April 30 2010

Mornin', reader.  And isn't it a lovely morning?

Story #1 - Since the big news of the past 24 hours is the fact that the Washington Capitals were upset by the Montreal Canadiens and I've been hammering them (and their fans) for losing to basically the #16 seed of the hockey playoffs (since the Canadiens were the last team into the playoffs) after being up 3 games to 1, I feel it necessary to point out a good story related to the Capitals. While I certainly don't agree with her that all the Capitals are great people there is a player we can all agree on...well at least in this case. After the game a lady and her daughter broke down on their way home, not far from the arena and after a few minutes of standing there watching the cars go by a nice SUV pulls over to help and out steps Capitals' Forward Brooks Laich. Not only did he stop but he changed the tire for the women and even gave them hugs after. See there's something nice I've said about the Caps. Here's a link to the story if you'd like to read it for yourself: here 

See I told the other side of the story. Back to your crying, Caps fans as this was the only bright spot.

Story #2 - J.T. Thomas, as many of us already know, is a 2nd generation Mountaineer. Apparently ESPN has figured that out, too. Here's a link to Brian Bennett's article on J.T. here

Story #3 - I guess this is my let's give credit where credit is due piece, but you have to hand it to new Marshall Head Basketball Coach, Tom Herrion, as he's putting together a pretty solid staff of coaches. It was reported yesterday (or so) he has hired Oklahoma assistant coach (and native of West Virginia) Mark Cline. Cline is the second assistant to leave Oklahoma this off-season. Article here. 

Story #4 -  Marshall is having to deal with post-coach turmoil much like WVU had to go through with two of their past coaches. It appears things are getting a little messy with the Donnie Jones buyout, much like what happened with the coaches that departed for Michigan. See for yourself here.

Not so fun when it happens to you, huh?

Story #5 -  Rapper Eminem is the most recent person (that has no business talking about anyone else's character or activities) to weigh in on the Ben Roethlisberger situation with a line in his new "song" (if that's what you call rap tracks). It goes something like blah blah blah bathroom stall. 

It actually is said/rapped this way: 

"[Expletive that], I'd rather turn this club into a bar room brawl. Get as rowdy as Roethlisberger in a bathroom stall."


Read more about it here.

Just remember what my buddy Adam told me one time..."you can't spell crap, without rap."

Story #6 - The Steelers really need some good stories written about them and their players so it has been nice to hear about some of the great things that their most recent draft picks have encountered. Here's an example for you (also check out the article on 1st round pick Maurkice Pouncey here) of what all their 2nd round pick has gone through...

Jason Worilds may be from Virginia Tech, but everything I've heard about him thus far is pretty admirable. As I mentioned the other day his legal name was actually Jason Adjepong (given to him by his father) but he went to the courthouse and legally reclaimed his name BACK to what it was originally when he was born, Worilds, to honor his mother who raised him. Click here.

Story #7 - And the last article I'll post on the list for today is one from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that speaks to a subject I constantly preach about...passing to the tight end more often. The Tight End position is always the position that you hear teams talk about in the off-season as a position that they need to get the ball to more often the next season...and most of the time that ends up being an empty promise. I, for one, hope that this report is true that says WVU plans to employ the TE more often this season due to the obvious lack of depth/experience at the wide receiver position. Click here.

That's all the articles, stories or information that I have to directly pass along for today.

One final idea though is if you're looking for something to do, want a break from studying for finals or just happen to be near Mountaineer Field (the real name of the football stadium) stop by the Gold-Blue game (also remember to call it this, not Blue-Gold) and watch the football team's spring game. I will not be able to attend for the first time in quite a while but from being there in the past it can be a fun experience if you round up a few people and head over. This year the event is scheduled for 7pm (Friday - as in TODAY) but if you should head over around 5:30pm as they will have areas set up to meet-and-greet former players beforehand. Then there will be an alumni ("old timers") game with some relatively big name former players playing touch football (so they don't break anything) followed by the intra-squad scrimmage to conclude the spring football season. From being there in the past I watched Pat White emerge and dazzle the fans in attendance and it was well worth the small price ($5 which all proceeds go to the WVU Children's Hospital anyway) of admittance. And I'm sure with a lot of young and talented players on this years team it would be a great season to go and get a first-hand look at what your Mountaineers will look like in the fall, who may have a break out year or it might just give you one last Mountaineer experience if you're graduating. Whatever the case may be, check it out - and then report back to me who you saw that you think will make an impact this year based on what you saw, and we'll see if there's a consensus player that everyone sees as the break-out player for this year. Click here for more info on the Gold-Blue game.

Thanks for reading.

I'm Ron Burgundy?