sports

Rollover of ridiculous contract puts Paul Hewitt on defensive

2010-03-17T13:18:17Z

Paul Hewitt has a thin-skin problem. If the Georgia Tech coach's skin were any thinner, it would be see-through.

After railing on and off this season about one local columnist who built a solid, if slightly exaggerated, case that the Yellow Jackets were underachieving, he took the occasion of his contract rollover Tuesday to fire away indiscriminately at imaginary critics.

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The former college journalism major suggested that media have reported he walked into former athletics director Dave Braine's office after Tech's Final Four run in 2004, figuratively held a gun to Braine's head and got the all-time sweetheart deal -- an automatic six-year rollover contract. And, he alluded to reports that Tech has not fired Hewitt because the buyout would be too costly.

First of all, I have read or heard nothing of the sort from a reputable journalist. (That doesn't say the question of the buyout being prohibitively expensive hasn't been raised, as it should be.)

Further, Hewitt implied he hasn't read or heard anything from legitimate news sources, only that he has been told so by fans who've approached him. (Which implies they're listening to sports talk shows.).

So, Hewitt is firing away at critics based on second-hand information.

I'll give Hewitt this: It's NCAA Tournament week -- the Jackets dance with Oklahoma State -- and this usually uptight fellow is surely wound like a tom-tom. And he cannot be blamed for the contract; that falls on Braine, who should have known that almost every coach eventually loses favor and a six-year buyout is fiscally irresponsible.

But Hewitt must realize that he works in a city where media criticism of coaches is mild and at a college where the fan base is not passionate enough to launch www.firepaulhewitt.com. His team needs to be defensive on the court. Off of it, he doesn't.

Yo, Paul: Chill, dude.

Georgia Tech draws 10th seed, Oklahoma State in first round

2010-03-15T00:09:56Z

Entering its conference tournament, Georgia Tech was on the outside, looking in at the NCAAs. And while most pundits put the Yellow Jackets in the Big Dance after they ended North Carolina's misery in the first round of the ACC, the unveiling of the bracket Sunday suggests coach Paul Hewitt (left) needed two of the three W's it got in Greensboro.

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As a No. 10 seed, Tech was either fourth-, fifth- or sixth-to-last at-large team invited. (The other 10s are Florida and Missouri. Worse seeds UTEP, Minnesota and Utah State were the final three waved in before the door was shut.)

Which means, had the Jackets been ousted by N.C. State in the ACC semifinals, they might have been NIT-bound.

Instead, they land in the Midwest Region with an opening game against Oklahoma State. The Cowboys were only of two teams to slay top overall seed Kansas. They have a monster scorer in James Anderson. They have no real shortcomings; no glaring strengths, either.

It's a winnable game for Tech, which must have driven the selection committee batty with its erratic play. Even in the ACC tourney, where the Jackets fell five points shy of the title, they were wretched during long stretches -- notably the entire first half against UNC.

Assuming they survive the first round, Ohio State and player of the year Evan Turner likely awaits. The Buckeyes only go six players deep, so Tech's depth could wear them down.

The clearest of crystal balls could not foresee how Tech will fare. One-and-done? Possible. Meet Kansas in the region finals? Possible.

Drive its devotees crazy? Certain.

Drinking arrest sets back Mettenberger in UGA quarterback race

2010-03-08T20:21:39Z

After just one spring practice, the candidates for Georgia's quarterback gig have gotten some separation. And the practice had nothing to do with it.

With the arrest of Zach Mettenberger (left)

on five misdemeanor counts involving underage drinking, he has slipped to No. 3 behind Logan Gray and Aaron Murray. Doesn't matter how many slants and post patterns Zach completed Friday. The 18-year-old has some catching up to do.

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Why should it matter? Well, a few seasons back, the Bulldogs piled up an impressive arrest record, and players are on constant notice from coach Mark Richt to live within the law.

This offense could be considered trivial, unless the 18-year-old was driving. And what does it say about his judgment if he were disorderly and obstructed justice, as charged?

Funny thing (sort of) about college athletes who face the wrath of their coach for illegal alcohol consumption. They probably have suffered through a puking experience once and have vowed to avoid it again. But they don't know what barfing is until they run up and down enough stadium steps as penance for their misdeeds.

Falcons shipping out Chris Houston; a new man is in town

2010-03-08T14:53:43Z

With cornerback Dunta Robinson now a Falcon via trade, Atlanta had no room for two deadlocked cornerbacks who wear No. 23 and answer to Houston.

OK, that's not why the Falcons are dealing Chris Houston, likely to the Detroit Lions, for a draft pick. It's that Houston was highly culpable in Atlanta's No. 28 ranking against the pass.

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Houston is eye-popping physically, but he gets turned around too often in coverage. The Falcons have relegated him to backup at least once and were tempted other times. Houston may have been a victim of his physical ability, which promised more than he could deliver.

Robinson, arriving from Houston, is a similar package but has a knack for interceptions. The Falcons made a run at him last year. Now, he's theirs.

Falcons brass vowed to upgrade the secondary. The promise was fulfilled with these tandem moves that put the DBs in somewhat better position to weather the Drew Brees aerial show twice next season.

Braves kick off Cox's spring farewell with loss to Mets

2010-03-02T22:07:07Z

As snow blanketed Atlanta and chilled our bodies, our minds drifted south to Port St. Lucie, Fla., where the Atlanta Braves were keeping score for the first time this year.

That they lost 4-2 to the New York Mets, who sat all of their regulars after a morning shower apparently turned the field into quicksand, is insignificant. (For the record, Chipper Jones didn't play, either, but he wasn't scheduled to.)

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Young Tommy Hanson got the start and pitched two run-free innings. Rightfielder Jason Heyward, the second coming, packaged a hit and a stolen base with two walks.

A bigger deal was this: Bobby Cox managing his last Grapefruit League opener. (He didn't even get thrown out.) The epitaphs already are rolling out for the accomplished skipper -- probably, too, are the epithets from his scattered detractors -- and will become an unavoidable theme through September.

And October, if there is one for the Braves.

Tech loses backup QB Jaybo Shaw; UGA unsure of starter

2010-03-02T21:00:42Z

It's the dead of winter, but the hills are alive with chatter about the Georgia Tech and Georgia quarterback developments.

On the Flats, with incumbent Josh Nesbitt choosing surgery over spring practice, projected second-in-command Jaybo Shaw (left) won't be around to fill in. He is transferring to Georgia Southern.

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n Athens, QB coach Mike Bobo has thrown the job open to three players.

Why Tech Nation should be concerned:Shaw was the clear backup to Nesbitt, who exposes himself to injury by the option play favored by coach Paul Johnson.

Why Tech Nation shouldn't be concerned: Nesbitt stayed healthier last year than the previous season, which suggests he has learned to cover up before big hits. And Shaw will play at Southern for Jeff Monken, a Johnson hire at Tech who recently left for Statesboro. Assuming everyone is on good terms, Johnson likely made it clear that Shaw might never start for the Yellow Jackets. Monken wouldn't steal a player from his mentor.

Why Bulldogs Nation shouldn't be concerned: Bobo is a 10th-year UGA assistant who knows his stuff. Logan Gray, Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger all came highly recommended.

Why Bulldogs Nation should be concerned: Murray and Mettenberger are redshirt freshmen, so the junior Gray was in position to claim the job -- and hasn't. Joe Cox frustrated fans last year, partly because he was the unfortunate sap who had to follow Matthew Stafford, and Cox's successor is unlikely to raise the bar.

Thrashers go old-school, sign 48-year-old Chelios

2010-03-02T20:08:31Z

Not to be outdone by the Atlanta Braves, who have become the last stop before retirement for several just-under-40 players, the Atlanta Thrashers upped and signed a 48-year-old. If you follow hockey, you've heard of him: Chris Chelios (left). If you follow the Thrashers, you just shake your head.

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A decorated NHL defenseman, Chelios is toiling in the minor leagues, which makes you wonder why a guy who has pocketed nearly $50 million in salary is riding buses to road games. Maybe he's broke. Maybe he has Brett Favre disease, multiplied. Whatever, only the Thrashers would subject themselves to ridicule by signing him.

Chelios may never see the Philips Arena ice during a game. The Thrashers aren't resting their playoff hopes on the old dude. But he can display his Stanley Cup rings and tell players who've never dabbled in the postseason what it takes to get there.

Or, he already will be in-house to succeed Don Waddell when the general manager exist stage left.

Smoltz sticks to pitching, not campaigning; anyone else?

2010-03-01T22:37:41Z

John Smoltz says he will not play hardball -- not the type in baseball stadiums, but in the hallowed halls of Congress.

The former Atlanta Brave (left) turned away real or imagined Republican Party overtures about running for office. He's bright, stubborn and feisty enough to survive the bipartisan brush-back pitching that characterizes federal lawmaking nowadays, but he'll stick to high-and-tight from the pitcher's mound.

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We have it on good authority that other Atlanta sports figures have declared themselves out of the running for public office jobs.

State Labor Commissioner: Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Woodson, whose contract expires after this season, might be too busy looking for a job in basketball to spend time finding jobs for others.

U.S. Secretary of the Interior: Atlanta Thrashers general manager Don Waddell isn't a good fit for the guy who oversees forests. He continues to deny the club has a bleak future or is at risk of relocating, which means he can't see the forest for the trees.

State Attorney General: Georgia coach Mark Richt, despite considerable experience dealing with young (helmeted) adults on the wrong side of the law, is more comfortable in the court of public opinion.

Secretary of Transportation: Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson has proven with his unorthodox offense that there are different ways to get from Point A to Point B. But he doesn't like to travel by air.

State Director of Budget and Planning: Braves general manager Frank Wren has shown he sure can stick to a budget, much to the chagrin of fans, but making guys agree to work for $4 million instead of $5 million a year won't cut it in this gig.

Georgia girl Elana Meyers strikes bronze at Winter Olympics

2010-02-25T20:26:44Z

On the eve of the biggest day of her life, with bobsled partner nursing a hamstring injury that threatened to undo hundreds of training hours, Elana Meyers (left) of Douglasville sent me this email: "We're not sure what will happen at the push, but I'm still optimistic we can contend for a medal."

What hue? "Gold is always the goal, but of course we will be happy with any medal."

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So, never mind that after three smooth runs that had Meyers and driver Erin Pac solidly in second place, the USA-2 sled slipped to third on the final joy ride down the course. Bronze might not shine as brightly as silver, but for someone whose Olympic dreams seemed dashed a few years ago when softball was ushered out of the Summer Games, bronze was pleasantly blinding.

The athletic Meyers, daughter of onetime Atlanta Falcons running back Eddie Meyers, played softball through college and considered the bats-and-balls sport as her ticket to the Olympics. But her career peaked as the sport was losing favor with the IOC, so she adopted one that has been a quick study among incredibly fit outsiders such as fellow Georgian Herschel Walker.

So Meyers pushed and Pac guided the sled formerly known as Pinky (because of its pink flames, since removed) that was given little chance of medaling because of its passengers' inexperience. (Pac has been around longer but only recently switched to driver.)

A medal was no obsession. "If we can come away knowing we did everything possible to win the gold, even if it doesn't happen, we'll be happy," Meyers had e-mailed.

Happiness is doing your best -- and winning a bronze, to boot.

One Georgian in these Games, one medal. Not bad for a snow-starved state.

Johnny (not) on the spot; Damon spurns Braves for Tigers

2010-02-22T11:25:45Z

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Damon took the Detroit Tigers' $8 million over the $4.5 mil (including deferred money) from the Braves. Had the club budged from the $95 million team salary figure that apparently has been carved in stone through eternityl, it could have better competed for Damon -- or others.

Not that Johnny D is pinstriped-worthy anymore, with his Little-Leaguish arm strength and misleading power numbers from Yankee Stadium's short right field. Still he would have aided an outfield that might consists of, left to right, Matt Diaz, Nate McLouth and Melky Cabrera.

The pressure intensifies on super prospect Jason Heyward to become major league-ready at age 20. The Braves must fast-track him now. Good luck, kid.

Pitchers and catchers, the core of this club, held their first spring training workout Saturday. No worries there (except maybe a ging in the bullpen). The birds were singin'; the sun was shinin'.

When the hitters show up Tuesday, it will turn a bit quieter and dimmer. Barring a big-time acquisition with a lethal bat, the Braves dive into 2010 as the third-best team in the NL East.

Tragic end for Vanderbilt signee Rajaan Bennett

2010-02-18T16:05:07Z

It just doesn't get any sadder than this: Rajaan Bennett (left) -- "A" student at McEachern High, the man in a father-less home, recently committed to a stellar university that properly balances sports and academics -- shot dead.

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Police label it a murder-suicide. They suspect a former boyfriend of Bennett's mom pulled the trigger. Twice.

It's easy to imagine this scene: Former boyfriend shows up, prompting Bennett to act as protector. Takes a bullet heroically.

He was the primo recruit for Vanderbilt, which sets the bar so high that most prospects dance the limbo under it without bending. The Commodores don't go after semi-literates who think a degree only means what the temperature is.

R.I.P., Rajaan. Life is unfair, and you're the latest example.

Braves pitcher Jurrjens gets a swell(ing) diagnosis

2010-02-17T22:55:30Z

Jair Jurrjens is OK. Which means Atlanta Braves management can stop kicking itself for choosing Javier Vazquez instead of him as The Starting Pitcher We Can Live Without.

Shoulder inflammation sent Jurrjens (left) to the doc Wednesday for an MRI that would determine any damage. The pictures showed nothing to fret about, and the righty is expected to get the call every five days this season.

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The Braves never seriously considered dealing him, instead sending the older, more expensive Vazquez to the hated Yankees. Can't blame 'em. Jurrjens just turned 24 and was the staff's -- maybe the National League's -- most effective starter in September.

His shoulder did endure 215 innings last season, a heap for a young'un. If the problem reappears, Bobby Cox could give him time off when the Braves run into off-days.

Too bad Vazquez couldn't stay, especially since the Braves were not equally compensated in return. (Melky Cabrera? C'mon.) But six-man rotations are a luxury, so the Braves must hope the ibuprofen does its thang.

If Joe Johnson departs, Hawks hope he leaves parting gift

2010-02-16T16:38:26Z

"Well, he started in the NBA All-Star game," Joe Johnson's agent will argue as he seeks a $17-million-a-year deal from the Atlanta Hawks.

"Yeah, well, he wouldn't have started had Allen Iverson showed up," the Hawks, who offered Johnson (left) $15 mil last year, will counter.

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And so it will go next summer for the Hawks' sublime free agent-to-be. Now, the Hawks emerge from their all-star break hibernation -- except for game participants Johnson and Al Horford -- for a playoff charge with the rosten that brung 'em here.

By all accounts, general manager Rick Sund will have an affordable cellphone bill this month, having made no calls to colleagues to talk trade. (OK, he may have unlimited text messaging.) Johnson, already stirring up rumors with innocent comments, is the only get on the squad, and the Hawks don't dare trade Mr. Go-To. Sund hints he'll stand pat.

The Hawks are where they wanna be in the standings, sort of. The goal was top four in the East, the reward being home-court advantage in the first round. There they will stay, barring catastrophic injury or a Josh Smith blow-up.

Yet, if they wind up fourth, a second-round dance looms with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Atlanta has proven capable of fencing in LeBron James, and the Cavs are shopping like a day-after-Thanksgiving lunatic for upgrades to their already formidable roster.

The success or failure of the season could come down to the Hawks-Cavs playoff series outcome. The fallout could be Joe Johnson leaving town by choice -- his or the Hawks.

Thrashers inspire (for once) on the ice, not in front office

2010-02-10T16:51:18Z

Another day, another uninspiring trade by the Atlanta Thrashers. The deal to send goalie Kari Lehtonen (left) to the Dallas Stars for a prospect and a modest draft pick is not the head-scratcher that was wizard Ilya Kovalchuk to the New Jersey Devils for a car full of who dats? But it doesn't make you say, "Smart move, guys" either.

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The club was hardly in a position of strength here. The league knows it's content with incumbent keepers Johan Hedberg and Ondrej Pavalec. Lehtonen has had two back surgeries and last took the ice for an NHL game in April. His minor-league rehab record was 1-2-2.

There was no market for him. In fact, the Stars acquired Lehtonen primarily in case they lose one or both goalies as free agents.

Yet, the deal serves as a reminder that another franchise building block is gone with nary a playoff win as a memento.

Now, let's give the players credit. Sandwiched between the swaps was a Thrasher win for the ages. Pummeled at Washington last Friday night, the team didn't arrive at Philips Arena for a Saturday game until after 5 p.m. The Thrashers spotted Florida two goals, then swarmed the better-rested visitors 4-2.

Unlike the trades, that was inspiring.

Props to Falcons' chief rival for bringing Super Bowl title south

2010-02-08T14:38:22Z

The Atlanta Falcons have no fiercer rival than the New Orleans Saints, your newest Super Bowl champions.

They entered the NFL a year apart in the mid-1960s. They represented the league's breakthrough into the deep south. Their histories are remarkably similar, with career win percentages hovering around 42 percent and no ultimate prize -- until Sunday.

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So, should Falcon Nation should be cringing that the Saints experienced football orgasm first? Hardly. It should congratulate N'Awlins with a pat on its fleur-de-lis (left) and resolve that, "We're next."

The team formerly knows as the Aint's pulled off an upset that proves there are no real upsets anymore in this league of parity. Which means, the Falcons are reminded a solid team that stays injury-free and features a capable quarterback can win the big'un.

Besides, Falcons-vs.-Saints has never been vitriolic. More like two gangs showing up at the same party, keeping their distance and having a fine, old time. The way sports rivalries oughta be.

And, how could anyone outside the Hoosier State not feel goose-bumpy good for the folks in Louisiana still rinsing off the aftermath of Katrina? The Saints' goofball owner, Tom Benson, resisted temptations to move the franchise, which would have denied the locals a needed rallying point during their recovery.

The Saints aren't the best team to win the Super Bowl. This, though, was the best outcome of all XLIV of them.

Oh, and here's how the oddsmakers see the Falcons, Saints and others for the next Super Bowl, only 364 days away.