There were plenty of interesting reader e-mails for the week of Feb. 26-March 4. Basically, you either hated or loved the Olympics based on Clay Travis' seven suggestions to improve the Winter Games, felt that Jay Cutler has more to offer the NFL than a Wonderlic-challenged Vince Young, picked comedian Ali G over figure skater Sasha Cohen and were upset at A.I.'s Team USA snub. Keep it coming, folks.
Simon Scowl turns into Paula Abdul
- Chuck Lewis: "Was Clinton in town? We may need to send Bonds' dress to an FBI crime lab rather than Cooperstown. It makes me physically ill to think this low life cheater will pass Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron ... and be rewarded!"
- Craig, Cleveland, Ohio: "Bonds is screwed no matter what he does or what he says. Nobody will believe him, nobody takes him seriously. Maybe he deserves it, maybe he doesn't. For years and years, all I hear is he's a horrible teammate, he's a clubhouse cancer, blah, blah, blah. Well, the man comes out in drag and has everybody cracking up and loose. No, it's too good to be true, there has to be an ulterior motive."
It can't be possible that Barry Bonds wants to have fun, can it? Hmmm, he lied to everyone and said he was going to retire after this season, and the next thing you know, he says maybe not. Did anyone bother to listen to what he actually said? Bonds said if his knees are healthy enough, he may come back after this season; he may come back for a couple of seasons. It appears unlikely that his knees will be okay, but how the heck should he know right now? He can't. If you close the door, you don't get in.
Bonds doesn't want to close it because he knows he is the most dangerous weapon at the plate, ever. He knows that record is his. How much pain is it worth? That is something that only Barry can answer. He can't answer it now, he needs to see how his body reacts. He needs to play and I hope to God that he is able to play over 120 games this season. I hope he hammers his 48 homers then comes back next season to attack 800. Ask yourself this: What kind of reaction would Roger Clemens or David Ortiz received if they dressed up like Paula Abdul?"
Cutler > Young? You just failed the Wonderlic
- Arthur, New York: "For the writer of this article, have you ever smoked marijuana? I am guessing you only have the stories your mommy, daddy and teachers told you, but guess what, it isn't that bad for you! Believe it or not, many NFL players smoke weed. You want to bash Ricky for doing something that at least 50 percent of the NFL is doing? Get real. I am sure you have some hidden agenda where Ricky didn't give you an interview or something like that, but you need to realize that Williams has been smoking weed probably since he was in high school. And he still won the Heisman Trophy, became a great NFL rusher and could still be himself. I suggest laying off, and getting a life. Believe it or not, weed doesn't ruin your life. Smoking weed does not equal sitting at your house all day thinking about stars. Maybe you should worry more about players that are using drugs that enhance their performance. Ricky is not a cheater, he simply has a personal life. He is not on coke. He is not popping X. He is smoking weed."
- Kimery Uhl, Grand Junction, CO: "Vince Young is just as overhyped as Jay Cutler, and they are both way overhyped like Michael Vick. I think Matt Leinart is the only one deserving of the hype, and will show that in the NFL."
- Tom, San Diego, CA: "I'm a Kentucky grad and I am sick and tired of all the Tim Couch bashing. Couch had decent stats on an expansion franchise that was poorly managed and coached and had no line to protect him. When he was injured, Cleveland fans (idiots) cheered. Stop bashing Couch."
- Anthony Brown, San Antonio: "Tell me, when was the last time one of these scrambling quaterbacks (Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick or Steve McNair) won a Super Bowl? Yes, it is exciting to watch these players play, and they do make defensive coaches sick, but I'm still not convinced that it's the formula for winning championships. What precentage of snaps has Vince Young taken under center in his career at Texas? Young scares me to death. I am afraid he will be another Akili Smith. Being a Tennessee Titans fan, I hope the Titans do take Jay Cutler. I have enjoyed the show with McNair, now I am ready for Cutler to win us a championship."
- Jim: "I am a diehard Texas Longhorns fan and as much as I love Vince Young, he has no chance of making it in the NFL. Not only are you dumb for not realizing Young is just another Vick without the extra gear, but Cutler has all of the 'it' qualities you look for in a starting quarterback."
- Tom, Massapequa, NY: "Anna Benson just can't stop complaining about anything, huh? Ricky Williams needs to stay off the drugs and play some football. However, Jay Cutler over Vince Young might not be a bad idea. Yes, Young did lead the Longhorns to the national title, but what is he hiding by not going to the combines? Jay Cutler actually did good on his Wonderlic test and the combine."
- Shannon Stephenson, Bradley, IL: "I disagree with the writer. More times than not, we see quarterbacks similiar to Vince Young not make it because their passing skills and ability to read defenses aren't there because of their scrambling ability (For example: Akili Smith and Quincy Carter). Jay Cutler, who was handed nothing to work with at Vandy, had to become the best at his trade just to have a poor team. I find that people who have it rougher earlier can handle what the big time has to offer than those who had a great staff, players and wonderful traditions. Cutler's passing numbers were virtually the same as Young and Leinart without the other pro prospects on the team. Young is a Michael Vick without Vick's great speed which spells trouble for Mr. Young."
- Monte Watson: "Poor analogy. You can't compare the Philadelphia Eagles around Donovan McNabb with what little team Tim Couch had around him with the expansion team Cleveland Browns. It takes 11 players to play and win football games. Without a capable supporting cast of players, no quarterback can get stats, much less win enough football games, to get into the playoffs. Although Couch managed to accomplish it in one season with the Browns, I don't think the Wonderlic had anything to do with it."
- Tony: "Jason, interesting comments. You are missing out on the main factor why scouts have slid Jay Cutler up. Simply put, he projects as a better quarterback. Draft value isn't meant to be representative of how well a player will do at the next level. It's in many ways a standalone thing. Cutler has the exceptional release that sets him apart from the top QB's. Sure, he has some mechanical issues, but when he's had time, his mechanics aren't nearly as bad as the media makes it out to be. Whereas, Vince Youhg has a lot of questions in regard to how he translates to QB at the next level.
I believe the Texans are better off selecting Young, but if they don't, I'm not sure where he lands. Tennessee needs short term and long term help. If they select a QB, it is for the future, but it is also for the present, and Cutler is more ready to play that role than Young. As for the Saints, Young doesn't fit their style of offense. I'm not saying 100 percent something is going to happen. What I'm saying is that ruling something out is rather shortsighted at this point in time, and your comments failed to consider the true issues at hand in regards to why Cutler, in many circles, has moved equal, if not ahead, of Young."
Well said, Tony.
- Aaron, Chapel Hill, NC: "Eli Manning's Ole Miss team sucked it up while he 'led' them to any number of ugly losses. How's he doing in the pros? Also, winning college quarterbacks don't necessarily win in the pros. See Ryan Leaf and Danny Kanell, or Heaven forbid, Danny Wuerffel. Don't discount Jay Cutler just because his team sucked. Don't give Vince Young bonus points for having a sick team."
- Rick S.: "Why is the media so threatened by Jay Cutler? Why does the fact that he graduated from Vandy indicate that he is somehow beneath a weak-armed Leinart, and an intellectually challenged Young? Brains and brawn beats brawn every time. The record of the NCAA team doesn't necessarily translate to the individual. Nor do NCAA accomplishments (see Ryan Leaf). Playing QB in the NFL requires a bit more smarts than NCAA. Cutler could be similar to Carson Palmer. He will likely be more successful than Young, Leinart or Reggie Bush."
- Gil Johnson: "Look at the talent around Cutler and then look at the talent around Young. Even better, look at the talent around Cutler in the SEC, one of the toughest conferences around. Then you have the Big 12. I think you get the picture."
Winter Games are like a luge ride to hell
- P.J. Connolly, Reno, NV: "Dude, I can't disagree more with this story. You don't like the Winter Olympics and you're a sports writer? Typical American isolationist -- hate the sports you suck in and love the sports no one in the world plays but us (I'll bet you're a NASCAR dad). Instead of hating on all the things you don't like or understand, just shut up (If you can't say something nice...). Besides bro, you're about as funny as a Mohammed cartoon."
- Lance, New York: "That was the best damn story I have ever read. Thanks."
- Chester Wilson, North Bend, WA: "I would rather watch instant replays of ice glaciers moving than watch Bob Costas and listen to John Fahey's Death Chants rather than the announcers. And Sasha Cohen's outfit was great except all of the female skaters should have been wearing beige bottoms."
- Johnny Gotts, Monroe, NJ: "You know what, the snowball fight is something to consider. You know we would have a mullet-headed coach for the U.S. team. His credits would be 29 years of "nailing" Catholic school buses and snow plows while public school kids had a day off of school. Oh yeah, and he's 35 years old."
- Tom, Massapequa, NY: "I like all your ideas but I got one: How about dodgeball on ice? Nothing would be funnier than watching people who can't skate falling all over the place and getting pelted with dodgeballs."
The Cohen Supremacy
- Americo Di Donato, Preble, NY: "It was delightful and great that these two stars shared their talent to an anxious world."
- Mtuck, Los Angeles: "Booyakasha. Check dis my peeps, iz is sayin dat Ali G be da best Cohen cuz deyz is plenty of hot bitches in diz country, but only one Borat. Check dis, Iz is out."
- Harry Hardon, San Francisco: "Who the f*** is Sacha Baron Cohen? Your transvestite lover? Is this another example of New York uber alles bull****?"
Obviously, Harry did not read the column carefully.
- Steven Weber, Schenectady, NY: "If you don't like the Winter Olympics, don't [expletive] write about them! We really don't give a s*** about your thoughts on them. I happen to like them, you dont have to. I'm sure you don't like everything I do, but i'm not going to push my thoughts in your face. People are getting killed every day in the so-called name of freedom, so write about something important. You have the readers to reach. The Olympics are called 'games' for a reason. Now you're hated in America too."
Why don't you tell us how you REALLY feel, Steven.
- Gene Udell, Melrose Park, PA: "No mention anywhere as to Sasha Cohen's religion. I'm curious, is she Jewish? Not that it matters, but is she?"
- Mutapa, Toronto, Ontario: "Sasha is seriously good eye candy and would have won, but you have to watch Madagascar for Baron Cohen's performance as the 'king of the lemurs'. You can't top that, Baron wins."
- Richard Sundstrom, Sarasota, FL: "While my teenage years are in the distant past, I am a red-blooded American bachelor, and thus Sasha Cohen (like Jamie Sale and all the other shapely young ladies in their short skating skirts) definitely gets my vote. It's no contest, really, as Sacha's Ali G character is right up there with Tom Green, Pauly Shore and Bob Saget as the most annoying, unfunny 'comedians' to ever appear on American television."
- Matthew Dagen, Gaithersburg, MD: "Give it Baron Cohen, better known as Ali G. He's absolutly hilarious, plus he's goping to be in a movie, opposite Will Ferrell."
- Daniel, Toronto, Ontario: "I'm pretty sure Sacha and Sasha are in fact the same person. In the world of Ali G, 'I say tomato, you say potato.'"
- Rob, Melbourne, Victoria: "Sasha Cohen = crap. You know why? It's because she's American and unfunny. Sasha Baron Cohen, however, is awesome because he's English and he's bloody hilarious. P.S. George Bush is an idiot and it's no wonder America sucks. Its president is the world's biggest jackass."
How did President Bush factor in a column about Sasha Cohen and Ali G?
- Tyler Grant, Vancouver, British Columbia: "On Da Ali G Show, he asked a member of the British parliment from the 1980s if anyone had actually ever seen 'Maggie's thatch,' refering to 'The Iron Lady,' Margaret Thatcher. Sascha Baron Cohen got a 'no' in reply, but not without a good deal of laughter."
- Derek Criswell, Morgantown, WV: "What's my spin on this 'story'? This is quite possibly the closest thing to blasphemy I have ever seen in my life. Sacha Baron Cohen against an ice skater? Da Ali G Show is the most brilliant television series to grace this country in ages. And come on, who actually watches ice skating? Sacha Cohen had her five seconds of fame and now it is time to move on. Or else we will limit ourselves to a year of questions like 'Tonya Harding vs. Edgar Allen Poe' or 'Michelle Kwan vs. Bob Dylan.' Let's just pretend this article never happened."
Tonya Harding vs. Edgar Allen Poe and Michelle Kwan vs. Bob Dylan? Brilliant!
- Colin, Fort Worth, TX: "Foreign diplomacy: Sacha Baron Cohen (Put the extra Boutros in Boutros Boutros Boutros-Ghali). Traveled to Italy for the Olympics: Sasha Cohen. Edge: Baron."
- Georg, Ulm, Germany: "I just wanted to add that Sacha Baron Cohen is actually Jewish and a former resident of Israel. Many of his Kazakh curses are ironically curses in Hebrew. I say ironically because the Kazakh people very much despise Israel and Jews (like you probably know from his show)."
- Bobby Jones, Sacramento, CA: "Give her a break. Were you ever in the Olympics? I think not."
- CG Rath, Los Angeles: "Considering that my boyfriend and I had our own Ali G commentary running during the entire short program, this rocks. (An example in English street cockney): Dear Sacha Baron Cohen, WTF? We wuz waitin' for weeks and months since dey kept sayin' on the tellie that you wuz gonna be in da 'Lympics, but apparently wuz some rubbish cuz a little white girl camed out instead. Too bad cuz you would have rocked to that "Carmine" opera."
A few suggestions for 2010
- TW Carpenter, Clovis, NM: "I agree with everything above, the commentators are the ruin of our sports: Football, basketball, baseball and the Olympics. If they were as smart as they think, they could get rich coaching. I am sure coaching would pay more. Dick Vitale has got to make Howard Cosell look like a mouse in the cornet."
- Jordan: "Your comments about the Olympics, while well thought out, were way off base. For someone who used this forum to bash the critical nature of Simon Cowell, you sure do sound a lot like him in your criticism of the Games. Two weeks is too long? This happens every four years. It's magical every night, and if it lasted three or four weeks, I'd be watching every night. As to your criticism of ice dancing, I have to disagree. I've never watched ice dancing before, but my wife wanted to, so this football fan gave in and watched it. I was pleasantly surprised. The skating was, for the most part, creative, artistic and extremely elegant. The originality and difference between the programs from one pair to the next was outstanding, especially in the holds they did. Besides, from a guy's perspective, it was great to see women (not girls) out there. Unlike the other skating events where the female skaters are 16-20 years old for the most part, the ice dancers were 25-35, and it was great to be able to appreciate their beauty and elegance. Many of them were simply stunning, and it was great to watch. Besides, anyone who could watch the American couple that won the silver medal and not have fun doing so would be crazy."
- Randy Wheeler, Kansas City: "Now that the Turin games are history, it's time to look at why the Olympics aren't as popular as they once were. While there are several reasons, including professionals in the games, there are three areas of focus that override all others:
1. Olympic overload: When the IOC decided to split the Summer and Winter Games beginning in 1994, the logic behind that decision was sound and reasonable. However, the unintended consequence of that decision is Olympic overload. Having games every other year just has diluted the entire Olympic brand. However, recombining the games, or changing the cycle, are impossible.
2. The Games are too big: There are too many events in the Olympics. While the Winter Games are not as large as their Summer cousins, they're getting there. It's time for the IOC to make the unpopular desicion and eliminate sports. In the Winter Games, it's time to say goodbye to the X Games sports (snowboarding, freestyle skiing, short track, skeleton, etc.) and put other sports on a diet. Alpine skiing should go back to just the slalom, giant slalom and downhill. The Summer Games also should really be paired down. Gone would be beach volleyball, synchronized swimming, rhymthic gymnastics, badminton, table tennis, sailing, archery, shooting sports and equestrian. Other sports, such as soccer and tennis would be given the choice of upgrading the Olympic torunament to World Cup/Grand Slam standards or be eliminated. Same would be true for baseball and golf.
3. No rivalry: From 1952 to 1992, the Olympics were the closest to 'real warfare' between the United States and the Soviet Union. Americans were told that the red uniforms with 'CCCP' and the sickle and hammer on the front were the mortal enemy, and Soviet citizens were taught that 'USA' was evil. Thus, watching the Olympics became our patriotic duty. Today, 'Russia' just doesn't have the same feel as 'CCCP' and we don't have those East German 'women.' It's just no real rivalry."
- Robert Wilbanks, Clinton, IN: "I think you should understand that a lot of people like to watch the preliminary trials before the medal rounds. And if you don't like the dancing, then change the channel or don't watch."
Dear A.I., don't bother with RSVP
- Ben B., Troy, NY: "What the heck. The guy's [scoring] average is very well and they don't let him on [the Olympic team]. He has the right potenial to play on a nation-wide basketball team. This is not a little mistake; it's a big one. This guy is on [several] magazine covers and they don't let him on a team. This is like Chef Boyardee not competing in a baking contest. What would you do, put a guy who has never been in the NBA before or an all-around All-Star on a team?"
- Howard Flacker, Greensboro, NC: "The Kenny Mayne story wasn't just satirical, it was hilarious. Sure it was fluffy, but they always have some sort of human interest story in their 90 minute SportsCenters. When he 'served' his daughters, that may have been one of the funniest things we'll ever see on ESPN. Come on and lighten up a little bit, El Hombre. Also, don't forget that A.I. is not a Nike athlete and they are the big bucks sponsor of the Olympic team. You can't have any of the biggest Reebok or Addidas players covering up the Swoosh in China."
- Stefan Pugatchenko, Washington DC: "The answer to why A.I. isn't playing on Team USA is a lot simpler. Coach K is extremely bitter about his loss to Georgetown this year, and the only way he can exact revenge in the short term is to enrage Georgetown fans by denying Iverson a spot on the team. Come on, Battier is mediocre at best. Coach K is just in love with himself and his organization."
- Zach, Pittsburgh: "You're completely wrong. Use your head a little bit here. You think that Allen Iverson is selfish? Sure he is, but why is Kobe Bryant on the team? Why is Dwyane Wade? Half of the guys there (at least) are shoot-first players, so don't give me that b*******. Look how many assists Iverson has too. And being 34 at the time of the Olympics isn't a reason if other players over 34 are playing. He just got snubbed, that's all there is to it. You didn't really show your personal opinion on it too much in this story, so I wonder what you actually think. All I know is, I see a lot of good shooting guards, small forwards, power forwards and centers on this roster. Allen Iverson is the best American point guard, you can't argue that."
- Tom, Massapequa, NY: "First of all, I still dislike Barry Bonds even if he dresses up as a girl. Second, I'm sick of all you New York Knicks haters that keep making fun of them. As a Knicks fan, it's painful enough watching them losing night in and night out, but that's not enough. I have to hear people make fun of them. I also have to say one more thing: Team USA will win gold in 2008. I guarantee it!"
Vince, we will not know until you throw
- John Horn, Yukon, OK: "[Vince Young] isn't the great quarterback everybody is trying to make him out to be. Mack Brown is a good coach, but knows how to hide weakness. Brown isn't at the combine with Young. His agent is. Now it's his agent's turn to hide the weakness. Nothing wrong with that. He'll make a butt-load of money, deserved or not. Vince beat OU once in his time as a Longhorn. He has PLENTY to hide."
- Stephen, Dallas: "I totally agreed on Eddie Sutton, and mostly on Vince Young, but you could have said the same about Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush on page 1, instead of waiting for page 2. Superstar athletes are in a darned if you do, darned if you don't situation, as far as whether to work out in the combine. Some of the same people criticizing Young and his agent for not working out at the combine were calling him an idiot for participating in that All-Star contest. I think the biggest question for Young is this: Are you willing to consider being a receiver, if after X years it doesn't work out for you at QB? The kid is one of the best athletes around, and has a stronger drive to win than just about anybody. He could redefine the QB position and end all the comparisons to Michael Vick (since kids will be compared to Young)... or he could end up at another spot and help some team win the Super Bowl."
- Grant Johnson: "I am a sumo wrestler who enjoys attending NASCAR events and watching Dickie V call basketball games. How could you go on and on about the injustice at Gonzaga, and then go on to discriminate against me and people like me? How can you be so insensitive? It is bigoted people like you that make people like me afraid to admit our natural ingrained feelings and lifestyle choices secret. It creates fear among our community. It is columns like yours that keep overweight, NASCAR watching, Natural Light drinking, Dickie V enjoying people on the outskirts of society. Your column holding us up for ridicule only exacerbates a widespread problem. What's next? You saying 140-pound wine drinkers who like to watch Bob Costas call tennis matches are actually just like me? That is just offensive. Whats that, you were just kidding? I should lighten up? I should realize that calling a 7-2 guy "Shorty" isn't an insult to those with dwafism? That things are only hurtful and offensive if I let them be? If I choose to interperet them that way? Oh, well why didn't you say so?"
- Scott: "Vince completed 75 percent [of his passes] in the Rose Bowl against USC. Watch the 2005 Texas-OU game. Vince reads the blitz coming off the corner, quickly finds one-on-one coverage with Texas' fastest WR and hits him in stride with a touch pass for a TD. Vince only lost two games in his college carreer as a starter, led his team to an undefeated season and an undisputed national championship while leading the nation in pass efficiency and rushing for over a 1,000 yards and passing for over 3,000 yards! Never been done before! Ever! Vince will be drafted about as high as one can go. He's that great. NFL combine participation can only hurt his draft status. Why go against sound advice and participate? As usual, Vince will show the world on the field in due time, this time on an NFL field. Stay tuned."
- Ricky Terrell: "Michael, you're right. The race card has already been thrown and deservingly so. What Vince Young accomplished in his college career has put him in position to be a high draft choice. Forget the combines, action speaks louder than the equivalent of the SAT. You didn't write an article such as this about weak-armed Matt Leinart who threw an interception in the Rose Bowl during a crucial time. In fact, the receiver was open, but Leinart floated the ball and a Texas safety intercepted it. Come on, it's 2006 and black quarterbacks are still catching hell. It's common sense; if Peyton Manning had a little more mobility, the Indianapolis Colts would be world champs."
- Hal, Coppell, TX: "I don't know why Vince Young doesn't want to throw, but he did not get the highest efficiency rating and his gazillion yards by being a run quarterback. If you watched Texas during the season last year, it was clear that Young was a pass first, run second QB. His strong running games last year were few, and typically only came the few instances that Texas fell behind."
- Greg Short: "Hi Michael, I enjoyed your article about Vince Young. It seems obvious that like Michael Vick, Young will not make a classic NFL quarterback. However, being a coach myself, I have always considered the level of coaching in the NFL as the lowest in all of football. These NFL coaches, where overpaid morons don't fear to tread, should create a system around Young and Vick, instead of the other way around. In plain truth, white NFL coaches do not know how to coach black QBs. That's why so few of them have been successful in the NFL. Mack Brown even admitted that he had to change his way of coaching. A system does not have to be complicated or pressurized to be successful. Moreover, since the DBs can't play defense any longer due to rule changes, the future will be mobile QBs. Defenses have no choice but to come after the QB. Sitting ducks are a thing of the past. So anyway, if you would spend more time questioning the NFL coaches' IQs instead of the players' abilites, hell, you might even sound intelligent."
- Joe, Chicago: "You are an idiot. A complete and total idiot. You are talking about the top-rated passer in college football. You are talking about a proven winner. A guy that has won at every level. Next, I want to hear how Ted Williams really couldn't hit. What an idiot!"
- Tim Schoettker, Sissonville, WV: "I think Vince Young would be a great draft pick. Think about it, if he doesn't make it as a quarterback, he could help you in a variety of different ways. On the other hand, someone like Matt Leinart either becomes a QB or is a total wash. We all know Pac-10 QB's can be a little overrated at times. Young also doesn't need to go somewhere that wants to run the same old boring West Coast offense that apparently every NFL team wants to run.
Michael Vick did fine until he was forced to this situation. Usually after checking your first two options, you don't have any left as it is. He is an incredible athlete, period. By the way, USC would have won the championship if Pete Carrol would have had more guts and stuck with the man who got them there in the first place: Reggie Bush. Eleven carries for him was a joke. Running LenDale White so many times only gave Texas a better shot at winning. They are going to find life without him a little hard, because his talent doesn't come around that often. Getting back to the NFL, they need some coaches and owners to change the pace a little bit offensively, and open it up. Is a play a gadget play if it works about every time you run it?"
- J. Shuler: "You know Vince Young can't win with some of you guys -- either his agents are incompetent in letting him pass in the combine, or he has something to hide if he doesn't. And [what about] Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart? Where's your scorn for them over not participating?"
The BIOFILES: Gerry McNamara
- Pete, Mt. Morris, NY: "G-Mac is one of the best players that have come out of the 'Cuse.' I was there for his and Melo's first game at the dome. And I was there for the last. I just wish they could have won and hopefully they will get in the big dance. Cross your fingers Orange fans. Thank you Gerry!"
- Scott Barbine: "He's a hometown hero here."
- Gene Cosgrove, Scranton, PA: "I first watched Gerry McNamara play in the 9th grade at Bishop Hannon. As a basketfall fan, I immediately realized he was something special and have enjoyed the great ride he has given us over the past eight years. I look forward to making another trip up to the dome; I am getting there on Saturday to take it all in. I know it will not be my last time at the dome for we Scranton people will be back when they retire his No. 3 jersey. My McNamara's band shirt is a little worn after four years, but it will be on display this Sunday."
