If you were wondering about Travon Van …

May 7, 2011 by Doug Smock

Monday will indeed be his first day working out on Marshall’s nickel. Now don’t camp out at the weight room door and cheer him, or anything like that … ;)

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ESPN The Magazine; baseball aftermath

May 7, 2011 by Doug Smock

If you want to see what legacy Byron Leftwich may forever carry, check out ESPN The Magazine’s current issue, entitled “Warning: The Danger Issue.”

It’s all about risk, danger, what have you. So far, it’s a very good read.

In the opening paragraph, three long paragraph’s are devoted to Leftwich fracturing his shinbone (MU people tried hard to gloss over that, as I recall), returning to the game and being carried downfield by two big linemen during a two-minute drill. My indelible quote from that comes from Larry Kueck, who said in a long Texas drawl, “There’s a man right there!”

And you know what? That rubbed off on that team. That team wasn’t down; they were honked off by losing and inspired by Leftwich. They vowed they wouldn’t lose again, and they didn’t — even going against Ben Roethlisberger’s Miami team with Leftwich on crutches.

Hard to believe that was nine years ago, isn’t it?

***

I guess the less said about last night’s Marshall baseball collapse against East Carolina, the better. I’m sorry, but you can’t blame that one on the lack of a campus baseball field. You just can’t.

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Live from the App; time change

May 6, 2011 by Doug Smock

First, the Saturday game between the Herd and East Carolina has been moved to 5 p.m., perhaps to beat a little weather.

I’m covering this game tonight, and Herd starter Aaron Blair has thrown five shutout innings so far… and the Herd is 5-0 and has the bases juiced with none out, 2 runs in and a new pitcher for the Pirates….

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Another UCF item

May 2, 2011 by Doug Smock

I am not offering this in any spirit except to update you … and to pray for a settlement in the Patrick Edwards/yellow cart case. You don’t want that one going to trial.

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Bin Laden’s death: A look back …

May 2, 2011 by Doug Smock

At the best headline of all-time, on the heels of 9/11.

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A little do-do at UCF

May 1, 2011 by Doug Smock

Updated in wee hours of Saturday, so you may have seen it. But if you actually read it top to bottom, you’re an iron man. It’s really, really long. I’m going to have to come back to it and re-read it from the bottom up.

Here’s the New York Times piece. And you know what’s the cool part. They refer to the school as “Central Florida” in almost all references. I love it. Other outlets are getting sucked into the school’s preference to call it “UCF” on first reference. Phooey on that. Central Florida, Central Florida, Central Florida.

Another observation: For some people (like this two-time felon in this story), it is good to let people think you’re stupid than tweet and remove all doubt. Maybe I’m among those people; I don’t know, but I think I’ll stick to this forum for the time being.

On the other hand, I just got a “follow” request from John Daly. That one’s got me juiced up a little…

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One recruiting note

April 29, 2011 by Doug Smock

Looks like Marshall has offered Clinch County, Ga., WR Fred Tiller. … Ditto HUGE OT Jeremy Daniels of Lanier County. Must be a Peach State invastion.

Monday’s column is about written … it will deal with MU’s prominent mention in a New York Times article about Title IX. I’ll leave you in suspense on the direction(s) I take.

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Out with Field House, in with …

April 28, 2011 by Doug Smock

the IPF, among other things. Will be working a little bit tonight.

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Xavier Humphrey

April 27, 2011 by Doug Smock

The former Marshall walk-on has changed his Twitter handle to RealXavierUC33, indicating he is heading to the University of Charleston. Not in stone … yet. Would be a really good fit and a good pickup for coach Mark Downey.

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Position grades after spring

April 25, 2011 by Doug Smock

For those who read my column, (a) I hope you enjoyed it and (b) I hope you deciphered the editorial comment behind the choice of subject matter. I had written it for probable use on April 30/May 1, but felt little additional comment about spring drills was necessary … and usually, the second scrimmage is often the highlight of spring anyway, IMO.

Anyway, here is my grade on the state of positions so far:
Quarterback: D

Running back: B

Tight end: C

Wide receiver: B-

Offensive line: C-

Defensive line: B

Linebackers: C

Cornerbacks: B

Safeties: B+

Kicking specialists: B-

Am I too generous, too harsh or just plain off my rocker?

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