Archive for October, 2009

For the first time since 1934, a Lowellville High School Sports team has advanced to the Ohio State finals to compete for a championship.  The Lowellville Golf Team, coached by Tom Pilkington, is only in its eighth season as an existing program.  Naturally, the first five years were a slow progression from worse to better.  The team failed to win a match in its first three years of competition.  Pilkington has turned the program around as the Rockets have recently won their third straight league title.

The actual team is comprised of Anthony Alfano, Mauro Amendola, Ray Carlson, Joey Smith, and Tyler Vitas.  The format for high school league play is to have five golfers play a round.  The top four scores are used as a team total and the team posting the lowest score will win.  The alternate player is Dean Donatelli.  An alternate is used if one of the five starters are unable to compete for whatever reason.

The finals will be played on Friday and Saturday, October 16-17 in Columbus on the private Scarlet Course. The Rockets home course is Bedford Trails in Lowellville.  Bedford Trails has pretty much revitalized interest in local golf over the past several years.

Good Luck to the Rocket Linksters this weekend! 

At a school notorius for running the ball, an exceptional receiver rarely makes headway.  Donald Jones is the first exception to the norm at Youngstown State that I can recall since Jimmy “The Flea” Ferranti played at YSU about 30 years ago.  Jones is being watched by NFL scouts at every game.  He has been electrifying all season long and his work ethic is unmatched.  I would credit his off the field preparation for his Saturday success.  In a 17-7 loss Saturday, he tied the record at YSU for most catches in a game with 11.  Showing his true colors at the postgame press conference, Jones said the record was not very enjoyable because the team did not win.  Probably as humble and unselfish of a guy that there is, I sat and talked with Jones about his present, past, and potential future.

Paneech: Being one of 12 seniors, how important is it for you to lead by example?

Jones: It’s real important to lead by example as both a senior and a captain, but really, we need the whole team to lead by example.  Hopefully, everybody from freshmen to seniors step up because we need leaders at every position and in every group.

Paneech: I was sitting next to a Philadelphia Eagles scout who was here looking at you Saturday.  Do you know when they are coming and how does it effect your performance?

Jones: I guess I kind of hope that a scout is at every game.  I try not to pay attention to it.  I have to go out and perform if they are there or not to help this team win.

Paneech: Talk about how special this offense can be with all of the veterans at skill positions.

Jones: This offense can be very special with all of the veterans that we have.  We have to just go out there and make it happen on Saturdays.  We did not get the job done last weekend, but we need to change that this coming weekend.

Paneech: Walk me through gameday, from the time you wake up until you go to sleep.

Jones: I usually wake up real early on the day of a game even though I can’t sleep the night before.  Then I take a shower and go to walk-throughs we have if it’s a night game.  We then have our team meal.  After that I go to the stadium and the first thing I do is pray, then start warming up.  After that, I listen to a little music and then we hit the field for the game.  What I do after the game usually depends on the result.  If my family comes in, I hang out with them, win or lose.  If they are not here, I usually like to go home and just watch more college games on TV.

Paneech: Why communications as a major?

Jones: I like the speech classes.  I want to be a coach when I get done playing so it is good practice of learning how to talk in front of people. 

Paneech: Having been here for a few years, do you still get homesick?

Jones: Not really.  Even when I was at my other shool [Lackawana CC], I was only two hours away from home, and I never really went back just so I would be prepared for when I went further away.  I never really got homesick.

Paneech: Can Donald Jones play in the NFL?

Jones: We hope so.

Paneech:  Tell me about #81, and how you ended up with it, are you a T.O. fan?

Jones: It has nothing to do with T.O. (laughs).  I’m a Giants fan, so I would never do anything that T.O. does.  That was just the number they gave me, I always wanted to wear #10 which is what I wore in high school.  Ten was my favorite number but they handed me 81 so I stuck with it.

Paneech:  What other schools recruited you out of Plainfield (NJ) High School ?

Jones: Almost every school on the East Coast.  I committed to Wisconsin which did not go through because my grades weren’t good enough.  I ended up going to Lackawana CC Junior College.  Coming out of JuCo, I ended up selecting Ole’ Miss, but the coaching staff was fired so I selected Youngstown State.

Paneech:  Was the move to junior college the right move for you in the long run?

Jones: I’m real happy I made the move to Lackawana [Junior College].  The coach over there changed my whole mindset and ways of thinking for the better.  I got my grades up while I was there and I feel that if I would have went to a big school that I may have ended up there anyway.

Paneech: When you played high school baseball, what position did you play and what kind of batting average did you have?

Jones: I played centerfield and shortstop and I don’t remember my batting average.  I had like six home runs during my senior year. 

Paneech:  Talk about the toughness of the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

Jones: It’s a real tough conference.  Every team that we play is tough and it seems like when these other teams play Youngstown State, they play extra-tough.

One Word Answers

Favorite NFL Team:  New York Giants.

Favorite NFL Player:  Anquan Boldin.

Favorite Sport To Play Besides Football:  Baseball.

Favorite Sport To Watch Besides Football:  Basketball.

Favorite Toppings On A Pizza:  Pepperoni.

Best Show On TV:  Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Best Way To Spend A Day Off:  Sleep.

Funniest Movie Ever Made:  Bad Boys 2.

Best Fast Food Restaurant:  McDonalds.

Worst Class Ever Taken Here At YSU:  Writing Class.

Favorite Musician of All-Time:  Luther Vandross.

Best Thing About Youngstown:  The fans!

Now that the Indians have removed Eric Wedge from managerial duties, the search is on.  It has been widely assumed that nobody currently managing at a different level within the Indians system will be promoted.  This leaves a couple of hard choices for management.  I figured I would add my two cents (in case the great Mark Shapiro googles his name and hits this article) to post choices which would merit strong consideration.  Without hesitation, here are my top candidates to manage the Cleveland Indians:

#1. Reuben Kincaid

For all of my younger readers who have no idea, Reuben Kincaid managed The Partridge Family.  He propelled the Partridge’s to the top of the charts in the 1970’s.  He even has experience keeping eyesore Danny Partridge (Danny Bonaduce) in line.  If you hire Kincaid, you also gain a bench coach in Shirley Jones.  The only drawback on the Kincaid proposal would be having to suffer through “I Think I Love You” instead of “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” for the 7th-inning stretch.

#2. Captain Lou Albano

Why not bring in Captain Lou Albano?  He has managed champions throughout his career.  If he can keep The Wild Samoans and George “The Animal” Steele under control, why would he struggle with Kerry Wood or Travis Hafner?  Pro wrestling and baseball are about neck-in-neck on the steroid abuse charts, it would be a magical fit.  The Indians may have to allow facial rubber banding, but what a small price to pay for someone with such a brilliant track record.

#3. Pete Rose

The legalization of casino gambling is a hot topic in the State of Ohio these days.  Some argue that they hate seeing the tax dollars earned go to surrounding states that Ohioans are frequenting.  By bringing in Pete Rose, you would have a win-win situation regardless of what happens to the proposed gaming legislation.  Someone has to bet on the Indians, why not Pete?  The bookies are dying for a fish to start betting consistently on the Tribe.  Yeah he may concede every third game by chewing up his bullpen to win some money but people know he would be firing on his own team causing a contagious reaction to betting on Cleveland to win.

#4.  Sir George Martin

This guy was able to make Beatles albums without the Beatles around each other.  He and his son then remix everything 40 years later and are making a killing in Vegas on the “improved” product.  Why don’t the Indians owners take a chance on Sir George Martin coming in to ‘remix’ the Indians?  Teach Grady Sizemore how to throw a curve, show Kelly Shoppach how to be the cutoff man on a single to right, work with Jensen Lewis on stealing second.  Remix things.  Could it be worse than it was most of this past season?

#5. LeBron James

This may be the most realistic choice on the menu.  Think about it.  He is now wearing #6 because he wanted to change things up.  He won a gold medal wearing #6, he is now #6 for the Cavs.  Braylon Edwards punches his little buddy and ends up in New York.  LeBron was instrumental, intentional or not,  in getting Braylon sent away.  It is probably a blessing for Cavs fans that Edwards is a jet.  The only bad scenario would be if LeBron went to New York after the season ended, he may order the Jets to ship Edwards back to Cleveland. 

The Indians can use that kind of stroke.  If you don’t think James has more power in Cleveland than anyone else than you are naive.  He pretty much dictates what the Cavs do, he is now dictating what the Browns do.  Hell, give him all of the keys to the city, let him say what the Indians should do too. 

The 2009 MLB Playoffs sure pose some interesting scenarios.  A potential Boston vs New York ALCS, an all-L.A. world series, who can cool off the red hot Twins, the wisdom and leadership of Joe Torre vs Tony LaRussa, the thin air of Colorado, and pitching.  P-I-T-C-H-I-N-G…  Whoever has it is going to keep advancing, whoever does not get it can start priming the snowmobiles now.

Twins vs Yankees

Depending on how long the Twins were out partying or not CC Sabathia should dominate Game 1.  The Twins trot out their rookie Brian Duensing as the lamb in this one.  However, the unpredictable AJ Burnett and the predictable Andy Petitte are pitching games 2 and 3 for the Yanks.  If the wrong Burnett shows up and Petitte throws his normal game, the Yanks could be in a 2-1 hole.

The Twins are just hot enough to start a descent, in this case, a season-ending fall.  The Yankees know that Jeter is a gamer in the postseason and A-Rod struggles.  Mark Teixera will make a difference and Nick Swisher will have one of those unlikely big games in leading the Yanks to the ALCS.

Yankees over Twins: 3 -1

Rockies vs Phillies

Pitching is really going to push the Phillies in the playoffs.  Cliff Lee gets the call for game one.  Cole Hamels gets game two.  That should be enough for a 2-0 Phillies lead.  They haven’t even announced a starter for game three yet but it won’t be Jamie Moyer.  The offense has been sluggish at times, but Jimmy Rollins is a big-game guy and Ryan Howard is always a threat.  Shane Victorino also knows how to turn it up in the postseason.

Yay Rockies!  You made it to the dance again!  Unfortunately for Colorado, Jorge De La Rosa (16 wins) isn’t active for the series due to injury.  This puts all of the pressure on Ubaldo Jimenez.  If Jimenez gets two starts and Colorado can grind out another win somewhere, they could stun the Phillies.  Don’t hold your breath.  Jimenez will walk a few guys in game one.

Phillies over Rockies: 3-1

Cardinals vs Dodgers

This series will be more of a chess match between the two best managers in baseball, Joe Torre and Tony LaRussa.  Unfortunately, LaRussa has a lethal queen (Pujols) and not many other pieces on offense.  With Clayton Kershaw limping down the stretch and Vicente Padilla’s unpredictability, the pitching edge would have to go to St. Louis.  However, I am not so sure that the Cards can muster enough offense to win.  Look for many close and low-scoring games in this series.  Manny Ramirez might play a role in games one and two, but I look for the Cards to handle him with care if they get burned once.

St. Louis over LA Dodgers: 3-2

Red Sox vs Angels

Perhaps the toughest series to break down, the pitching favors Boston and the offense favors the Angels.  However, the Angels pitching is capable of throwing shutouts and the Red Sox offense can score 13 runs in a game.  Josh Beckett has a reputation for throwing his best stuff in postseason competition.  If the series goes 5 games, Beckett gets two starts.  If Lester or Buchholz can squeeze a win, I think Boston will prevail.

This will also serve as Kendry Morales’ national stardom party.  I expect Morales to hit like crazy throughout the series.  I just don’t feel he will get much help. 

Boston over LA: 3-2 in a coin flip

Everyone reading this knows who the guy in the middle is.  The other two guys are probably the best at what they do in Youngstown.  The man on the right is Dana Balash, WFMJ Sports.  Dana has been covering Youngstown area sports for a long time and people will not get sick of him because he has an obvious passion for what he is doing.  Balash is the go to guy for area sports.  Maybe I am biased because of his longevity, but to sit in a press conference when he is present is like going to school.  He asks the right questions. 

The gentleman on the left is Joe Scalzo, who I have stolen (and credited) information from concerning Kelly Pavlik on this website.  Scalzo recently ran in the Peace Race this past Sunday and finished 11th in his age bracket.  Sitting next to Scalzo at a few Scrappers games has been rewarding in many ways.  He is the most genuine person I have met in all media so far.  Joe has a firm grip on the boxing beat, but his true colors shine in Thursday editions of The Vindicator when he does his high school footbal rap.  Scalzo’s style is so genuine because he uses real life situations such as stories about his wife, personal texts he has received from a coach for not picking the local team to win, or just raving about a bands halftime performance from an obscure Columbiana County school. 

Here are some stories from other great sites:

• Vindy.com publshed Scalzo’s rendition of running the race Sunday, going back to run the last mile with his wife, and being satisfied with a reputable finish.  If you read this you will know why I am such a big fan of Joe Scalzo.
• Josh Q. Public draws a unique comparison of what it feels like for a Packers fan to watch Brett Favre as a Viking against what it felt like for Red Sox fans to watch Roger Clemens pitch for the Yankees.
• Detroit4Lyfe has video of Pistons rookie Austin Daye hustling back on defense to block a shot of D Wade’s in what should have been an easy lay-up.
• The Cage Doctors present 11 of the bloodiest MMA photos I have ever seen.
• PSAMP has visual proof that the WWE Divas looked pretty good in Steeler stuff on RAW last night.
• Buster Sports tracks the recruitment of college basketball star-to-be Harrison Barnes with neat plane tracking graphics.
• Not Qualified To Comment found some pretty cool footage of Johnny Knox returning a kickoff for a TD Sunday.  Watch the video closely as the ballboy keeps up with Knox for several yards.
• NESW Sports has video of Kobe Bryant shutting up Derek Rose. 
• Babes Love Baseball writer Sooze is going to the Twins vs Tigers one game playoff today in Minnesota.  Sooze writes about why 162 games are just not enough.

Youngstown State (3-2, 1-1) hosts Western Illinois (1-3, 0-1) in an almost must-win game for both teams this Saturday.  The Missouri Valley Football Conference seems balanced with an exception at the bottom (Indiana State), and a couple of great teams so far (S. Illinois, N. Iowa) at the top.  All of the teams in the middle of the MVC could end up beating each other up all year.  With one loss each, either team could still win the conference championship if they run the table. 

Youngstown State lost to Missouri State, 17-7, in a game that was decided by big plays and bigger miscues.  To drive for 16 plays and 90 yards and come away with no points can be disheartening to a team like Youngstown State.  The game could have easily been won by ten points minus three mistakes.  Those three mistakes were a high snap on a field goal attempt that prevented YSU kicker Stephen Blose to have a clean attempt, converting on fourth-and-inches on Missouri State’s five yard line, and controlling turnovers.  There are not many teams who can overcome four turnovers, a blocked field goal, and getting stuffed deep in the opponents red zone who would only lose by ten points.  I guess that is the best way to take a positive out of last week’s game.

Western Illinois lost to Southern Illinois, 30-10, last week.  When WIU scored a TD in the second quarter, they cut the SIU lead to 14-10, but would get no closer as the Salukis rattled off three field goals and a touchdown to seal a victory.  The Leathernecks have a legitimate deep-threat wide receiver in Lito Senatus.  Senatus caught six passes for 45 yards against Southern, but more impressively, has 30 catches for 435 yards in four games.  Western Illinois will try to run the ball with traditional power formations, a trademark of their teams for years.  However, they will throw a three receiver set in from time-to-time, something new and not seen frequently in the past.

Youngstown State has won the last 5 games against Western Illinois, with four of those contests being decided by seven points or less.  This weeks game marks the 25th meeting between the two schools with YSU victorious 14 times and WIU the winner 10 times.  Last year, YSU won a hard fought 31-28 game in Macomb to end the season.

Coach Jon Heacock looks for his team to roar back coming off of last weeks loss.  “We played outstanding at times.  We had a goal-line stand.  We drive it sixteen plays, and it ends with a turnover.  We went into the game leading the conference in turnover margin.  We turned the ball over 4 times and no longer lead the conference but have slipped down to fourth or fifth.”

Senior WR Aaron Pitts commented on the loss.  “We are definitely upset and embarrassed with our performance Saturday.  We really want to come back strong and get the next one.” 

Senior DL Crispin Fernandez alerted the media that the team is not looking back, but rather ahead.  “We seemed ready.  We did the same things we usually do to get ready.  We were not able to get pressure on the QB because they were picking up our twists and stunts.  We can get to the quarterback this week if we prepare right.”

Penguin Notes

• Senior WR Donald Jones played well in the loss as he tied a school record by having 11 catches in a game.  I sat next to a Philadelphia Eagles scout who was impressed with the effort Jones provided.
• YSU has lost seven consecutive games in October dating back to the 2007 season.
• Youngstown State has 8 interceptions in five games.  Last season they only had 12 in 12 games.
• Eric Rodemoyer has received the Penguins’ Offensive Lineman of The Game award in all four of his starts.  Rodemoyer is a transfer from West Virginia.
• Dominique Barnes is averaging 12.4 yards per catch, best on the team with 5 or more catches.

Welcome to Youngstown seemed to be a theme for area sports teams on Saturday.  Youngstown State’s football team gave one away to Missouri State.  USHL newcomer, the Youngstown Phantoms, also played the role of cordial host after coughing up a 2-0 lead and losing 6-2 to the Indiana Ice.  It was the first game of the new franchise’s inaugural season.

Brett Gensler and Joseph Zarbo scored first period goals to give the Phantoms a 2-0 lead going into the first intermission.  Indiana then ripped off six unanswered goals over the next two periods.

The Phantoms really struggled on a couple of power play opportunities in the third period.  In fact, the puck was in their own zone more than their opponents in the last two PP chances. 

Coach Bob Mainhardt was dejected and vowed to never see this type of contagious play again.  “We know it is a long season and we have to stick to the gameplan and come together as a team.  Overall, we played an undisciplined game.  Undisciplined penalties, undisciplined in our systems, and undisciplined in our work ethic.  We won’t be embarrassed like this at home again.”

The Phantoms head West to face the Des Moines Buccaneers on Friday and then head back East a bit for a next night game at Chicago.  Both games can be heard on AM-1240 with Matt Gajtka calling the action.

About the only cooperative factor in Saturdays Youngstown State football game was the weather.  The Penguins (3-2, 1-1) shot themselves in the foot several times and ultimately lost, 17-7, to Missouri State (3-2, 1-1).  Missed opportunities proved to be the difference in the game.  A blocked field goal, a failed 4th-and-1 on the Bears 5-yard line, and three uncharacteristic Brandon Summers interceptions proved to spell the fate of YSU in the loss.

The Missouri State offense didn’t take very long to get on the board.  All-American Tight End Clay Harbor hauled in a 52-yard touchdown pass from Cody Kirby to put the Bears up 7-0.  The drive, which only consisted of four plays, covered 64 yards in 1:26 with the big blow of 52 yards.  Sir Demarco Bledsoe almost knocked the pass down but missed on his swat.

After YSU went three-and-out, the Bears struck again, but this time only got three to extend the lead to 10-0 with 6:57 left in the first.  On the drive, Kirby found Jonathan Davis for a 57-yard completion.  Matt Hottelman connected from 25 for the three-pointer.  YSU dodged a bullet as Missouri State had the ball 2nd and goal on the YSU one, but were unable to convert.

YSU took the next kickoff all the way out to their own 49.  Brandon Summers went to work with a 25-yard gainer to Dominique Barnes, a 16-yarder to Donald Jones, and another 10-yarder to Barnes.  After a couple of runs and a penalty, YSU had a 4th and less-than-one at Missouri State’s five-yard line.  Summers tried to sneak for the needed yardage for a new set of downs but was stuffed and YSU turned the ball over on downs.  Missouri State took over on downs and ran a few plays before the first quarter ended with YSU trailing 10-0.

YSU got on the board with 3:34 left in the second quarter when Summers found Donald Jones for a 32-yard touchdown.  Dana Brown had 4 rushes for 23 yards on the 11 play drive that covered a total of 76 yards.  On the TD, Summers had all day and Jones kept running until Summers found him in the corner for a great hookup to make the score 10-7 in favor of Missouri State.

With Missouri State driving and under a minute to go in the half, Lenny Wicks made a remarkable one handed jumping interception to keep the Bears out of the end zone and the half ended with Missouri State leading Youngstown State 10-7.

Youngstown State took the second half kickoff.  Kevin Smith coughed up the ball and it would be costly as Missouri State drove 36 yards in seven plays and would cash in on a 4-yard jaunt from Jonathan Davis to take a 17-7 lead with 11:36 left in the third quarter.

YSU moved the ball somewhat effectively on their next drive.  The drive was ended when Stephen Blose attempted a 37-yard field goal which was blocked by Waylon Richardet to give Missouri State the ball back on their own 35.  Richardet was dominant on defense all day for the Bears.

The third quarter ended with Missouri State on top 17-7.

Richardet stopped another YSU drive single-handedly when he picked off a tipped Summers pass.  YSU was in a third-and-goal at Missouri State’s 4-yard line when Summers threw his third pick of the evening.  This drive, the third of its kind in the game, covered 90 yards and resulted in nothing on the scoreboard for the Penguins. 

YSU could not stop Missouri State after the turnover.  The Bears were obviously trying to run some of the clock down, and YSU would give up a couple of yards on runs, yet the Bears converted twice on third-and long situations to take more than 5 minutes off of the game clock.  The Penguins finally successfully stopped the Bears and got the ball back with 2:24 left in the game and no timeouts.

The Penguins were unable to score and could not convert when they had to in this game.  A blocked field goal, three interceptions and a failed fourth and inches in the first quarter ultimately spelled doom for YSU as they fell 17-7 to the Bears.

For the Penguins, Kevin Smith rushed for 80 yards on 16 carries.  Dana Brown added 72 yards in 15 carries.  Donald Jones tied a school record with 11 catches for 130 yards and a TD.  Dominique Barnes had 9 catches for 113 yards and finished the game with 169 all-purpose yards.  Summers finished 23 of 39 for 251 yards, a touchdown, and the three interceptions.

Missouri State was led by QB Cody Kirby who finished the game 19-28 for 252 yards with a TD and a pick.  Clay Harbor had 6 catches for 106 yards.  Jonathan Davis finished with 118 all-purpose yards.

After the game, a very disappointed Jon Heacock addressed the loss.  “Missouri State came in and played hard.  They played like their life was on the line, give them credit, they played like crazy.  They were able to pressure us with three and four guys and we were not able to pressure them when we were sending six.”

Heacock also commented on the team being able to bounce back next week.  “If they have got any courage and competitiveness, they’ll be up.  I think our team does.  It’s not going to be easy.  We better buckle up.  If they have any red blood cells they’ll be competitive.”

Mychal Savage addressed the media after the game and took the loss particularly hard.  Having interviewed Savage this past week, I got a vibe that he is the pulse of this defense, the leader.  “I personally feel like tonight I let my team down.  I feel like I owe these guys one and that they deserve more from me.  I feel like I could have did more for this team, and I didn’t do it.”   This particular statement was delivered from the heart and I really feel for Savage.  He is putting way too much blame on himself though.  It is just his nature to assume responsibility for his group during a bad time, the mark of a true leader.  Mad respect for him.

YSU goes back to work in preparation for their Missouri Valley Conference game against Western Illinois Saturday.  The game is set for a 6:00 kickoff.

Relax readers, it’s not a beauty contest, it’s hockey in Youngstown.  Ryan Jasinsky (pictured) has already achieved a level of success a USHL player wishes for.  Jasinsky was invited to Washington Capitals camp to work out and strut his stuff.  The beat-up look Jasinsky is sporting in the above picture was a result of a fight in last weekend’s exhibition game.  I recently had the pleasure of meeting Ryan and discussing everything from Kimbo Slice to Alexander Ovechkin.

Paneech: How has Youngstown been to you so far?

RJ:  It’s been great, I enjoy it alot.  I’ve had fun hanging out with the guys and going everywhere, it’s a great town.  All of the people seem nice and I haven’t had any problems with anybody. 

Paneech:  Talk about your trip to Washington and how you got the opportunity to participate in workouts with the Caps.

RJ:  Last year they [Washington] scouted me and invited me to rookie camp.  I went to rookie camp with all of the prospects and did really well.  I had a really good rookie game against the Flyers, played really well and had a fight there.  They were impressed enough to ask me to go to camp, and after a couple of weeks they sent me back.  They are definitely going to be looking at me this year and down the road something could happen with them.

Paneech:  When you say something could happen, does that mean they may draft you?

RJ:  Yeah, they could draft me or invite me back to camp next year. 

Paneech:  Tell me what went through your head when you got on the ice with Alexander Ovechkin.

RJ:  Obviously you are a little shocked when you are watching him.  When you get out there with him though, he is just another guy you are playing against.  He’s an unreal individual, person and hockey player.

Paneech:  Why do you follow MMA so closely?

RJ:  My uncle is in the military and he does stuff like that.  I know alot of guys back home, some SEALS, and other military guys who get out of the military and do stuff like that.  I got into it that way.  It’s the conditioning, the exercise, and making yourself into a machine that appealed.

Paneech:  Kimbo Slice or Big Country?  (which happened the night I was interviewing him)

RJ:  Almost gotta say Big Country (laughs), just becuase it is Big Country (which he predicted right).

Paneech:  How far can you take this dream of playing hockey and what makes you think you have what it takes?

RJ:  I felt like I belonged when I was in Washington and didn’t do badly.  The Caps told me that I had a really good showing and that they liked the way I can skate, hit, and fight.  Hopefully I will take this as far as I can and hopefully I don’t get injured to prevent me from doing my best.

Paneech:  Tell me about a typical day right now.

RJ:  When I wake up in the morning I usually go running or try to go to the gym.  Then we practice.  Usually if we have a workout day, I go to the downtown YMCA and have a workout there with Josh from The House of Speed.  Go to practice which is usually high-paced and energetic.   Today we had Pilates after.  Some days I go back to the gym to keep working out.  After it’s all over, I go home and eat dinner and call it a day.

Paneech:  How do you like playing for Coach Mainhardt?

RJ:  He is a great coach to have here.  He is one of the reasons I decided to come here and play.  The staff is a great group of guys who make you feel welcome and provide more of a family atmosphere.  They [the coaching staff] bring you in more like family rather than oh, he’s the head coach and he’s not gonna talk to you. 

Paneech:  Predict your goals and assists for the season.

RJ:  (laughs) I’m shooting for 25 and 25.

One Word Answers 

Favorite Meal Of The Day?  Probably dinner.

Favorite TV Show?  Ultimate Fighter and sometimes Family Guy.

Iced Tea or Milk?  Iced tea

Favorite Thing About Youngstown.  The atmosphere.

Ovechkin or Malkin?  Ovechkin.

Favorite NHL Team?  Washington Capitals (laughs).

Toppings On A Pizza?  Barbecued Chicken Pizza.

One Penalty In Hockey You Would Do Away With.  Instigator.

Gretzky or Lemieux?  Lemieux

Favorite Musician or CD?  Jason Aldean

The Best Thing Anyone Has Ever Done For You?  My mom supporting me doing all of my hockey stuff and always being behind me.

If I Were A Casual Hockey Fan, What Would You Say To Lure Me Into A Phantoms Game?  You will see bodies hit the ice. Hard. 

Delonte West is having issues.  First he gets caught with an armada then he goes AWOL at the Cleveland Cavaliers team media day.  If LeBron wants to lead and Shaq wants to help, they need to extend the olive branch to Mr. West who struggles from depression and anxiety.  This team is better served with him than without him. 

Here are some stories from other great sites!

• Major League Jerk thinks that Derek Anderson is the right choice over Brady Quinn in Cleveland.
• PSAMP writes about some drunk Chicago Cubs fans who had no idea that their team had just been swept in a doubleheader by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
• Buster Sports takes a better look at the hit that caused Tim Tebow to spend a night at the hospital.
• Steady Burn asks who the biggest waste of space is on your fantasy football team?
• Not Qualified To Comment argues that Ben Gordon is THAT valuable of a player to the Chicago Bulls.
• The World of Isaac has video of Joe Mauer tipping pitches to Twins batters from second base. Cheater.  Detroit4Lyfe follows up on the Mauer pitch tipping with a “who cares” everyone else does it and so what if he was story.
• Babes Love Baseball gives props to Ricky Nolasco of the Florida Marlins for setting a team strikeout record with 16, including 9 in a row, one shy of the MLB record!
• Bootlegger Sports finds soccer hero Renaldo being cursed by a warlock named Pepe who is guaranteeing an injury.
• NESW Sports finds Stephon Marbury bullying the chat room nerds.  I guess you find new hobbies when you sit out almost a whole NBA season.
• Style Points reports on Junior Seau getting walloped by a bull.
• Predominantly Orange tells why it is better to be a Denver Broncos fan than a Dallas Cowboys fan right now.