Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 6, 1994 TAG: 9405060031
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The NFL draft isn't a perfect science, especially on the offensive line. Virginia Tech's All-America center, Jim Pyne, wasn't picked until the sixth round, by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That may be disappointing to Pyne and mean a smaller contract, but it's hardly career-damaging.
Pyne should have a long and solid career. An offensive lineman plays with strength, smarts and technique. Pyne has those ingredients. Consider that four of the two-time Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys' top six offensive linemen were picked in the sixth round or lower.
The Washington Redskins' new center, former Cowboy John Gesek, was a 10th-rounder. Jim Lachey is the only Redskins lineman in recent years who was picked higher than the sixth round. Now retired, Joe Jacoby and Jeff Bostic were undrafted free agents; they combined to play 27 seasons. Pro Football Hall of Famers Jim Langer and Larry Little of the Miami Dolphins weren't drafted, either.
On another front, after detailed research, the NFL has determined that if Pyne makes the Buccaneers' squad, he will not be the first third-generation player in the league's 75-year history. He will be the second.
It happened 14 years ago. Chicago Bears fullback Matt Suhey completed the triple from 1980-89. His dad, Steve, was a Pittsburgh Steelers guard in 1948-49. Matt's maternal grandfather, Robert Higgins, was an end with the Canton Bulldogs in the first two NFL seasons, 1920-21.
Former VMI receiver Mark Stock, who was on the inactive list for 13 of the Redskins' 16 games last season, will have a very tough time making the team this year, despite "The Posse" having ridden into the sunset. That's because new coach Norv Turner's offense features a two-back set with two wide receivers.
The first four receivers figure to be starters Henry Ellard and Desmond Howard, with rookie Tydus Winans and Stephen Hobbs as backups. With the 'Skins needing more depth at running back and help on defense, Stock will battle to make the club in training camp - again - and only as a special teams star.
The college football magazines won't reach newsstands until mid-June, but Virginia Tech will have its best preseason showing. The Hokies are picked 14th nationally by Football News, No. 22 by Athlon and 25th by The Sporting News. Tech is picked second in the Big East by Athlon, behind Miami, and third behind Miami and West Virginia by The Sporting News. Hokies quarterback Maurice DeShazo is ranked seventh among the nation's quarterbacks. That seems a bit low, considering DeShazo's play as a junior on last year's 9-3 team.
Is it any wonder there's an identity crisis on the PGA Tour? The 17 tour stops this year have been won by 17 golfers. Dating to David Frost's back-to-back victories in September, 24 golfers have won the last 24 tour events.
Forty-two golfers have top-three finishes this year. Loren Roberts is ranked second on the money list.
The LPGA Tour isn't much different. The only double winner among the women this year is Lynchburg's Donna Andrews.
Second base is one of the toughest positions from which to make the Baseball Hall of Fame, but Lou Whitaker, from Martinsville, is more than a legitimate candidate. The Detroit Tigers infielder, 37 next week, and Hall of Famer Joe Morgan are the only second-sackers in history with 2,000 games, 2,000 hits and 200 homers. His 1,010 career RBI rank eighth among second basemen all-time. There are 10 second basemen in the shrine at Cooperstown, N.Y.
Here's a chilling thought: Game 7 of the World Series at Fenway Park on the night of Oct. 30.
Dallas fired Quinn Buckner because he was too tough on the miserable Mavericks millionaires. That's why it's hard to imagine University of Cincinnati coach Bob Huggins guiding the Los Angeles Lakers, as has been rumored. Huggins is a good coach, but screaming doesn't last long in the NBA.
Mexican Raul Alcala's win in the 2.98-mile Tour DuPont prologue Wednesday could be very telling. Three of the past four prologue winners have won the nation's premier cycling event, and Alcala finished second in the prologue last May, then won the Tour.
Write to Jack Bogaczyk at the Roanoke Times & World-News, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, 24010.
by CNB