Bittersweet Moment

Rest In Peace Sean Taylor



I know I'm supposed to be an unbiased journalist, but anyone who knows me knows that I bleed burgundy and gold (hopefully I don't have to regret saying that).

On Tuesday I emailed Chris Helein the head of public relations for the Skins in hope of getting a press credential for the Breeze. Chris had hooked me up with credential for the Lions game, where Gary Clark (JMU '84) was inducted into the Ring of Fame. But I didn't know with the media circus surrounding Sean Taylor's death if I would get an opportunity to cover what is the worst instance in team history.

I was shocked when I was e-mailed back today to be notified of my press pass. I had to leave Harrison Hall where I was working on a project to catch my breath. "Am I really going to cover this event?" I thought to myself.

The thing is it isn't just a coverage opportunity. Sean Taylor is one of my favorite players of all time. I've been following the story since Monday afternoon and was really taken aback when I woke up Tuesday to the news.

How could someone be so sick to do this? Sean was close to being engaged and he had an 18-month old daughter. Every player who has spoken to the media has reiterated the maturity Sean has exhibited in the last year or so. Sure he has had legal troubles, but even that has been ballooned I feel. Until there is some correlation to the crime and Sean's past I wish people would be a little more respectful.

Yesterday I heard people around the office downplaying what they considered the "importance" of the incident. They argued that people die everyday and they don't get this coverage. Yes that is true, but Sean was a celebrity and is thus getting celebrity treatment. It isn't his fault that he busted his ass to get into the league and consequently the spotlight that he didn't ever really want. I have no problem with this story's coverage and do not feel like it has been overdone.

I will be covering my second game of the year, but wont be able to get quite the same experience. When my pass allowed me onto the field, I was able to see how hard Sean really hit and how athletic he really was. When I rushed the field with the press following the game, Sean actually brushed into me. Yeah he is just another human being, but I can't lie growing up a Skins fan it was really cool. I even saw Sean after the game in the locker room and this time around I wont get that.

Bittersweet definitely describes how I feel and how I'm sure I will on Sunday. But like Sean's father, Pedro, I will be pulling for the Redskins (just secretly in order to be a good journalist). Lets Go D.C.! We've done five in a row before, but this time it'll be for Sean.

Rest In Peace #21

When I made my last blog last night I was really encouraged that Sean Taylor was gonna pull through.

I woke up this morning though to a sequence of text messages regarding a project I'm working on for the paper, but the last text regarded the situation.

"Sorry to hear about Taylor too."

I jumped out of bed, hoping my friend just meant he was sorry Taylor was hospitalized. Unfortunately the headline on the major media website was that Sean had passed.

I'm almost still at a loss for words. I'm angry and sad for his family, the team and most especially his 18-month old daughter. He was only 24!

This is being called a "tremendously sad and unnecessary event," by Sean's attorney. It's much more than that though.

I'm angry right now and can't understand what was going through the killers mind when he shot at Taylor. What could this guy possibly have to gain by killing another human being and making that person's fiance witness it.

Something is seriously wrong with society today and something needs to be done about gun violence.

For now though it is definitely time to remember the good Sean brought to the world. God Bless You Sean.

Sean is Responsive!

Sean Taylor is being reported as responsive now. The best information I've been receiving is through the WashingtonPost. Redskins' beat writer Jason La Canfora is doing a great job tracking the story and is posting about two to three times an hour.

Check out the latest through the link above. It sounds much more encouraging, but who knows what life ahead for Sean will be like.

On a lighter note, remind us of your favorite Sean T hits by leaving a comment.

Pray for Sean Taylor

Once again gun violence has put another human being in critical condition. This time it's my favorite Redskin player Sean Taylor.

All we can do right now is pray as the doctors in Miami try to do their best. If you hadn't heard, Sean was shot in his femoral artery around 1:45 this morning in his home in Miami. It is currently being called a home-invasion by the Miami-Dade police. He was back home recovering from a knee injury he suffered three weeks ago against Philly. His absence against Dallas was more than noticeable and we could have definitely used him yesterday.

Football aside this is tragic and all we can really do right now is pray that God sees Sean and his family through this.

I'm not really political and don't know a viable solution but something needs to be done in this country in regards to gun laws.

Does Matthews Help or Hurt His Players By Not Allowing Postgame Interviews

I can't really say I was surprised yesterday when JMU coach Mickey Matthews closed his locker room and prevented members of the media from interviewing players, even though NCAA playoff rules say he has to. But is the coach hindering these young men in their maturation off the field?

It's not the fact that they lost a gut-wrenching battle. Matthews has pulled these shenanigans for the last half of the season. Even after big wins where quarterback Rodney Landers set school rushing records, Matthews didn't allow anyone to speak with the player. Following the loss to Delaware, in which redshirt-freshman running back Griff Yancey fumbled late in the game, Matthews didn't allow Yancey to speak for himself.

Yesterday it was redshirt-freshman Jamal Sullivan who coughed it up late and of course Sullivan wasn't made available to the media.

Although Matthews took responsibility for the loss and questionable play-calling in the fourth quarter, he should still let the players who played an integral part in the game speak for themselves.

Landers, who again didn't speak to the media, had a phenomenal performance sans one interception. The Dukes leading rusher and passer, amassed 253 total yards of offense. He ran 29 times for 129 yards and completed 10-of-15 passes for 124 yards. He also completed a huge 35-yard pass to Bosco Williams in the final minute of the game to set up what should have been the game-winning drive. He did all of this with an ailing ankle that brought rumors throughout the week of him possibly sitting out the playoff game.

Matthews didn't let his star talk about the late-game heroic effort, or his fourth 100-100 passing-rushing performance of the season, or how he felt about his first season at the helm.

Far too often we hear of coaches talking about how they aren't just coaches but mentors teaching life lessons. What is the life lesson here then, if you face adversity and things don't go your way then hide from it? Everyone on that football team is an adult by American standards. They can all vote and own property etc., and they should all be able to speak for themselves. If I ask a guy for an interview and he says, "Not now Chapman" than I'm cool with that, but if that player can't say it for himself then something is wrong.

JMU vs. Appalachian St. Part 3: The Aftermath

Sorry I didn't get this up after the game, we had to drive back and finish up the game story last night.

But it basically came down to two main factors that contributed to the Dukes previous two losses against Richmond and Delaware.

1. Turnovers:
Like in the Delaware game, Matthews elected to put the ball in the hands of a redshirt-freshman running back late in the game. In Newark it was Griff Yancey who coughed up the ball in the closing minutes when the Dukes were nearing field goal range for the possible tie.

Yesterday in Boone, it was Jamal Sullivan who came in to replace Yancey when he went down in the third quarter. Sullivan played well rushing 12 times for 67 yards and carrying tacklers to first down markers. But Matthews expected too much out of the youngster and neglected to take into account his team's recent past. Sullivan fumbled with 22 seconds left on the ASU 9-yard line and that was the game.

2. Questionable Coaching:
Matthews didn't shy away from accepting responsibility for the loss, admitting that Sullivan shouldn't have been put in that situation. But really should anyone have been put in that situation. The Dukes spiked the ball after Yancey's 17-yard rush to the 9-yard line and instead of kicking the chip-shot field-goal well within junior Dave Stannard's range, Matthews decided to run another play.

He didn't give it Antoinne Bolton, a small back at 5-foot-8, but a reliable senior who would've have protected the ball. He didn't give it to Landers who could have just moved the ball to the center of the field, for a centered field goal attempt. Instead Sullivan tried to break outside where he was met by a gang of Mountaineer defenders and the ball was wrangled out.

Landers was the team's leading rusher all year and is as hard to take down as almost any rusher in the CAA. Just like in the Delaware and Richmond games Matthews didn't let Landers finish fourth quarter drives with his legs, the way he easily has game after game.

Madison fans can only hope that Matthews figures out how to utilize his personnel better next year when Eugene Holloman returns.

JMU vs. Appalachian St. Part 2: Halftime

With the two teams running the same offense with comparable talent it has stayed close. Its 19-14 as Appalachian St. has missed to PAT attempts. One was blocked by Scotty McGee the other was wide left from 36 yards out. A facemask penalty pushed that one back 15 yards.

The turnover margin is already played a key role. ASU's Kevin Richardson fumbled on the first possession and the Dukes scored on the ensuing drive with a 10 yard run by Griff Yancey. But JMU's Mike Caussin fumbled after a big hit following a catch across the middle. ASU's Jacque Roman returned the fumble to the JMU 2 yard line, setting up Armanti Edwards four-yard TD run.

Madison answered with 3:11 possession capped by a five yard run by Rodney Landers who looks healthy. ASU then tacked on two more scores with 1 yard runs by Richardson and Edwards.

Yancey has 71 yards rushing, Landers 70. Edwards has 116 yards rushing including a 41 yard run in the second quarter. Richardson has 44.

The Dukes will receive to start the second half and will need to fill the void of injured linebacker Justin Barnes. Whoever takes care of the ball and gets defensive stops will likely come out on top. Check back in two hours.

JMU vs. Appalachian St. Part 1: Pregame

Its already looking like it's going to be a hostile atmosphere today in Boone. After driving around to pick up some McDonalds, we saw the lots around Kid Brewer stadium filled with tailgaters. There was a decent contingent of JMU fans too though.

The Dukes can only worry about the game though and it's going to come down to how healthy junior quarterback Rodney Landers is. The latest I've heard is that Landers will make the start despite an ankle injury, despite coach Mickey Matthews reluctance to say so yesterday.

Landers led the Dukes in rushing and passing and is an integral part of every play. If he can't take every snap, redshirt freshman Drew Dudzik will step in. The Centreville native has a strong arm, but lacks the downfield running ability of Landers. This will put more pressure on the two main backs, redshirt freshman Griff Yancey and senior Antoinne Bolton.

Defensively the Dukes know what App. St. sophomore quarterback Armanti Edwards will be doing, as the Mountaineers run the same offense as JMU. Expect CAA Defensive Player of the Year, Tony LeZotte, to have a big game as he will be zoning in on the option run by Edwards and senior tailback Kevin Richardson.

Defensive tackles John Baranowsky (senior) and Sam Daniels (sophomore) can really set the tempo if they can collapse the pocket and own the line the way they have the last two weeks. Madison notched nine sacks last week against Towson and 'Baro' has four.

Special teams could also prove the difference and sophomore cornerback Scotty McGee can do just that. I'd have to imagine he's have at least one return across the 50.

If Landers is healthy and can take hits this game could be close and go either way. Check back around 1:30 for a halftime update.

JMU Beats Towson, Playoffs Next?

JMU football handled its business yesterday, but still have to wait til 3:30 today to find out if their 8-3 record will get them in the playoffs.

The Football Championship Subdivision — which is set up much better than the BowlCrapSeries — fields a 16-team tournament. Eight conferences get an automatic bid. With UMass and Richmond's wins today each team will make the tournament although only one will get the automatic. Delaware at 8-3, like JMU, have a strong case despite dropping its final two. The Blue Hens did beat Navy, a D I-AA opponent.

JMU lost to UNC which doesn't count against them and their two losses to Richmond and Delaware were by a combined four points and both teams are in the top-10. The CAA has received four bids before, last coming in 2004 when the league was still the Atlantic-10.

Three bubble teams lost today in Georgia Southern, Alabama A&M and Colgate making local Harrisonburg media to think JMU is definitely in. This raises another question though, where would the Dukes play. Although the games are usually regionally matched-up at least one eastern team will have to go out to undefeated Montana. The Dukes could get less travel and play in a televised game against Appalachian St. Many think because of the Michigan upset, the Mountaineers will get one of the two televised FCS games this year. One will by on Friday afternoon and the other on Saturday night.

Stay tuned to find out what lies ahead for a team that really likes to take it down to the end each regular season.

Will JMU Football Be Playing Next Week?

First things first: The Dukes need to handle Towson tomorrow in what should be a foregone conclusion. Towson (3-7, 1-6) plays tough defense, led by senior linebacker Brian Bradford, but still ranks ninth against the run. JMU needs to win so don't expect Coach Mickey Matthews to hold back with leading rusher, quarterback Rodney Landers. Landers ran for a school quarterback rushing record of 172 yards last week against William & Mary. Landers can also hand off to redshirt-freshman Griff Yancey and senior Antoinne Bolton who have emerged as weekly 100-yard backs in recent weeks. The Dukes put up 55 points last week and have that capability again this week with the return of L.C. Baker and Mike Caussin to the passing game.

Bolton will join tight end Marvin Brown and wide receiver/punt returner L.C. Baker on senior day from the offensive side of the ball. From the defensive side, d-linemen John Baranowsky and Hassan Abdul-Wahid, linebacker Justin Barnes, and d-backs Tony LeZotte and Nick Adams will likely play their last home game at Bridgeforth.

LeZotte has anchored the defensive secondary for 48 straight starts and will try to make his 49th a win to help the Dukes earn an at-large in the NCAA tournament.

"You never know what could happen with the playoffs and stuff," LeZotte said. "I'm gonna enjoy it and try not to think about it. [But] It's senior day its definitely gonna be a crazy time, my family's been around for eight years now, with my brother [Matt LeZotte '04) playing before. It's wild that its all windin' down and comin to an end."

If the Dukes win and a bunch of crazy stuff happens they could still win an automatic bid, but they will most likely have to wait til Sunday's selection show to find out. My prediction is JMU big. Final Score- 49-10.

I Know I Should've Already Thrown It In: Part 2

Okay, really my performance last week in the NFL games was horrific. I picked a little too much with my heart in thinking that Dallas would lose to the G-Men. But who would have thought Arizona would really beat a hot Detroit Lions team with such an explosive offense. Eh, with my luck this season, anything is possible.

1. Chargers over Jaguars- I like the toughness San Diego played with, in giving Indy its second straight loss, even if Vinatieri was a bit of a choke-artist. The Jaguars are a tough team as well, but this is where the Chargers will really begin to start turning things around. SD 41, JAX 24.

2. Giants over Lions- The Giants are still a solid team despite a not-so rousing performance at home versus Dallas. Maybe the Lions really aren't that good, c'mon Arizona scoring 31, NYG's offense is far more potent. NYG 49, DET 28.

3. Saints over Texans- The Saints know how weak this NFC South Division is and know they can still win it. They ran off four straight after dropping the first four and the Texans are still too much of a mediocre team to hang with Bush and Brees. Bush vs. Williams part 2- NO 31, HOU 14.

4. Seahawks over Bears- Seattle is inconsistent and Alexander is still questionable, but its at a loud Qwest Field and the Bears are pathetic. SEA 24, CHI 3.

5. Redskins over Cowboys- I don't care if it is in Dallas or if the Cowboys are a top-2 NFC team, its the Redskins, and like Sonny Jurgensen I will never pick against them. This is right up there in American sports rivalries with the Yankees and Red Sox and it is never a foregone conclusion. WASH 28, DAL 21.

6. Titans over Broncos- The Broncos aren't what they used to be and for some reason I never pick against Vince Young because he will always seem like a winner after the 2006 National Championship. Could really go either way but- TEN 35 DEN 21.

I Know I Should've Already Thrown It In: Part 1

Alright back to backing up my picks. I was 5-1 in the college games which never happens and then I tanked on Sunday, all after a 9-3 performance. So maybe my inconsistency will make me have a good week after last week's 6-6.

1. #13 JMU over Towson- The Dukes already lost at home once this season and I don't expect it to happen twice, especially not on Senior Day. Tony LeZotte will make his 49th straight start and he, John Baranowsky, L.C. Baker, Antoinne Bolton and more aren't ready for their career to be over just yet. A win will likely send JMU back to the playoffs for the second straight year. Scotty McGee is also back fielding kickoffs so expect a lot of big plays out of him and Baker. JMU 49, Towson 10.

2. #22 Hofstra over #7 UMass- After dropping its third conference game the Pride are likely out of playoff contention, but expect the senior class to go out strong especially at home and look to spoil the Minutemen's chance at the conference title. Hofstra's also only lost once at home this year making Hampstead a tough place to play. Hofstra 28, UMass 24.

3. William & Mary over #8 Richmond- It doesn't matter that the Tribe is absolutely pathetic against the run. This is still an instate rivalry and William & Mary would also like to play spoiler to the Spiders title hopes. Richmond shouldn't take Hightower and the starters out too early in this one. UPSET SPECIAL- W&M 45, UR 42.

4. #9 Delaware over Villanova- Forget the fact that the Blue Hens lost at home to Richmond last week, they still want home field for the first round especially if a loss meant playing at Delaware St. in the first round. Expect Omar Cuff to finish his senior regular season with a typical game of at least three touchdowns. Delaware 35, Villanova 14.

5. #15 Clemson over #17 Boston College- BCS college football is not my forte after following JMU around all year. But I'll make an attempt in these two games. Rumor is Tommy Bowden is on the hot seat and B.C. is not the No. 2 team everyone thought they weren't anyways. A loss at Maryland has to be demoralizing after such a high at Va. Tech. Clemson 27, B.C. 14.

6. #7 Ohio St. over #21 Michigan- Michigan lost again and it wasn't impressive to unranked Wisconsin. It is in the Big House, but Michigan couldn't even defend its field against a Pac-10 opponent in Oregon. Ohio St. was No. 1 for a reason and would like to get back in the top five. Oh yeah and a trip to the Rose Bowl is up for grabs. OSU 31, Michigan 24.

Pleeease tell me why these picks never seem to work out because yes, I'm still in last.

BBall Season is Finally Here

That title really doesn't tend to hold much weight on our campus, but who knows maybe this will be the year JMU turns it around. I'm not gonna go out on a limb and make any bold predictions of a bunch of wins or a deep postseason run, but I guarantee the quality of play will be better.

With the addition of Abdulai Jalloh, a junior transfer from St. Josephs, the Dukes might actually have a legitimate go-to guy. At 6-foot-2 Jalloh has an incredible ability to get to the rim. I've seen him a number of times over the last year in practices throw down ridiculous dunks, including his own alley-oops off the backboard. Jalloh can also hit from the perimeter and will take the pressure off of Joe Posey when it comes to filling it up from outside.

Tonight Jalloh will debut in the purple and gold against a Siena team that was picked to win the MAAC. It will be interesting to see how he meshes with his new team after leaving St. Joes as it's leading scorer and rebounder. Predicted stat line- 22 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists.

Some things are more important than sports

I'd like to use my blog to publish a very moving account of the Marathon Olympic Trials this past Saturday. My brother-in-law Eric Post was in the race and witnessed the tragic death of fellow competitor Ryan Shay. I can definitely relate as I witnessed a friend die during a pick-up game of basketball just a few years ago. Like Shay, my friend Brad Becker was only in his twenties.

Eric Post:

It is an image that I hope stays with me forever – Ryan Shay, lying face down on the
asphalt, arms at his side.

As morbid as this may sound, I mean it in the least-morbid way.

The cliche that anything can be taken from us in an instant went from being simply a line that I had heard a thousand times to being as real as the race I was currently running.

We were just a touch over five miles into a twenty-six plus mile event when I saw a runner down on the asphalt. I could tell it was a Saucony-sponsored runner by the singlet and shorts. At first I thought it was another Saucony-sponsored runner whom I had run against in high school and college.

Man, he must have been tripped from behind and hit his head on the pavement on the
downhill, I thought.

What else could it have been? We had barely begun running. Five miles into the marathon – with the first few miles at a crawl – our bodies were just beginning to warm up, let alone be stressed.

No blood. That’s weird. How could someone fall on the asphalt, hit their head and not be bleeding?

That’s when I knew it was something far worse. Heart. Lungs. Something serious...real
serious.

The focus in a marathon is so intense that I didn’t think anything more about it for the remaining twenty-odd miles. Soon after crossing the line I saw Jacob Frey, the runner who I thought had fallen earlier in the race. Then I was really confused.

Didn’t he...wait...how did he finish ahead...

I guess the marathon does put your mind in a bit of a fog.

After a couple of minutes I saw a colleague and she said quietly, “Did you hear someone died?”

Holy shit.

Saucony does not sponsor too many athletes, so the list of people it could have been was small.

A short time later I ran into a college teammate, Mike Smith, and I asked him if he knew what happened. He said, “Dude, Ryan Shay is dead. He died, man.” Mike’s eyes were visibly red and watery. Ryan Shay had been living in Flagstaff, Arizona, where Mike currently lived.

I recalled riding in the elevator that morning with Mike and Shay. I thought about how Shay seemed very upbeat and in a good mood, ready to have a good day – like all of us. As we went into Rockefeller Center prior to the race, Mike, Shay and I put our belongings three in a row along one of the pillars on the bottom level of the building.

He had no idea he was going to die in less than two hours.

I cannot help but repeat the above statement in my mind.

I have never been so close to someone near death before. Not close from a relationship perspective – I had never spoken to Shay before – but close from a literal perspective.

The eeriness, the sadness, the reality is something that has rocked me to the core. Could I have died Saturday? Could I die today? Tomorrow?

Essentially, Ryan and I are one in the same. We were both born in 1979, both married, both ran collegiately, both qualified for the Trials, both fit and ready to run fast.

So, why him? Was it the enlarged heart? Maybe, maybe not. The preliminary autopsy
proved inconclusive. Either way, he had been cleared to run by a variety of doctors –
doctors who know running. We trust doctors. But, who ultimately can we trust?

I recall that as the start of the race approached on Saturday I was unintentionally praying the Our Father while listening to my iPod. You would think that if a song was playing in your headphones you would be reciting the lyrics. But, faith shines through when emotions are at an ultimate high – before a major competition, at a wedding, a funeral. We draw on faith when we know we need the help of someone much bigger than ourselves to get through a difficult or life changing time.

A good friend could tell that the events of Saturday were weighing on me. He asked, “Is this going to make you not want to run?” I didn’t have an answer. I fear what could happen if I repeatedly give the kind of effort that competitive distance running requires. Is it the repeated effort that ended Shay’s life?

Now, being a few days removed from the race, I have gained a new perspective on life and running. As a catholic, I know that God has a plan for me, my family and my friends. If I continue to put my faith in God and live everyday in an honest and faithful way, I will find comfort in knowing that whatever happens will happen for a reason. Perhaps we will struggle to find the “why” in life’s events, but in time we will know.

What I can say as I think back to that morning and look back at the pictures of Ryan Shay the morning of the race, is that we truly never know when it is our time to leave this world and we must be ready because I can unequivocally say that he had no idea that at 8:46 on Saturday, November 3rd, he would collapse and pass away doing something that he was undoubtedly trained to do.

From this day forward, I will think of Ryan Shay – even if it’s for just a split second – on every run, every workout, and every race and ask God to safely get me through what lies ahead.

I want that image of Ryan Shay to serve as my reminder to appreciate life, to be thankful for the people in my life and to never take for granted the gifts that God has given me.

Redskins win, but didn't look good.

I didn't get to really take in the game yesterday as I was knocking out another edition of Monday's paper, but my friend Darren Painter had a few words to say about it and I'd have to agree.

After watching yesterdays game, I'm convinced of one thing. Al Saunders should be drawn and quartered or better yet sent off to Greenland away from anything to do with the NFL. 20 straight drives with only 1 touchdown and that came after being down 52-0 to the Pats. No touchdowns to a wide receiver. I'm not sure if they know how to run a pass route that involves the receivers running into the end zone.

I guess I shouldn't be complaining after being down to the hapless Jets 17-3 yesterday, they stormed back and scored 20 straight points and once again their defense only allowed 13 points since the other 7 were attributed to the special teams. But 5 field goals and 1 touchdown in the red zone! I guess my biggest problem is that when they had the ball and a chance to run out the clock they did their usual run right 3 yards, run left 2 yards and then draw play for 2 yards and punt.

The only thing worse than suffering through watching the anemic offense was listening to "Moose" Johnston talk bad about the Redskins for 4 quarters and comment on all the blown holding calls the officials missed. This guy is so one sided it's ridiculous. He needs to take a few lessons from Troy Aikman who is complimentary of both teams during a game and lets the play dictate his comments, not the fact that he once played for the Cowboys and still can't get over the rivalry, plus he wears horrible shirts and ties.

That is my Sunday story!