Mr. Yankee Calls It Quits

The  20 year baseball career of Derek Jeter is over.  If you look at his career numbers he has over 3,400 hits which should be enough by itself to make the Hall Of Fame.  His career 310 batting average  is pretty good too.

If there was ever a player who could deliver when the spotlight was on it is Derek Jeter.  He was steady but never a great defensive shortstop. He did however win five Gold Gloves.   He always seemed to do the right thing.  Remember the World Series game when Jeter flipped the ball to home to cut down a runner when he was in foul territory on the first base side ten feet from home plate.  What in the world is the short stop doing there?  He just knew where the ball was going to be on a throw from the outfield.

Despite being a Hall of Famer in waiting the Yankees will be a better team next year because they have become old.  If you look at New York City teams and I say that as the Giants, Knicks and Yankees the news media if you play for those teams make you great and those sports organization hold on to players too long because of media pressure and fans expectations from media hype.

The Dallas Cowboys need to keep Demarco Murray Healthy.  This newly discovered running game made them look like world beaters last night.  We all know the Cowboys will finish 8-8.  Isn't this the way the NFC East goes.  Every four games another team looks unbeatable and the team that was 2-6 wins the division.

In case you haven't heard the Packers and the Bears did not punt in their game yesterday.  It is only the second time in NFL history  that there were no punts in a game.  The last time that happened was 1990 when Buffalo and San Fransico met and the quarterbacks were Jim Kelly and Steve Young.  They both passed for over 400 yards   And 1100 total yards.  The score was 34-31.

Sunday the San Diego Chargers rushed for 42 yards on 20 attempts which is awful.  No problem as Philip Rivers throws for 377 yards  and three touchdowns .  His top two rushers out with injury, he was sacked twice and hit on several other attempts Rivers manages to avoid the rush and for the 24th straight game throws a touchdown pass which is a San Diego a Charger Franchise record .

Gurley Continues To Be A Monster

Todd Gurley goes over 200 yards rushing for the first time in his college career but unless Georgia comes up with a defense Georgia will not win enough games to help Todd win the Heisman even though he has shown through four games he is the best player in college  football.  Gurley had over 100 yards rushing in the fourth quarter alone.
Those of you that thought N C State wasn't that good after   the so called poor schedule had better take notice now.  They showed today with good quarterback play  they can play with anyone.  The first time this year Florida State's offense looked like last year's national championship team.  However  The Pack rushed for way too many yards on Florida State for them to make it to the National Championship game. As much improvement as the Wolfpack has shown you could just see they didn't have enough speed to play with FSU.


The Battling Bishops went on the road Saturday and won at Ferrum  34-30.  Jacque Alston rushed for more yards than Todd Gurley 218 and lead they way.  NCW now stands at 2-2 on the 2014 football season.  They are home next Saturday at 1pm.  If you have been by the Sports Complex lately you will notice there are signs calling the Football stadium at the sports Complex as Bishops Stadium.


Just about everyone in the area has completed their non-conference schedule, there will be a big game next Friday as Tarboro travels to Southern Nash.  Big East fans probably can look and see the top three being Fike, Hunt and Northern Nash.  The bottom tier looks like Southern Nash, Rocky Mount and Nash Central.  What order is up for debate.
North Carolina has scored 76 points the last two games but were outscored by 44.  You know ECU had a defense like this in Ruffin McNeil's first season in Greeenville.  This is not the first year for Larry Fedora in Chapel Hill.
Wake Forest and Duke both had no offense at all in their losses on Saturday.  Duke offense the fourth quarter was throw into double coverage and hope.
Finally this fall Pat and I have followed Campbell volleyball as we have passed through Texas, California, Arizona, Virginia and Maryland. Friday night the Lady Camels in front of about 700 fans at home in Buies Creek won their conference opener beating their top rival High Point in four sets. Morgan's freshman year the Lady Camels lost all 14 conference games and last year under new coach Greg Goral were 6-8 in the Big South. That did not get a top eight spot in and a conference tournament invite. The Lady Camels look as if they will be middle of the Big South and if they are in the conference Tournament we will add South Carolina to our road travels as the conference tournament is at Coastal Carolina in Conway. Look out Mytrle Beach here we come.

All Four Public Nash County Schools On the Road

Rocky Mount High School scored a touchdown in the first and second quarter to take a 14-0 lead on The Hawks of Triton High.  Juane Sanders scored from five yards out to put the Gryphons on the board in the first and Nick Bynum scored in the second on a 3yarder to give the Gryphons a 14-0 lead in the second.  Triton had a eleven yard run by Juwan Thompson to cut the Gryphon lead to 14-7 at the half.

Bynum scored again in the third to give the Gryphons a two touchdown advantage and Chase Miller added all three extra points as the Gryphons hold off the Hawks 21-7.  Rocky Mount rushed for 133 yards in the game while Triton had 146.  The stats were close during the game as Triton passed for 31 yards while Josh Carter and Forest Bell combined for 67 giving the Gryphons a 200 to 177 lead in total yardage.  The Gryphons go to 4-2 heading to a week off before conference play starts two weeks from tonight at Nash Central.

Speaking of Nash Central the Bulldogs had plenty to worry about tonight as Hillside shuts out the Dogs 47-0 to add the Nash Central's misery in losing their 19th straight game.

Northern Nash made a trip down I-95 just a little shorter than the Gryphons did stopping in Smithfield to play the Spartans of Smithfield Selma. Seems as Randy Raper Knights are primed for Big East play as Northern dominates SSS 42-0.

Can't wait to hear about this one as Southern Nash made a trip to Ayden to take on Ayden-Grifton and this game comes down to a missed extra point.  Can't wait to hear whether it is a missed kick or if AG missed a two point try but the Firebirds win 7-6.

Rocky Mount Academy continues to roll as they smother Lawrence 64-8.  Seems as if every year fewer and fewer teams are playing eight man football.  The Eagle success recently bringing more players out for football might be time to make the jump to 11 man.

As expected North Edgecombe had little trouble with Kipp Pride winning 52-8.

The one game win streak for Rocky Mount Prep is over as SE Halifax manhandled the Jags  58-8

Hunt rolled over Beddingfield 42-12 and I'm interested in this score Fike 41- South Johnston 35.  Only picked seven games this week and went 7-0.

Last Chance To Prepare For Conference

Last week went 7-2 for the second week in a row to run my over all record for this high school now stands at 35-10.  Several teams need to get themselves in order while several just need to refine what is working.  Limited schedule this week as both Tarboro and SouthWest Edgecombe are off

Rocky Mount@Triton:  Two years ago when these two signed to play each other both needed each other for a quality non conference game.  Not this year as Triton is winless and after what Rocky Mount has faced the last two weeks they need to play a quality team to get their house in order. A romp will not do them any good.  If this one is close then Rocky Mount has big problems.  Gryphons 35 Triton 13

Rocky Mount Prep@ SE HAlifax:  Two wins on the season but three will not come this week as SEH will host and take down the Jags.  SEH 32 Prep 16

Northern Nash @Smithfield Selma:  I like it when conference foes take on the same teams that others have played. Last week Fike played SSS and this week Northern.  I think Northern gets settle for conference with another big win.  Northern 44 SSS 13

Beddingfield @Hunt:  This  is big one in Wilson County.  So far Hunt hasn't played to the level we consider Hunt like while Beddingfield lost by 25 to Fike.  This will be closer.  Hunt 26 Beddingfield 20.

Nash Central @ Hillside:  Hillside has been picked to be one of the best in 4-A the last two years and they have never quite gotten to that level of superior.  Despite that they are plenty good to handle Nash Central who has proven to be a bottom feeder again this year.  Hillside 52-Nash Central 20

South Johnston @Fike:  Not close at all Fike 53 SJ14

Lawrence Academy @ RMA : The Eagles soar again as they take down the visitors from Bertie County.  49-14.

Just about all the Big East teams will be off next week as two weeks the conference plays starts for them.  As far as the Big East is concerned looks like Fike is the team to beat as thought and Hunt and Northern chasing close behind.  Question marks remain about Rocky Mount and Southern while Nash Central needs to have something good to happen to them

Bad Week For A Bye

If I was Ruffin McNeil I would want to play somebody this week after winning as Carolina calls it ECU's Super Bowl.  Two weeks off before a Poor SMU team might not be the best thing for the Pirates resting on their laurels. Last week had a mediocre 6-4 record losing both games played in Rocky Mount to extend my college pick record to 36-10 for the season.

 Congratulations to Shaun Draughn from Tarboro high extending his life in the NFL after being dropped by the Bears.  The San Diego Chargers picked him up Wednesday to replace injured  Danny Woodhouse and Ryan Matthews.  Draughn has played in a total of 22 NFL games to date having played on special teams in the Bears first two games this year. His career so far he has made the teams he has played for as a special teams player with back up running back where he has been able to lumber for 256 career rushing yards.  Unless you have Direct tv NFL package should see the Chargers a lot on tv after this week.  They play the lowly Jacksonville Jags so no National coverage this week.

Western Michigan @ Virginia Tech:  The Hokies need to beat somebody and it might as well be W Michigan.  36- 22

Colorado State @ Boston College: Here's one that I know nothing about the Rams.  This game is as BC so I pick them  36-28

Akron @ Pitt:  This is one of those games at the end of year you can't afford to lose.  Pitt 37-13

Florida State @ NC State:  I think the Pack is better than what people realize and I don's see FSU # 1 for long.  Just quite can't pull the trigger for N C State but I think this is a great game.  FSU 26 Pack 23

Kent State @ Virginia:  Hoos all the way  44-14

Wake Forest @ Louisville:  Have you ever noticed that the Deacs win games when you don't think they have a chance, but not this week   36-18 the Cards.

NC @ Clemson:  Who can win a game when both teams should be spitting nails after the losses last week.  Clemson gave one away while Carolina gave way.  Clemson 35 Carolina 24

Duke @ Miami:  Might be the hardest game in the country to pick this week.  I believe in CUT  Duke 38 Miami 34

Notre Dame @ Syracuse:  If Maryland can beat the Cuse so can the Irish.  37-23

N C Wesleyan @ Ferrum:  The Battling Bishops are hard to figure out.  Ferrum 32-NCW21

NFL Good Week Of Picks

Last week went  13-3 to jump  to 33-15 on the year. Picked road teams Chargers and Steelers beating undefeated on the road.   Six teams start the week off process so there is only 13 games coming up this week including the unnessary game in London.  Here we go looking for a perfect week.

The lowly Giants come to Washington to face  the much improved offense of the Redskins but look there is also the defensive side to every team.  I think Skins win in DC or Landover wherever Fed Ex Field is.  31-17

Green Bay at Chicago.  What is wrong with Green Bay? They have the look of a team that once they put it together could be trouble for every one.  But, right now they look like a machine needing oil.  Bears at home 26-23.

Buffalo at Houston.  On the road lost to the Giants,  This is a real flip a coin game.  This game will tell us a lot about Buffalo.  I can't put money on Emanuel on the road but the Bills have a defense.  Low scoring  Houston 19 Buffalo 12.

Tennessee at Indy:  Tennessee just can't score enough to win this game Colts 41 Tenn 21

Carolina at Baltimore:  I'm still not sold on Cam even when he's healthy.  He has type injuries he  keeps playing will not be healthy this year.  D will keep it close but Baltimore is my pick 26-17

Detroit at Jets:  Which Lions team shows up? Which Jets team shows up?  Detroit wins 17-12.

Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh:  Tampa will be better with Mike Glennon at quarterback their only problem
 Is Tampa is not very good. Pittsburgh 34 Tampa 20

Miami at Oakland:  look out the Raider nation wins this one 23-20.

Jacksonville at San Diego: My only worry about this game is will the Chargers lose one they ought to win and spoil their start against quality teams.  Jax is a breeze if Chargers show up. 35-13 Chargers

Philadelphia at San Fransico: Frisco doesn't look like the power team they have been lately.  Philly scores but they give up a lot too. oh boy, who to pick in this one?  I'll takes Niners but don't know why 32-27.

Falcons at Vikings:  I think the Vikings are playing ok or better than everyone thinks.  Atlanta needs a  win as so Far New Orleans not playing well and Panthers have a five week stretch of contending  teams.  A win on the road and it might be the Falcons who are the NFC South's best team.  Don't think so Viking 24 ATL 20

New Orleans at Dallas: Don't know yet about the Saints but if the Boys want to be more than a win one lose one team they need this one.  Saints keep the Boys being the Boys  37-24

New England at KC:  So far Pats not very impressive and KC  is acting better than expected.  This game will tell us about Brady and company.  KC 27 New England 23

The NFL is a league where the best team is only a touchdown better than the worse in most cases games come down to the one that wants it the most.  It is hard to bet against a team that is desperate over a team that is fat and happy.  Find it hard to see any team in the league being better than 12-4 but somewhere there will be somebody that will be 13-3 or better.

At Least A Few Moments Without Ray Rice Talk

I told you Friday night of our trip to University of Maryland Eastern Shore to follow Campbell volleyball over the weekend.   Yes we found a motel room for Friday night and we made a decision to come home Saturday night after volleyball which ended around 8:30 pm.   By the way Campbell won the tournament and heading to this weekend conference play starts they stand 8-7 having lost to four teams in the volleyball top 50.

So at 8:30 we head home to Rocky Mount which is about a 4 hour and 45 minute trip.  We had to stop in Franklin Va. To get 2.99 a gallon gas so we pull in the driveway at 1:40 am.  I did an unforgivable and did not go to church Sunday so by the time I got up the NFL pregame shows are on all the channels.  It didn't take long to tire of the Ray Rice talk.  Please Sunday is game day lets stick to football instead of who lied, who knew and who knew what when.  I really at this point am ready to rid the Ray Rice talk about the same as all the political ad lies all over TV.  I turn off the football shows to watch a  1950 black and white movie.

The football was worth watching as for almost all the games I didn't hear the name Ray Rice once.  We live in the moment these days and if the Super Bowl was Sunday I think Phoenix would represent the NFC and at this point the AFC is more wide open.

I don't think New England will be around by the conference championship game.  Indy gives up too many points,  despite losing to Seattle I can see the Denver D is better but there is no way their offense can have the year they had last year. I see San Diego giving everyone in the AFC trouble.  Cincy looks as good as anybody but I need to see more when the tough games start. This is of course  only week three  so next week everything will completely change.

I find it hard to believe having heard some of the comments coming from the Carolina football players after the A Stomping they took.  This game means more  to ECU than us.  It's their Super Bowl.  College players need to realize that it is a privilege to play college football and when injury can strike on any play and your college career could end they need to act as if every game is their Super Bowl. 

Comments like these are some of the reason you hear people say ABC anybody but Carolina.  There is an attitude in Chapel Hill that they are better than everyone else and I don't know how you can become better until you admit that you had your head handed to you on a silver platter.  It is obvious  since Mack brown left that Carolina football is an elite program right?  Until they humble themselves Carolina will be an also ran  because until you admit we are not as good as we think they will never get better.

The Futures  Tour season ended Sunday and Cousin Lauren Doughtie finished 49th on the year leaving her to hope to make the LPGA in November when they have a qualifying school when only 4 or 5 out of 144 will make the tour.  Her scoring average was 73.48 while the top money winner averaged 71.22.  Even with our hopes of being on the LPGA tour 73.48 will not cut it so it will be better to come back to the Futures Tour next year.