Maybe it's because it's a busy time of the year. Maybe it's because I don't see the value in really short columns.
Or maybe it's because being random is easier than being focused. Either way, here's the second installment of 25 random thoughts.
1. Columbian football's 5-0 start is not exactly surprising. While its wins have been impressive, I get the feeling everyone is looking at this week's clash with Bellevue as the Northern Ohio League championship game. It will be the biggest game we've had this season.
2. It's taken me a while to figure this out, but throwing random kicks at air does not make me more like Jim Caviezel's character in the show "Person of Interest."
3. Mohawk's Andrew Loose threw the ball so well Friday night I thought I was watching Hopewell-Loudon's offense of a few years ago. Watching a Warrior quarterback throw for five touchdowns is just weird.
4. Heidelberg comes home 3-0 and with one of the best defense's in the country. What Mike Hallett and Scott Donaldson have done with the defense in a few years is stunning.
5. Donaldson, Heidelberg's defensive coordinator, had the sounds of classical violinist Itzhak Perlman playing in his office earlier this week. If it was what Donaldson did to get ready for practice, that'd be worth a full column. But Perlman actually was just a guest on Stephen Colbert's Comedy Central show, which Donaldson had on his TV when I stopped by.
6. Gary Goff's Tiffin University football team has a long way to go, but the group plays hard and is disciplined. Quarterback James Capello, running back Dominique White and receiver Obadiah Dykes could all have big second halves, when the schedule lets up a bit.
7. "I'm not gonna lie. That team is a lot better than last year. A lot better." A Northwood player talking to a teammate in the moments after the Timberwolves' 35-14 win over Tiffin.
8. When coaches say to a reporter an opponent is improved, you can dismiss it as being polite. When a player says it to a reporter, you can assume the same thing. When a player says it to a teammate? It's fact.
9. I'm not a fan of sports writers including political opinions in their columns. Now, opinions on music and pop culture are OK. Not sure why, though.
10. NFL Films' legend Steve Sabol died earlier this week. Few men have had as big of an impact on a sport.
11. Best wishes to Jerry Lawler, who is recovering from a heart attack suffered on WWE's television show a few weeks ago. The wrestling legend is among the best at making the show seem real. So many people who had little time for the industry for its phoniness believed his feud with Andy Kauffman 30 years ago was real, including members of my own family.
12. I've never felt worse about the state of the Cleveland Indians.
13. When fans distrust ownership and the front office, and the ownership is satisfied with two winning seasons in 11 years, there is trouble.
14. Manny Acta probably will be fired, but that's the least of the Indians' problems.
15. A dome over Cleveland Browns Stadium? I'm guessing there will be more debate over the effect on tradition than over who exactly will pay for it.
16. If the Browns don't win today, 0-6 will be here before they know it.
17. Reports are that Time Warner has finally reached a deal to carry NFL Network. It's only been nine years. There have been countries that haven't lasted that long.
18. For as many coaches who say they don't believe in moral victories, that phrase sure has survived.
19. If I never hear the words "lightning delay" again, it will be too soon.
20. There was a hail storm during a delay during the TU game Saturday. It looked like Lambeau Field in January.
21. Eric Hoover is just a good coach. Some guys aren't sports specific. The Mohawk volleyball/baseball and Old Fort boys basketball coach could lead a badminton team.
22. Anybody here care about the NHL lockout?
23. Hopewell-Loudon's Bryce Gorrell was so calm after shooting 73 and taking medalist at the MAL Meet. If I had shot a 73 at Green Hills, I would have recorded a concept album about the experience and hired Booker T & The MGs as my backing band.
24. Had to stop as I wrote this: Hines Ward just cheap shotted Doug Flutie during the Notre Dame halftime show.
25. It's great that the Reds won the National League Central Saturday, but it's too bad manager Dusty Baker wasn't in the dugout to celebrate. Baker, who has done a wonderful job in Cincinnati, remained in a Chicago hospital with an irregular heartbeat. I can't wait to see him back where he belongs: On the top step of the home dugout at Great American Ballpark, gnawing on a toothpick. Get well soon, Dusty.
Zach Baker is the sports editor for The Advertiser-Tribune.
Contact him at:
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