THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 28, 1994 TAG: 9410280727
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Bob Molinaro
LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
A world view: An exhibition tour of Italy by the Charlotte Hornets brought back fond memories for former Old Dominion star Kenny Gattison, who played for a team based near Bologna for three months in 1989. ``We think America is the best place to live,'' he says. ``It's not. It's just the most convenient. There's no honor. In the U.S., the loyalty is to money. (In Italy), it's to family and friends. It's based on real things.''
Flying south: Don't believe the Redskins can win Sunday? Keep in mind that, in their last two games, the Philadelphia Eagles have gone back to their habit of playing down to the level of the competition.
No go: According to Charlotte Panthers executive Mark Richardson, Joe Gibbs has coached his last football game. ``He's living in Charlotte,'' says Richardson, ``and we've had a chance to talk with him. He's found out that there's a different way to live his life. He can't be at peace with himself if he gets back into coaching.'' All true, perhaps. But Joe still has time to change his mind.
Quick hit: Buddy Ryan gives cranky a bad name.
The great debate: The winner of the Colorado-Nebraska game should be No. 1. But if you care about the image of college football, cheer for Penn State.
In passing: Following the logic used by Steve McNair's Heisman campaign workers, a Division I-AA team should be eligible for the Associated Press Top 25 poll.
For what it's worth: Blame Redskins general manager Charlie Casserly for Desmond Howard, but it was Norv Turner who handpicked Heath Shuler.
TV timeout: Five days after following the exploits of Gus Frerotte on the tube, I'm still feeling the damaging effects of prolonged exposure to Fox football commentators Terry Bradshaw and Jerry Glanville.
Injury report: When All-Pro offensive lineman Eric Williams crashed his car, forcing the Dallas Cowboys to replace him for the rest of the season with a rookie, a silent, guilty cheer went up in San Francisco.
Headache: Troy Aikman's latest concussion recalls that a series of head injuries convinced former Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach to leave the game a little early.
Numbers game: Undefeated Duke has outscored its opponents in the first quarter, 72-0. If that doesn't change this week against Florida State, there ought to be an investigation.
The real score: Regardless of the outcome of the Florida State game, Duke is the big winner in the ACC, having graduated more football players over the last two years than any program in the nation.
Flag day: Only at Miami would a 17-penalty performance, like the Hurricanes had last week in blowing away West Virginia, be taken as a sign that the team is jelling.
Barely kicking: America is doing a good job of hiding its disappointment over news that Major League Soccer, the proposed offspring of the U.S. World Cup, won't get under way this spring as scheduled. Lack of investors and playing sites have let the air out of this trial balloon.
Idle thought: Atlanta Braves righthander Greg Maddux, winner of his third consecutive Cy Young Award, should get credit only for 2 1/2.
Short subject: Doug Flutie, tearing up the Canadian Football League for another season, has got to be better than some of the stiffs quarterbacking in the NFL.
Fright wig: Dennis Rodman's latest look is a cry for help. Or a new hairdresser.
A mixed message: ESPN can produce a serious report on the dangers of football's Post-Concussion Syndrome, but, at the same time, take great delight in showing weekly highlights of violent, brain-jarring hits. Talk about having it both ways. by CNB