WAS TROY SMITH A BUST?

In Sunday’s fifth round of the NFL draft, Heisman Trophy winner, Troy Smith, was finally selected. In fact, the Baltimore Ravens took him as the last selection of that round. Not a lofty position for someone voted the outstanding college football player of the 2006 season.

So, was Troy Smith a bust as a Heisman Trophy winner?

When ESPN surveyed viewers as to how they rated Smith’s chances of being a successful starter in the NFL, the vote was split down the middle. So, why was Smith so successful at The Ohio State University, competing against the best teams in the country, and isn't given vote of confidence in the NFL?

At OSU, Smith had a head coach in Jim Tressel, and an entire coaching staff, who believed in him. Tressel kept the vision of who he could become in front of Smith all the time. That inner vision, along with a great work ethic, pulled Smith out of a troubled past into being a dominant leader, and a cool performer under pressure in most of his games.

Being taken as far down the food chain as he was most likely came from a sub par performance in the title game. Because of that, Smith just might have enough inner fire to prove he should have been taken higher.

I believe Smith can be as successful in the pros as he was in college. Especially if his pro coach truly believes in him, and can keep a vision of who he can become in the NFL in front of him.

However, here's the downside. Taking Smith as low as the fifth round might indicate the Ravens are not sure if Smith can reach that height. Only he can change their mind by reporting in top shape and keeping up the same work ethic he had at OSU.

So, again, was he a bust?

Not at all. In fact, he's just the opposite. Troy Smith is a perfect example of what can happen when a coach believes in you, and gives you a chance to prove yourself.

That was My Turn.

Now, it's Your Turn to share your thoughts.

- Wes -

CURT SCHILLING’S REAL DILEMMA

Last week, a reputable commentator said the “blood” on Curt Schilling’s sock in the 2004 World Series was actually paint. He later retracted his story, and admitted he assumed something he shouldn’t have assumed.

So, why the fuss?

Because of the commentator’s original story, many people were willing to believe that Schilling actually tried to deceive baseball fans by painting his sock. They were willing to believe he was trying to give the impression he was doing something far greater on the mound than he actually was doing.

It seemed so illogical to me when I first heard the “paint“ story. After all, how can a pitcher know how long he’ll actually be in the game, and how well he really will do? And, how can he get the “paint” to continually ooze through the sock giving the appearance of blood? And, even if he could, why would he do it?

Also, since the sock is in the Hall of Fame, wouldn’t that be risky knowing it could easily have been checked out? So, again, I ask, “Why the fuss?” Why were people willing to believe the worst in Schilling?

For whatever reason, people in the media believe Schilling is a self-promoter, and is not beyond distorting the facts in his favor. Whether that’s true, or not, I really don’t know. But, here’s my take on it.

Reputation is crucial in what people believe. For example, as soon as Schilling heard that one of his teammates “said” the blood was paint, he knew his teammate never said that. How could he be so certain when he wasn’t there? Because he knew his teammate. He knew he was a man of truth, and he believed in their friendship.

The reason so many people ran with the story about the sock last week is because Schilling apparently does not have that same reputation among the press. Consequently, he was found guilty at mere hearsay.

Building the right reputation is important. It might even help people believe the best in you when “facts“ might point otherwise.

That was My Turn.

Now, it’s Your Turn.

If you wish, leave a comment on how you see it.

- Wes -

A LEGEND DIES, BUT LIVES ON

Seventy-five year old, Parry O’Brien, died last Saturday of a heart attack while swimming in a 500 meter race in California. Okay, people die of heart attacks all the time, so why is his death so noteworthy?

O’Brien was one of the greatest track and field athletes of all time. Not simply because of his vast accomplishments, being the first to throw the 16 pound shot 59 feet, 60 feet and 63 feet. It was how he did it.

He used his mind as well as his body.

First, he used his mind to revolutionize the sport. Applying physics, he knew the longer he pushed on the shot with the same amount of force, the further it would go. So, he changed from the conventional 90 degree turn in the ring to a stance in which he would face the back of the circle, for a 180 degree turn. O’Brien went from throwing 55 feet to throwing just over 63 feet using what was dubbed “the O’Brien Glide.”

Yet, it was more than his innovation. He also brought to the sport a focused mental approach. Once he approached the competitive ring, he was so focused, a firecracker popping nearby wouldn’t distract him.

Years after his shot putting days were over, I met him while we were working out in the UCLA weight room. In between sets, we had a few laughs at how he would psyche out his opponents, a friend of mine being one of them.

Parry O’Brien will long be remembered in the world of sports for what he contributed to his particular sport, not just for his numerous world and Olympic records. Something every athlete ought to work at doing. Not just compete, but contribute.

That was not just O’Brien’s way.

It’s also God’s way.

That was My Turn.

Now, it’s Your Turn.

If you have anything to say about Parry O‘Brien, or anything I wrote in this blog, please leave a comment for others to also read.

Yours for sports excellence,

Wes

BRADY QUINN'S SELF-PROMOTION

Much has been written about Notre Dame quarterback, Brady Quinn, and his apparent obsession to be the #1 pick in this weekend's NFL draft. Few players, if any, have ever pushed themselves as the top pick. Most simply go out and do their best in the camps, and hope for the best.

So, is Brady wrong for all of his self-promotion?

The young quarterback has never made a secret about his goals for college football. He wanted to be a starter at Notre Dame. Mission accomplished. He wanted to be on the national championship team. Mission failed. He wanted to be the Heisman Trophy winner. Mission failed. He wants to be the number one pick. We'll see this weekend. Most experts have him going no higher than #2, and some as low as #9.

Still, not bad.

Let's face it. No matter how much Brady, or anyone else, talks about how they want to be number one, the teams doing the picking aren't influenced by it. Yet, in Brady's case, maybe they should be.

Here's why.

Brady has shown a great personal drive to accomplish certain goals. Yes, he has failed in many of them, and suceeded in some. Yet, he keeps driving, and he doesn't give up. That inner drive, if he can harness it for team honors and not personal glory, can set well for him in pro ball.

I like the drive I see in him.

Even if he doesn't get to be number one, which is doubtful he will, his inner drive can help any team that does draft him.

That was my turn.

Now, it's yours.

Post a comment, and let other readers and me read what you think.

Your's for Sports Excellence,

Wes