THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 31, 1997 TAG: 9701310757
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Bob Molinaro
LENGTH: 64 lines
Time minder: Somebody in the media went to the trouble of putting a stopwatch on the Super Bowl, and discovered that the ball was in play for a total of about 16 minutes. This is around 10 minutes less than the length of the tasteful, understated halftime show.
Not a re-Pete: Though the Super Bowl was dedicated to Pete Rozelle, what would the late commissioner have thought of the halftime acts? With Rozelle in charge, the Super Bowl was noted for its saccharine entertainment - remember the cloying ``Up With People''? This year, ZZ Top didn't seem to fit the Rozelle model. Neither did James Brown, a former jailbird. Maybe this opens the door for the next Super Bowl to bring in Tonya Harding and O.J. Simpson to sing a duet.
As the world turns: A month ago, ODU coach Jeff Capel was riding high, while Duke guard Jeff Capel struggled. For the time being, the fortunes of father and son are reversed.
Yesterday and today: The players may be bigger, faster and more tattooed, but some things about basketball haven't changed. Take the Chicago Bulls' triangle offense. It's been around since the ball had stitches.
Futurewatch: The NBA have-nots can't wait until the Tim Duncan raffle. For what it's worth, the team with the worst record has been awarded the first pick only twice in 12 lotteries.
Overmatched: Jermaine O'Neal, the Portland Trail Blazers' struggling high school project, now admits that he should have tried college. ``There's a lot of other things other than basketball you have to deal with,'' says the teen. Day-to-day life, for instance.
Apron strings: Kulthida Woods, Tiger's mom, says any prospective wife of her son must undergo a background check and sign a prenuptial agreement.
Catch the fever: Ratings for Fox's telecast of the NHL All-Star game were down 32 percent from last year, making it the lowest rated show on TV last week.
Idle thought: Jim Kelly isn't really retiring; he's weighing his options until it's time for a comeback.
Calling an audible: Word is that Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning is more likely to enter the NFL draft if he thinks he'll go to a Jets team coached by Bill Parcells.
Playhouse: As part of Roger Clemens' deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, his kids, ages 10, 8 and 2, have a locker next to dad's in the SkyDome clubhouse.
Next on the list: After breaking their seven-game losing streak against North Carolina, Duke's Blue Devils are still stuck with their nine-game drought against Wake Forest.
Perspective: Citizens of ACC Territory may see nothing wrong with it, but fans from other parts of the country must be sick of hearing Dick Vitale call the Duke-North Carolina rivalry the greatest in college basketball. Regional passions aren't easily transferred to a national audience.
Fresh start: New pitching coach Ray Miller should make a difference with the Orioles. This winter, he's visited Mike Mussina in Montourville, Pa., to help the pitcher with his mechanics, and to get their relationship off on the right foot.
Furry things: For the 2000 Olympics, Sydney is trotting out three mascots, but not one is a kangaroo or koala. Too cliched, say the Aussies, who have come up with the duck billed platypus, the echidna (think anteater), and the kookaburra. I'd suggest one more - a shrimp on the barbie.
Name game: A talking head for ESPN recently referred to University of Minnesota basketball star Sam Jacobson as ``The Jewish Jordan.'' Jacobson was embarrassed, but not for the reason you think. Seems he's Catholic.