Behind The Scoreboard - Claude Vinson


Thursday, May 4, 2006
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Behind The Scoreboard
By Claude Vinson

NBA and NFL

It could appear that we are digressing a bit in this article, but sometimes a little retro goes a long ways. Football season has been over for a couple of months now (and I am sure that some of you football widows were thrilled with the demise), but there is the national draft to consider.

Generally, over the years I have always tried to keep the readership abreast of who went where to do whatever. And since the NBA playoffs are still in infancy, it is a good time to leave that arena briefly and give a capsule on the draft.

Coincidently, the Mississippi jurisdiction of the Knights of Columbus was being held in Tupelo last weekend, and I along with Dr. Walter Walls of Snow Lake Shores were delegates representing Council 8760 of Holly Springs.

Yours truly had been tending a barbecue all day (on Friday and Saturday), in the midst of attending committee meetings, to provide sustenance for the District One hospitality room. Anyhow, the hour of the Saturday banquet was rapidly approaching and I had to rush back to the hotel for a change of apparel and get back by 7 p.m. to get same table seating for Walter and me.

I had forgotten that the Grizzlies were playing their third game with the Mavericks and they were giving Dallas the old one-three. The game went into overtime and I had to leave before the end to rush back to the banquet. It was a crushing moment to learn later that the Griz had lost their 11th consecutive playoff game!

While the NBA is still sorting out who will be number one, the NFL Draft ended months of speculation as to who would be number one in the annual selection process to the pro ranks. The leading picks had been that Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush would go one and two in that order. However, prior to picking day (Saturday), Leinart had slipped considerably, to first round 10th overall by the Cardinals of Arizona. Bush landed at number two in New Orleans’ stable (Do those Saints know what to do with running backs?).

A defensive end from North Carolina State , Mario Williams, was taken as number one overall by the Houston Texans. The Texans had the first pick and could have selected anyone.

Vince Young, who thrilled the world with his exploits in the national championship game, was snatched up by the Titans. The former Longhorn is supposed to be the heir apparent to “Air” McNair.

Last but not least, the favorite son in these parts, DeAngelo Williams, the NCAA Division One all time standard bearer for total yards of any kind and yards per carry, became a Carolina Panther in the first round at 27th.

Williams’ fans are already salivating over the fact that he will be less than a day’s driving away when he takes the pro fields this fall. As one fan put it, “It is probably going to look like a caravan on game day!”

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