

In honor of July 4, here are a few of my favorite patriotic youtube finds.

Easily the best rendition of America the Beautiful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_41Akn71yj4&mode=related&search=

Say you want about Whitney Houston now, but she nailed the Star Spangled Banner at Super Bowl XXV. Too bad Scott Norwood didn't nail ... (I can't even finish it).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYhio8EXdWA

George W. Bush supporter or not, this was a great World Series moment ... and a heck of a WS between the Diamondbacks and Yankees I might add.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaoryQ0oLh8&mode=related&search=