Where have All The Guards Gone

The ACC-Big Ten Challenge seems to be that this year is a ACC challenge just to look good on the court. Who would have ever thought that the only two wins for the ACC would be Wake and Virginia. Florida State, Clemson, Georgia Tech and Carolina all looked lost on offense. They are all as it seems the conference is caught short without any reliable guard play this year.

Tonight Duke and State try to keep the ACC alive but the Pack plays at Wisconsin which will not be easy. I think this is the first time that Duke has ever play in Cameron Indoor during the Challenge. They have always gone to bigger venues like Greensboro for more crowds.

The Lady Gryphons lost for the first time last night at South Central. They lost by 10. Pam Gainey's quest for her 300th victory has two more chances this week as Beddingfield and SouthWest Edgecombe are on tap tonight and Friday. It will take two wins for 300. The boys beat SC by one last night. This makes them 3-1 on this young season.

How much longer will the NFL keep giving Harrison with the Steelers his weekly $25,000 fine for illegal hits. He has been hit with $125,000 worth of fines for leading with the helmet. It is obvious to me that the only way he will stop will be to sit several games. You know the problem with trying to sit him out is the Players Association probably would not stand for it.

The Mr. Yankee image that Derek Jeter has is taking a big hit this off season. The Yankees have offered a three year deal but Jeter wants a four year deal plus five million more than what the Yankees are willing to give. Seems now that George is gone from the picture that his sons are not obsessed with having to having the best player at any cost. Let me rephrase that the Yankees not longer are paying the most money just to have the highest paid player. Jeter is in his mid thirty's and has only been average the last two seasons. The Yankee offer is much more than what Jeter is worth.

I would like to end this morning with sad news. Hardly anyone in Rocky Mount probably knows this name but over the weekend a coaching friend Bing Mitchell died from cancer. Bing was born in the big city of Aulander in Bertie County. After graduating from ECU which is a big accomplishment for any one from Aulander, Bing found himself coaching football.

Bing eventually became head football coach at his high school Bertie. Just from being from Aulander just down the road from Ahoskie I knew Bing for a long time and through radio on Friday nights. His mother use to call me when I work at the radio staion in Ahoskie and the conversation sooner or later always we would talk about Bing.

He passed through Washington, Northside and others during his career. The last time I actually talked with Bing was during the Scrimmage back in 2008 when he was assistant coach for South Central as a retired double dipper. I think Bing was sick then but he continued to press on. North Carolina high school football lost a good one with the passing of Bing Mitchell.