Sports Writing Samples

Following are several samples of my writing in the sports coverage category.  I spent several years covering sports in New England and in Florida.  These are some of the products of those years.

High School vs. College-Which Degree Is More Powerful in the NBA?

Every year with the end of basketball season and the upcoming NBA draft, as well as high school seniors looking at colleges there’s talk of players that may or may not have the talent to jump straight from the prep scene to the NBA.

Only recently was this jump made impossible by the current collective bargaining agreement, as the 2005 draft was the last to include high schoolers.

This year as we near the draft 18 year old prospect Ricky Rubio has sparked my interest in that, were he born in the US he would not be allowed to enter the draft however as he’s from Spain he will likely be drafted this year in the top 10, and possibly even the top five.

The argument that many make to keep high schoolers from jumping to the NBA is that when you’re right out of high school you’re simply not ready.

It is said that players need the years in college to develop their games to an NBA level, and that the amazingly successful players that have jumped from high school to the NBA are the exception, not the rule. Given all of this controversy, I decided to do a little study, and see what the truth is.

Here are my findings:

First, let me outline my study.  I looked at career numbers for players that jumped from high school to the NBA, and the same numbers for players who attended five major college programs throughout the country (Duke, UNC, Kansas, Kentucky, and UCLA).

These programs have provided their share of superstars as well as busts to the NBA, and all have histories decades long of producing NBA quality players.

What I’ll do here is now that I’ve collected the data, bring out a few numbers and compare exactly who is more successful, those who jump from high school to the NBA, or those that take the college route.

Now, below is a chart averaging career averages of players who have attended one of the schools listed above or came straight from high school. The criteria was simple, they either attended one of these schools or came straight from high school, and they played at least one minute professionally.

I realize that from each school and among those that graduated high school and skipped college prior to their NBA career, there are many who simply don’t ever play and I’ll be taking a look at that after this.

	Pts	TRB	AST	STL	BLK
High School	10.7068	5.11136	1.664	0.665	0.82
Duke	8.67391	3.70217	1.9	0.706	0.47
UNC	9.73621	3.6807	2.134	1.094	0.6
UCLA	7.96912	3.675	1.903	0.745	0.61
Kansas	7.92308	4.11282	1.628	0.584	0.45
Kentucky	8.46078	3.60612	1.927	0.956	0.48

As you can see, those who skipped college average more points, rebounds, and blocks per game than any of those who were a part of any of these five premier programs.

Now this is not really the whole story many will cite examples such as Ricky Sanchez, who was selected 35th overall in 2005 as an example of exactly why you shouldn’t select a high schooler in the draft.

Others will say that for every Kobe Bryant or Lebron James there are ten that won’t make the league. While that’s true in general about the NBA, it’s not true about those who have officially declared for the draft.

Well, how about instead of telling you I show you?  Below is a chart showing how many players the NBA has on record to have declared for the draft but have never laced up their sneakers and played minutes in a professional game:

	Didn't Make it	Total Declared	%
Kentucky	40	91	0.43956044
Kansas	29	69	0.420289855
Duke	27	73	0.369863014
UNC	36	94	0.382978723
UCLA	32	101	0.316831683
High School	7	53	0.132075472

Now, as you can clearly see the rate of utter failure in the league is more than three times as high if you played college ball at Kentucky than if you skipped college altogether.

In fact the best chance of success seems to be jumping from high school to the NBA, the second best route being UCLA historically as there is only a 31 percent failure rate vs. the 13 percent failure rate with those that jumped directly from high school.

Overall I simply don’t see the argument for going to college vs. jumping straight to the NBA. The statistics going as far back as the 1940’s show that if you have the skills, you should make the jump.

I’ve heard additional arguments that say that coaches don’t have the proper amount of time to scout a player if they jump from high school however my study shows that they seem to do a fine job scouting overall.

With examples like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Kevin Garnett it’s hard to argue with not drafting a player of such incredible skill right out of high school, and also hard to make the argument that they need the experience in college.

Although it should be noted that Kobe made a slow transition, averaging only 7 ppg in his rookie season, but still high school players have given us some of the best that ever played the game.

Moses Malone is the sixth all time scorer, third all time rebounder, and 22nd all time blocker and is the proud owner of three MVP awards.

In fact, amongst the group of 53 high school draftees there are five MVP awards, and at least 30 All Star appearances.  On a list of high school draftees, you can also find at least seven starters for playoff teams from this postseason.

In short the numbers simply don’t support the argument that skipping college makes any sense, and while the idea seems to what should we believe? The morals that drive us to believe such things as a year of college is necessary, or the numbers that say you’re better off to skip?

Should we let the exception to the rule-someone such as Ricky Sanchez-dictate the rules, or the more common result of someone like Dwight Howard guide the hands that mold the rules of the league? You decide.

By Land, By Air, and By D, The Patriots Plow Through the Bears for a Win

For the second week in a row, and the fourth time this season, the high poweredNew England offense absolutely shredded one of the league's best defenses.  

Despite blizzard like conditions and winds up to 40 mph, QB Tom Brady threw for 369 yards and two touchdowns, finishing the game with a QB rating of 113.4 and an amazing streak of 255 passes thrown without throwing an interception.  

Put a player of the week caliber performance like that by Brady together with 124 yards and a touchdown from the running game and you've got a dominant offense.  

Throw in four forced turnovers by an opportunistic defense (two interceptions and two recovered fumbles) and you've got the recipe for a blowout, 36-7 victory.  

This win was not just impressive as it was against a tough Chicago defense, but it also clinched the Patriots a playoff berth in the AFC playoffs and added credibility to their grasp on the unofficial title of "best team in the NFL" as we move into the final few weeks of what has been both an interesting and exciting season for the Patriots and their fans.

While a great many things have changed since Sept 21, 1975 when Belichick made his first appearance in the NFL at Soldier Field as a special teams assistant coach on theBaltimore Colts, the thing that has surely affected him the most has been the transformation of Tom Brady from a late round draft pick to a sure-fire, first ballot Hall of Fame quarterback.  Woodhead heads for the end zone Sunday in Chicago

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

The one thing that didn't change was the result of the game however, as Bill saw his team win 35-7 way back then-albeit in much more comfortable weather conditions. That day changed NFL history, not only due to Belichick's first appearance on an NFL sideline, but also due to the debut of Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton (who posted a grand total of -4 yards that day).  

Today changed NFL history as Tom Brady not only passed Steve DeBerg for 20th on the all time passing yardage list, but also tied legendary gunslinger Dan Fouts with 254 career passing touchdowns—good for 12th all time.

The game started as many who saw the weather for the Chicago area might have expected, with a couple of short drives that ended in punts as both offenses struggled at first to get used to the whipping winds, driving temperatures down to as low 0 degrees.  

The difference between the two teams however was simple: The Patriots conquered the weather first.  

On their second possession of the game, they made quick work of the Bears, putting together a 12 play, five-minute drive that culminated with Brady's first touchdown pass of the afternoon-a laser shot to the midsection of rookie TE Rob Gronkowski. The defense stopped the Bears on their next drive, forcing a 36 yard punt which left the Patriots opening the second quarter on their own 13.  

Bad field position however, didn't prove to be an adequate challenge for the Patriots all day long, as the Bears had troubles even slowing down the offense all day.Guyton returns a fumble in the second quarter for a touchdown

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

In the second quarter, the Patriots went to work, scoring on five consecutive possessions (3 TD's and 2 FG's), including a 59 yard Brady to Branch throw for a touchdown to close out the half and send the home team to the locker room at the half down 34-0.  

Not only did the Bears have problems stopping their offense, they struggled in every phase of the game in front of a very cold and disappointed home crowd, losing two fumbles in this quarter and allowing one to score. They even allowed a return touchdown during the quarter-although that touchdown was called back due to a holding penalty away from the ball carrier.  

Basically, any which way you can give away a game, the Bears did—or at least, they tried to.

While one can be sure Coach Belichick and Brady's attitudes about taking the foot off the pedal when you're leading haven't changed; what did change was that they were now playing in potentially dangerous weather against a team with no real hope of winning the game and as such, Tom Brady eventually found his way out of the game early, allowing backup Brian Hoyer to take a few snaps for the first time this season.

As I wind down on this article, I find myself shocked that I somehow missed out on mentioning the performance of New England's gifted receiving corps, a group sporting two 100 yard receivers for the first time this season as Branch finished the game with 151 yards and a touchdown followed by Welker's 115 yards.  

Despite the weather and the presence of the beast that is Julius Peppers on the defensive line, the Patriots had no trouble moving the ball whether by arm or legs, or scoring the ball, whether by land, air or by d.

The Patriots return home next week to face an injury decimated Green Bay Packersteam that took another potentially serious hit today, losing Aaron Rodgers early in the game to his second concussion of the season and allowing the hapless Detroit Lionsto beat them in Detroit.  

Keep an eye on Rodgers' condition throughout the week, as his health is paramount to the Packers' success.  

A few notes for next week's game:

• With two more touchdown passes Tom Brady can take sole possession of 11th place on the all time list as he'll break his current tie with Fouts and pass Redskinslegend Sonny Jurgensen who had 255 in his career.  
• Coach Bill Belichick now has 174 wins, tied for 11th place all time with Mike Holmgren. If he can beat Holmgren's old team next week, he'll take sole possession of 11th place on the list.  
• Over the past two games, the Patriots have won by a collective 81-10 against two of the best defenses in the league. Green Bay ranks 10th in the league right now, and despite the presence of pro bowl players like Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson, they may just simply be Brady and Belichick's next victim.  
• In seven games against top-ten ranked defenses this year, Brady and the Patriots have averaged 33.5 points per game while the Packers are only averaging 24.7 points per game all year.
  
  
  
  
  Is 2010 the Beginning of the End for Randy Moss in New England?
  
  
  Randy Moss doesn't envision himself as a Patriot for very long-at least according to an interview he did following a recent charity softball game hosted by Heath Evans in Jupiter, Florida.
  Moss says that the Patriots "don't pay", and makes sure to add that he doesn't mean that in a negative manner. He goes on to say that this is just simply their way, they believe in their system and in bringing guys up through it. He says this is just the organizational philosophy, and that while there's no animosity on either end, he believes he'll be looking for a new team when his current contract runs out.
  Moss is probably right. In addition to Moss, both Matt Light and Tom Brady's contracts expire after next season (as well as a few other players of less consequence). When it comes down to it, resigning what will be a 34 year old receiver seems like it would be pretty far down the list of priorities-if it's on that list at all.
  Another factor that could be weighing in on the Patriots' decision at this time next year is the fact that the Free Agent market after the 2010 season is slated to be loaded down with talent at the WR position. With players like Anquan Boldin, Sidney Rice, and Santonio Holmes whose contracts are also expiring, if one was to spend big money on a WR, it seems logical that it wouldn't be Moss.  
  One sign that might be encouraging to Moss is that the Patriots seem to draft players that might fill the shoes of a player whose contract is about to expire (further evidence to support the system theory). Sebastian Vollmer and Ron Brace last year, perhaps in anticipation of Light and Wilfork wanting big money. With no WR in waiting to take his spot, no one with a similar skill set in the wings already on his way through the system, Moss may be the only option that is financially reasonable.
  As to how the Patriots' organizational philosophy applies to Tom Brady, Randy Moss said simply this: "if you ask me personally, I think that Tom Brady is going to be a New England Patriot". He went on to add "As for me I don't really know. I know I would like a new contract. I think I've done enough to earn a new contract". Unfortunately in the world of professional sports, it's not typically what you've done, but what those with the checkbooks believe you can do that earns you that contract.