Mobile Quarterback Dilemma

Can the mobile quarterbacks of the world like RG 3 ever become the staple of all NFL QB's?  That is the dilemma for NFL executives as if you look at the history of NFL  mobile QB's they just don't last.  The Washington Redskins came out of the box Sunday and RG 3 looked like a world beater and then it happened an injury.  It is by the way his second of the season.

Most mobile quarterbacks when the NFL tries to make them into a pocket passing quarterback to save their health  they were not brought up that way  and can't do it.  Vince Young being a good example.  Where  is he any way, what he is all of 27 years old?  If the mobile QB is the rage how long will it last when quarterbacks like Peyton Manning a true pocket passer can give you 15 years and a Michael Vick gives you four years and then four years of what could have been.

My next question today is why it is that the NFL does not believe in letting the backups play until it is kneel down time.  I don't care what level you play I think your backup quarterback should get playing time every game the second series of the game.  He needs important time in a game to get the feel of the game.  The NFL never uses backups even when the starter stinks on a particular day and somebody else you know could do better.

The perfect example was just yesterday when it was clear RG 3 could not throw the ball off his injured knee.  Of all the teams the Redskins have won this year with the backup in the game.  It was clear coaching lost the Redskin game by the lack of changing QB's when the starter was only able to look like he was 60%.  My thinking is if you backup is not at least 75% as good as the starter you might as well not have a backup if you are afraid to use them.

Yeah, the NHL is back.  Maybe we will get to see the Hurricanes around the 19th of January.  I have about got to the point where I don't care one way or the other whether we ever have hockey again.  If the Canes can make the playoffs maybe my interest will come back.

The ACC basketball season started this weekend and Duke won but didn't blast away on Wake like I thought they would.  It will be interesting to watch this team Saturday in Raleigh against State in a truly unruly atmosphere.  I think Duke is real good but not Final Four good.


N C State lost games last year when they played big men. Boston College had two big men.  Maybe they weren't great basketball players but State had a hard time getting to the basket.  Kansas and Carolina had great big men last  season and State stayed close but lost to those big men teams.  That I think is their achilles Heel again this year.

I think last night Carolina gave all their fans a reality check that this year's team has a long way to go.    Their point guard play  is very suspect.  The good news is that could get better as the season goes on but their next problem is who is their go to guy?  You know Mcadoo was a roll player last year is is better than last but I don't see him being a sophomore All American like this years team needs.

Blowouts Are Not Always Good

You just don't know how many people asked me on Saturday was Nash Central that bad against Rocky Mount Friday night?  My answer is this, no they weren't that bad it's just Rocky Mount is that good.  If The Bulldogs are second or the third best team in the Big East then where will the close games come for the Gryphons?

Looks right now like next Friday night will answer that question when Hunt comes calling on the Gryphons.  Hunt at this point seems to be the only team capable of stopping Rocky Mount from a second straight undefeated regular season.  Can they give the Gryphons a test?  I hope they can as the Gryphons need  to have somebody give them a tussle in the fourth quarter.  If Hunt can't  then the only team capable of stopping the Gryphons may be the Gryphons themselves.  If is extremely hard for a team to sustain the level the Gryphons are playing right now and if somebody doesn't slap the Gryphons in the face lackadaisical play could could set in over the next five weeks.

The Lady Gryphons for the third year in a row will square off with Northern Nash.  If this season is a horse race Northern has about a three length lead going down the backstretch.  J'Kyra Brown might be having one of the finest seasons in the history of Rocky Mount girls basketball and she is doing it with two players on her most of the time.  Nash Central tried all sorts of defenses against her and I can see fatigue being an issue for her this year with the beatings teams are giving her banging her all game long.

The Lady Gryphons had a solid defense and any time Rocky Mount plays any team that is weak handling the ball they won't have a chance against The Gryphons.  Certainly that is not an issue for Northern Nash.  Friday Brown made a couple of threes otherwise every point came from within five feet of the basket either layups off steals, drives to the basket or put backs after rebounds.  Carmen Richardson had a few attempts from the outside but none fell in.  If I am Pam Gainey I want Carmen and Destini Parker to keep shooting  from the outside for as this season keeps going they need to help open up the middle for Kelsey Daniels and of course J'Kyra.

If you think about it Northern Nash girls are undefeated over the last year and a half if  they didn't lose to Rocky Mount.   They could have easily been in Chapel Hill if the Gryphons had not had home court advantage in the sectional. They won a big one last week beating Chapel Hill who was #1 in all the polls.  Northern is probably the biggest team in the state and I don't mean tallest.  All five on the court play as one and they are capable of putting ten out there on the court and not lose any thing to their team concept.

Rumor Mill Time:  Folks in Tarboro are scare to death that Jeff Craddock may not be back next year as coach of the Vikings now that the Vikings are dropping to 1-A in the next four year realignment.  I have heard he  might be heading to Greenville Rose to be their new football coach.  It's not that far of a drive 19 miles to Greenville from Tarboro.  I don't think the folks in Viking land would feel all that bad if they were to lose Craddock to a big program like Rose.  If it is true that he has interviewed there.  Rose would be crazy not to hire him.  Who could possibly interview for that job that would have a better resume' that is a three time state champion and five straight state championship game appearances? 

Never Knew Of That Rule

If you watched the Fiesta Bowl game the other night then you saw a play in college football that I didn't know existed.  A safety worth one point.  Didn't know there was such a rule.  It does make sense however that if the defense can block the extra point attempt or cause a fumble on the extra point try and run 100 yards for two points that if the defense gets tackled in their on enzone it should count for something.  It is as we all found out worth one point.

Those of you that didn't see it.  Kansas State blocked an extra point try  and while the ball is rolling free they attempted to run in their own enzone while trying to advance the ball all the way down to the other end of the field.  They were tackled in their own enzone and a one point safety was given to the kicking team.  Never heard of that rule, didn't know it existed and now my question is if the team that's kick got blocked  and they can get a one point safety after the defense lost only two yards why is the two point safety worth only two points when the team blocking the kick has to run almost 100 yards to earn those two points. Seems to me all that running should be worth more than that.

Monday night Alabama and Notre Dame play for the National Championship in college football.  I am picking Bama 24-10.  You know the perception of the Southeastern Conference being such a powerhouse football conference that Bama is kind of the favorite in this game just because they are the SEC team playing in this game in which the SEC has won six straight times.   Not so fast my friend.  The SEC has taken it on the chin in Bowl games so far this year.  I don't care for the excuse that the teams didn't care to go to that bowl game. Just maybe the SEC isn't the all powerful OZ this year as in the past.  That maybe true but I don't see the Fighting Irish winning this one anyway.

Today starts the ritual of the NFL playoffs.  Here is  my flip of the coin on who's going to win.

Indy at Baltimore.  I know everyone is all up in arms how great these three rookie quarterbacks are but as the season has unfolded Indy played a last place schedule and Andrew Luck only had a 75 QB rating when all the dust has settled on this year.  Indy plays outside in Baltimore, Ray Lewis playing in possibly his last game in Baltimore.  Ravens 27 Colts 13

Minnesota at Green Bay.  Tonight just might be the frozen Tundra.  Yesterdays high in Green Bay was 15 and this game is starting at 7pm Green Bay time.  Minnesota plays inside and these two teams just played at the Vikes last week.  Green Bay 24  Vikings 17

Seattle at Washington.  The battle of the best two rookie qb's in the NFL.  Most experts are picking the Hawks in this one.  Russell Wilson has been great down the stretch for Seattle but they were 3-5 on the road and this game is in Washington.  You know Washington played  a game and a half without their stud QB  when RG3 got hurt late in the season and they still won.  Skins 28 Seahawks 23

Cincinnati at Houston.  Six weeks ago Houston was on the way to the Super Bowl as maybe the best team in the NFL.  Looks like they peaked too early.  The Bengals are a solid team but the question is can they win on the road.  I say yes.  Bengals 35 Houston 24

The ACC basketball season gets cranked up this weekend and it all starts with Duke and Wake today.

Gryphons Take A Bite Out Of The Dogs

By the time this season is over I think you will be able to look back and say that this year's Nash Central Bulldog team was a good one.  Tonight however the Rocky Mount Gryphons made them look like a jv team playing the varsity as Rocky Mount humbles Nash Central 81-37. 

Midway of the first quarter the Gryphons lead 10-8 but went on a 10-0 run to finish the quarter  and then held the Bulldogs to just 6 points in the second and it was over by the half at 39-14.  To make it even worse Rocky Mount came out of the half and score the first 13 points of the third and the gym emptied of Nash Central fans at 52-14.

The Gryphons are just so big and athletic that the Bulldogs never could find a opening to get open shots and when you force it most of the time you will not make it. Rocky Mount dominated the boards winning that part of the game 44-30.  The Gryphons forced 29 turnovers while they had 20 most of that was sloppy second and third teamers in the game for much of the second quarter and second half.

Donte Battle lead the Gryphons with 16 and M J Gainey lit it up from the outside with 15. Nine other Gryphons scored.  Michael Hines 8, Jaquel Bryant 8, Kenaz Cooper 7, Austin Warner 6, Mason Hines 6, Jaequez Jones 6, Immanuel King 4, Broderick Caudle 3 and Tony Batts 2.

Nate Pittman lead the Bulldogs with 10 and brother Daniel had 9.

The Lady Gryphons never really had a period of dominance but  a steady pull-a-way lead the Ladies to a 64-47 win over the Lady Bulldogs.  J'Kyra Brown didn't not make a field goal in the second half after Rocky Mount nursed a 32-28 halftime lead but Kelsey Daniels and Carmen Richardson picked up the slack.  Daniels has 16 rebounds  and 14 points while Richardson had 19 points.  Brown who had 17 at the half finished with 20 on the game.

Timyra Staton and Niya Styles did all they could for the Bulldogs getting 20 and 16  but with the Gryphons having three leading scorers and Nash Central two the difference in the game was Nash Central didn't have a third scorer to match Rocky Mount.

The Lady Gryphons won the boards 34-21 and turnovers Nash Central had 23 to Rocky Mount's 18.  During halftime  the Gryphons honored the late Charles Alston with a tribute.  Rocky Mount sits a a top of the Big East with Northern Nash who had little trouble with Hunt winning 55-34 while Hunt boys beat Northern 63-41.

The Gryphons don't play again until next Friday night at home against Hunt.  Tonight was the first packed house in the new gym and if there is one difference in the new one over the old gym was you could feel the air conditioning  keeping the place comfortable where the old barn would have been a hot house.

How Good Are These Gryphons?

Yes Rocky Mount High School is the defending State 3-A basketball Champions.  They now stand at 11-1.  I am not sure all of us guessers at how teams will be when seasons start out thought that the Gryphons were going to be this good.  Yes we all thought they had a really nice club coming back but 11-1 good?

Conference play starts Friday so the season is just starting but so far Rocky Mount has taken on four 4-A schools at won all four by double digits.  Every body knew that junior Donte Battle was becoming a man inside  as last year finished up.  Who knew that one of the other tall trees was going to be a defensive beast.  Jaquel Bryant at times looks shaky handling the ball but when you have the ball and are heading to the basket good luck if you get a shot off without his hand some where on the ball.  Then transfer big man Immanuel King  gets better every game and he too doesn't like any body trying to score in the lane.

So compared to last year , this year's front court is better than last year.  Where this team has to get better is ball handling.  Mason Hines so far has been the point guard bringing the ball up and at times  tends to not know where the ball is going when he passes to others. Despite that his defense and his driving to the basket ability make him a threat every trip down the court.  Brother Michael tends to let the game flow to him  and is a good rebounder for a guard.  When the outside shot is needed M J Gainey has been lights out so far  to help loosen up the middle for the big guys.

Those six will be able to play with anybody but in the Mike Gainey system  somebody has to step up to give quality back up.  Kenaz Cooper has started getting more playing time  and his handling of the ball has improved every time he has been on the court.  Thomas Cooper  is another player giving three or so minutes especially on defense.  You know regardless of which Gainey it is Mike or Pam you had better play defense or you may not find the court.  Austin Warner is one of those guys  that will surprise you at his couple of minutes each half.  He looks like a tackle on the football team which he was  but  he has that knack  of finding the ball when he's in.

It is still early  in the season  but every now and then this team show flashes.  If the back ups improve and become more consistent  this teams seems capable of showing more than a flash every now and then.  I don't care who you are and how good you can be there is always luck involved with every team and if this bunch stays clear of any injuries  there just might be more basketball in March this year.

Gryphons Prune Rose

The Rocky Mount Gryphons open up 2013 hosting Rose High an nearing the half Rocky Mount nursed a 24-22 lead but finished on a 6-0 to lead 30-22 at the break.  They came out of the locker room and started the second half on a15-2 run and that was all she wrote for Rose.  The Gryphons crush Rose 77-45.

Time after time Rose nearing the basket for a shot found the ball batted away while the ball was in flight by the Gryphon front line of Donte Battle, Jaquel Bryant, and Immanuel King.  The Gryphons out rebounded the Rampants 56-30 with Donte Battle hauling down 20 on the night and many were deflected shots that fell into his hands.  Jaquel Bryant snatched 11 boards but the Gryphons had six players with at least four rebounds including guard Michael Hines who had 7.

12 Gryphons scored in this one lead by Donte Battle with 16, Jaquel Bryant with 15, M J Gainey 10, Michael Hines 7, Mason Hines 7, Kenaz Cooper 6, Austin Warner 4, J T Smith 3, Immanuel King 3, Tony Batts 2, Armad Harrell 2, Thomas Cooper 2.  Cornell Powell Lead the Rampants 20

Gryphons had 26 turnovers compared to only 14 for Rose but the Gryphon tall trees  didn't allowed much within ten feet of the basket and the Gryphon guards with M J Gainey outside shooting and the others driving to the basket  the Gryphons were simply too tall and too quick for Rose.

The Gryphons are at home again Friday night to begin conference play and at half time of the girls game Rocky Mount High will have a Memorial Service for the late Charles Alston.  The Gryphons are now 11-1 on this basketball season.

The girls game can be summed up rather quickly.  Too much defense by the Gryphons for Rose.  Rose had more turnovers 56 than points 18.  Rose had more rebounds than points 19.  J'Kyra Brown had more points than Rose 32.  Carmen Richardson 14 points and Kelsey Daniels 12 had more points between the two than Rose.

Now the bad News, Rocky Mount made one outside shot all night.  Just about every point came on lay ups after a Rose turnover  or drives to the basket.  This team has to find shooters other than J'Kyra Brown who can score ten feet or more from the basket.

Now the good news.  This team can play defense.  Rose scored 6 points in the first, 2 in the second, 6 in the third and 4 in the fourth.  Rose had at least 10 turnovers or more every quarter including the fourth with the subs in the game.  The Ladys are now 8-4 on the season after and rather easy 71-18 thumping of Rose.

Tonight at Northern Nash the top two girls teams in 3-A basketball according to the polls collided and the Lady Knights of Northern Nash just might be #1 in the state next week barring a slip up Friday in conference plays as they beat Chapel Hill by 9.

Remember a couple of weeks ago ECU gave Carolina a run for their money in basketball losing by six.  Tonight those Fighting Camels of Campbell beat ECU in Greenville 85-81 in over time.  I just thought I would mention that score.

2012 A Look Back At The Gryphons

We start the new year off with a look back at another great year for those associated with Rocky Mount High School.  Not all the top moments are happy ones.

10:  Gryphons Lose Coach:  No, not every coach left because he wanted to but death struck the Gryphon family when Girls JV softball coach died.  Rossie Tyler never had the chance to walk the new halls of the new Rocky Mount High.

9:  Three former Gryphons flourish.    Brain Goodwin got the call to AA level of baseball for the Washington Nationals while Benton Moss because a weekend starter leading to Freshman All American honors at Carolina.  Team mate Hobbs Johnson finished the year off at Carolina joining Moss in the Carolina weekend pitching rotation.

8:  Coach Of the Year.  Leading his team to their second state title in three years Mike Gainey was named by the North Carolina basketball coaches association as 3-A coach of the year.

7:  Jason Battle Football Coach.  After being named the New Gryphon football coach lead them to the playoffs and  8-3 record making playoffs for the first time in three years.

6:  Boys/Girls Reach Regional Finals.  The first time in the history of Rocky Mount High both the boys and girls made it all the way to the basketball Regional finals the same year.

5:  Hall Of Fame.  Former Rocky Mount Great and North Carolina basketball player Phil Ford was named to the College Basketball Hall Of fame.

4:  Shock Of Year.  If there was ever anyone who could tell you about every Gryphon player in any sport it was Charles Alston.  His death leaves a major void for keeping up with Gryphon History.

3:  State Champion Runner.  Paul Lilley won the one mile run in the State Indoor track Championships

2:  Wells Fargo Cup.  The Gryphons won the 2011/2012 Wells Fargo Cup in the Big East being the most all round athletic school in the Big East.

1:  State Champs Again.  Rocky Mount boys won their second basketball title in three years beating Hickory 78-64.  It is their fifth title of all time.