Acorn

Issue date: 4/22/05 Section: Sports

1. Who is going to be the steal of the NFL draft this weekend?

BP: The steal of this draft will be former Florida State QB Adrian McPherson. The guy was the Rookie of the Year in the Arena League at age 20 last year. He was kicked out of FSU following a string of misunderstandings but he is being compared to John Elway and Michael Vick, in terms of arm strength and elusiveness, and has had better workouts than both Rodgers and Smith, the top two prospects at QB. He started at a premiere college program as a sophomore, he started (and won) in a professional football league, his intangibles are incredible and yet he's being targeted as a fourth or fifth rounder. He'll be an All-Pro one day, you wait and see.

LM: When it comes to fame, money and high draft picks, kickers get the raw end of the deal. But they're the guys who put the most points up on the board -- and win games. In particular, Mike Nugent of Ohio State puts up the most points and wins the most games. He can kick a 55-yarder and he's virtually perfect from 40 yards in. The franchise that picks up Nugent will be one lucky football team.

CD: The question is almost impossible to answer because you can't tell how a player is doing until about three years into their career. Still, I will say that the fact that Oklahoma's Mark Clayton is not expected to be in the Top 20 is very surprising to this sports guru. He'd be my pick for the "Why did that guy go so low?" award in five years.

AA: I will take this chance to express my support of not having high school kids in any major sports draft. This year, unlike the last few years, I think the best few players are not all QBs, which may be the best case for many teams. Too many years teams have drafted the big name QB only to have to trade them off a few years later. This year, the best bet is Ronnie Brown, running back from Auburn. He has proven that he can run and catch the ball, which is very important in the NFL. Having a strong RB has shown how it can open up the offense and allow other players to make big plays.

Ali the Ump: Two points for Picchierri. McPherson proved himself at the college level and in the pros. One point for Alonso. Brown will definitely be useful to whatever team chooses him.

2. Should Drew student-athletes absences for games be excused or unexcused?

AA: I am a firm believer that students learn as much outside the "traditional classroom" as they do within. So, it would be logical to say that playing a sport gives a person outstanding self-growth and educational advancement. Playing a sport at any collegiate level requires a person to manage their time and gain an appreciation of winning and losing among other important skills. Additionally, those playing on team sports must continue being team players and advance their ability to be part of a unit working towards a common goal. Therefore, the short answer to the question is that I think absences should be excused.

BP: Senior Kevin Dinkel has played baseball here for four years now. Last Wednesday, he was forced to miss a game because he had used up all his excused absences. He'll miss a few more in the coming weeks because of Drew's "policy."

Why is it fair that only students with a favorable schedule can play in these games? If this were a serious athletic university, games are always excused because a good athletic department knows how to schedule games around classes -- and care about their school's sports. Dinkel -- and the rest of the Drew athletes -- just happens to be unlucky in that regard.

LM: Let's think about this: Student-athletes spend two hours every day practicing for a game. They spend less than half that preparing for a class period. Student-athletes miss a game and there are consequences: The team falls apart, they ruin their play-off chances and the season goes down the drain. Student miss a class and nothing happens: They get the notes from their friends and turn in their papers a couple hours late. Student-athletes should absolutely get excused absences for games. For that matter, Acorn writers should also get excused absences ...

CD: Many will make the point that you're in college to learn, but if the games are scheduled during classtime, what choice do the athletes have? Drew student-athletes should be able to miss class for games, no matter how often, provided they make up the work that they miss. If they have to miss a test, they should be allowed to take it a day prior or a day later. Student-athletes make huge sacrifices, and at this school, they don't get very much appreciation and even less glory. A little understanding from the professors should be a given.

Ali the Ump: Two points for Moss. The absences should be excused. At least when the student-athletes miss, they are participating in an athletic contest, as opposed to just plain old skipping. One point for Daniels. Student-athletes do make huge sacrifices, so why not reward them by letting them miss a class for a game?

3. Which team is going to take it all in the NBA playoffs?

AA: For the first time in years, the Eastern Conference actually has a few teams that can compete for the championship. Any prediction would need to include Miami, but you can't discount Detroit or Indiana for that matter. The Western Conference naturally has several of the powerhouses with San Antonio, Dallas, Phoenix and Seattle. But when it comes down to it, having Tim Duncan has to give you the edge, so I would predict Miami and San Antonio in the finals with Miami pulling it out.

LM: San Antonio has Duncan's height, Parker's handle, Ginobli's creativity and Horry's experience. They've also got a 59-22 record and the Southwest Division title to their name. Coming out of the Western Conference, they've faced tough competition all year and will be ready come crunch time.

BP: Say what you will about star players and high scorers, but the thing about basketball is that it's a team sport. The Phoenix Suns are the best team in these playoffs. They finished with the best record in the hardest conference, and are riding high on the shoulders of their two MVP candidates -- Amare Stoudamire and Steve Nash. Lump them together with Joe Johnson, Quentin Richardson, Shawn Marion and a solid bench, and you've got a world champion for this year.

CD: The chic pick may be the Heat, but I'm going with the bland pick and taking the San Antonio Spurs. Tim Duncan is back. Tony Parker may not be Dwyane Wade, but he's a competent, playoff-savvy point guard. Sure, Shaq is Shaq, and he is motivated for the first time in about three seasons, but I see the Spurs edging out the Heat in the Finals in seven games, thanks to Duncan and Parker.

Ali the Ump: Two points for Picchierri. The Suns have the most complete all-around team. One point for Daniels. With Tim Duncan back, the Spurs are going to be hard to compete with.

4. Who is the best natural all-around athlete at Drew -- male or female?

CD: Well folks, when in doubt, go with the most stocked trophy case, and uber-athlete Colleen Mahon takes the cake in that department. Whether in field hockey or softball (two sports that require distinctly different skills), Mahon has been excelling since freshman year, and it's a shame that the athletic program will lose her when she graduates in May.

AA: In all honesty, I think Drew has some amazing athletes (with minimal athletic skills, I must respect all who put on a uniform and compete). If I needed to pick one athlete I would have go with Colleen Mahon. The fact that she was able to become an All-American and play two sports is impressive. But, I say that with much admiration for many Drew athletes.

LM: Besides Ali Robbins and myself, Alex Weber-Reitz is the best all-around female athlete at Drew and the best athlete compared to the rest of her gender. Weber isn't the franchise player on either of her teams - women's soccer or women's lacrosse. But she's a solid asset on defense in both, providing valuable minutes making a name for herself with ability and effort. So you ask, what's so special about her? Weber picked up both sports her sophomore year. Before February, she had never touched a lacrosse stick in her life. Before August, she had been out of soccer for over a year. Still, the speedy defender shuts down attackers like a pro and burns her own teammates in sprints. Not many people can do that.

BP: I don't think there is a more athletic person on this campus than men's lacrosse dynamo Mike DeLoretto. The junior has tried it all here at Drew -- helping the men's tennis team to a conference title his freshman year, and now becoming a role player on a talented lacrosse team, his first season in the sport. Other than varsity teams, you'll be hard-pressed to find a more talented pick-up basketball player on campus (I know from experience). The guy is the alpha-male in my eyes ...

Ali the Ump: Two points for Moss. Weber never picked up a lacrosse stick in her life and made the transition from high school soccer player to collegiate player after taking a year off. One point for Daniels. Mahon has shown her natural athletic abilities in two different sports during her playing career at Drew.

Picchierri and Moss tie for first with 4 points, while Daniels finishes right behind them with 3 points. Alonso finishes in the distance with 1 point.

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