Unnecessary Celebration
By Jesse Newell
Originally published 08:30 a.m., October 10, 2006
Updated 08:30 a.m., October 10, 2006
Tuesday thoughts while still wondering whether Emporia State football fans really are as loud as they were two weeks ago against Pittsburg State.
• It’s really tough to tell whether the Chiefs are good this year. After four games, I’m not sure. Guess we’re not used to the whole offense AND defense thing.
• Anyone else noticed that Herm Edwards looks totally lost and confused every time the TV camera finds him at Chiefs games?
• The Arizona Cardinals found the perfect way to defend Chiefs’ receiver Samie Parker: leave him wide open. Evidently the only catches he can make are the one-handed ones while being interfered with and tapping two feet in the back of the end zone for touchdowns. The rest — those with no one around him thrown into his chest — have been the most adventurous.
• Antrel Rolle should be suspended at least one game for his attempt at ripping Larry Johnson’s head off. At least Robert Geathers’ hit on Trent Green was in the flow of the game. Rolle’s rip looked anything but unintentional.
• George Steinbrenner went public with his criticism of the Yankees this week, calling his team’s result “a sad failure.” I bet the Royals wish they could “fail” enough to win 97 games and have the best record in the Major Leagues.
• A-Rod batting eighth? Sounds like Joe Torre wanted to be fired.
• Someone needs to alert the Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals that they did not win the World Series. Heck, they’re not even in the World Series. I like celebrations as much as the next guy, but drenching your fans in champagne after a Division Series win is a little extreme. Save the bubbly for the big show. And pretend, for a week, as if you don’t think this is the last time you’ll celebrate this season.
• I can’t decide whether Kansas State fans are looking forward more to the KU-KSU football game or the KU-KSU basketball game. Right now, it’s probably close.
• You think Kansas coach Mark Mangino might be second-guessing his decision to play more television games? Now the entire nation is exposed to his late-game bumblings.
• Basketball teams start practice this weekend. And I feel as if football just started.
• It’s funny that everyone you talk to seems to have a Buck O’Neil story. Here’s mine:
While covering him at the Northern League All-Star Game in July, I saw him stop a young reporter in mid-sentence during a press conference when she didn’t call him by the correct title.
She had used the phrase, “Mr. O’Neil.” He wouldn’t answer her question until she called him “Buck.”
The woman smiled. And then she called him Buck.
• I picked up a certain Detroit Lions’ wide receiver to help carry my fantasy football team. Didn’t work. He left in the first quarter with an injury after one catch for seven yards.
Should have known not to depend on a Roy Williams.
• For more sports commentary, tune into the Emporia Sports Buzz online at emporiagazette.com.