Who’s your columnist #1

So, got a columnist for the semester?
Your choices will be posted on the class syllabus.
Tom Boswell of the WashPost is still out there.
Joe Posnanski of the KCStar, too.
And Mitch Albom of the Detroit Free Press.
Lots of good folks to choose from.
Your COMMENT for the first week MUST be posted here.
You must comment on a column by your columnist each week. That means your columnist needs to be writing each week. So, no Tony Kornheiser. He’s a television/radio guy now. He rarely writes. That would be too much work!
Your comment must be posted by 30 minutes before the Tuesday class.
You must include the URL so that others can read the column, too.
Let me know if you have any questions.
See you in class.



21 Responses to “Who’s your columnist #1”

  1.   Tour of '03 (Steve Klein) Says:

    Hey, it’s Saturday already! Where is everybody? Post your columnist comment here and don’t forget the URL to the specific column.

  2.   Tour of '03 (Steve Klein) Says:

    Sunday and still nobody’s posted …

  3.   ambar Says:

    As I read Salley Jenkin’s column where she wrote about the Giants versus the Packers’ game, I could hear Professor Klein talking about how a sports writer should be able to analyze the game and give the audience something more than the stats. Her lead began with no numbers yet it drew in to read more. By the end of the story, I knew exactly who did what and she informed me in a creative manner. Jenkins is detailed in her writing which makes it intersting because she creates an imagine in your head where you can imagine being right there in the stands.
    If anyone is interested, here is the url:
    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/20/AR2008012002766.html

  4.   Joe Gisondi Says:

    I worked with one of my favorite columnists – – the Orlando Sentinel’s Mike Bianchi. He’s a great reporter, has a great sense of humor, and is a terrific writer. Check out Mike’s columns at http://www.orlandosentinel.com. Today, there are many wonderful columnists across the country you can read thanks to the web. Make sure you also listen to Steve, one of the most experienced sports journalism teachers out there. I look forward to reading his excellent suggestions and ideas.

    Joe Gisondi
    Eastern Illinois University

  5.   Latonya Says:

    “Roy Jones’ career off ropes”
    BY TIM SMITH

    Tim Smith captured the perspectives of Roy Jones, Jr. and Felix Trinidad in his column on their recent match. He took the story a bit further by focusing on the circumstances as to why this match was so enthralling. This immediately caught my attention, and went beyond just giving me the basic rundown.
    I liked Smith’s article because he used sarcasm. Many of his comments actually made me laugh out loud, and I enjoyed his references to common themes that any reader could understand. His description of the fight gave me an imaginative front row seat to this event in which I hadn’t seen when aired on TV.
    Thumbs up to Smith for giving the reader additional insight.

    URL
    http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2008/01/21/2008-01-21_roy_jones_career_off_ropes.html

  6.   Josh Says:

    Can you really look the next football fan in the eye and have a conversation about a boot? The first week of leading up to the Super Bowl has been all about Tom Brady’s boot. Is this really the hype? Brady said on a morning radio show in New England the day after the first report of the boot surfaced that only being on a stretcher could keep him out of this game. Now, six days have gone by since Brady declared nothing will keep him out of the big game. Let me help, Brady is playing; now move on, next topic. The media can’t think of anything else to talk about but a boot? I give John Clayton credit for at least using some space to include real elements that could be factors in this game. But all week long it was hard to find that from any other columnist.

  7.   DannyU Says:

    The Long and Winding Search
    By: Michael Wilbon
    Being a sports fan in the Washington D.C. area, one can expect two things. First, to be a Redskins fan, and second, to read what Michael Wilbon is saying about them. In this article, Wilbon illustrates the Redskins ability to steal headlines by simply doing nothing. As they search for a new head coach, the Redskins are one of the hot topics in football today. Wilbon provides some clever insight toward the candidates that have been interviewed so far. I do feel as though he used the term “the Redskins” too often, making it sound redundant. Overall a good read.
    Here is the link:
    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/22/AR2008012203341.html

  8.   Anonymous Says:

    No Alarms And No Surprises
    By: Tom Boswell

    Although this article is a little dated Tom Boswell gives a full detail of the draft picks that the Washington Redskins made for the 2005 season. The paragraphs are detailed with facts about what the Redskins are looking to do in order to improve the future of their franchise. Boswell provides multiple quotes from Joe Gibbs giving the reader hard evidence as to why exactly the head coach made the choices he did. He picked a strong corner back rather than picking a highly wanted wide receive in order to strengthen the teams defense. Find more out at:

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12354-2005Apr23.html

    Elliot Fox
    COMM 371-001

  9.   Jeremy Says:

    Jayson Stark’s most recent column is really a series of small opinion pieces, but each one works really well on its own.
    One particular section of the piece stands out to me as being exceptionally well written.

    Stark wrote about the Twins struggles to make any solid commitment with their star pitcher Johan Santana, either to trade him or to resign him. The Twins fielded offers and played one offer against another, trying to up the ante, until all of their potential deals fell through. The end result, according to Stark, is that the Twins are left in a position where they may need to make a less desirable trade of Santana than what they could have taken before.

    There are a few techniques that Stark uses in his writing that I really appreciate as a reader.

    First of all, Stark has a very conversational tone to his writing. This may be a result of him posting it in his blog, but it certainly would not be out of place in any sports section or on the front page of ESPN.

    Second, he uses humor to make his article more interesting and conversational. For example, suggesting that the reader “might have read someplace” that the Santana deals didn’t go through. For a few weeks around Christmas the Santana story was the second-biggest story in baseball, trailing only the accusations against Roger Clemens.

    Third–and this one is a bit unorthodox from what I’ve seen, but it works really well–Stark uses a lot of rhetorical questions to set up his opinions. He anticipates what his readers are curious about, and then answers those questions. This technique leaves me feeling like Stark really knows both his audience and his subject, because he knows what I want to know, and he knows what questions will arise from the available information.

    Unfortunately the article is only available to subscribers to ESPN’s Insider service. If you have the service, you can read the column here:
    http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=stark_jayson

    -Jeremy

  10.   ssokler Says:

    From: Sean D Sokler [mailto:ssokler@gmu.edu]
    > Sent: Friday, January 25, 2008 2:16 PM
    > To: sklein1@gmu.edu
    > Subject: Bob Ryan
    >
    > Bob Ryan’s column on the Patriots’ victory was interesting. His basic
    > point was that the Patriots won this game differently than others this
    > season, not relying on the passing game or Randy Moss. He had a lot
    > of good quotes.
    >
    > A smashing success
    > By Bob Ryan, Globe Columnist | January 21, 2008

  11.   Phil Murphy Says:

    I picked the worst week to follow Jim Caple. He’s participating in Twins fantasy camp for an upcoming story. Thus, Caple is a little light with the writing, but has a fascinating picture on his blog of him doubling off Burt Blyleven.

    He did write a column on ESPN documenting the best sporting events of each month. It ranges from the Masters in April — on my short list of must-do’s before I die — to the MLB All-Star Game in July at Yankee Stadium.

    I was surprised that he chose a Braves-Dodgers spring training game for February over the Super Bowl and Pro Bowl. His list will switch between quality of game and allure to tourists. But both February football games have a competitive advantage in one of criteria relative the Vero Beach, Fl., baseball game. It might even be split-squad!

    He’s probably on a baseball binge and stuck in the fantasy that he could have actually doubled off Blyleven 20 years ago.

    URL:
    http://sports.espn.go.com/travel/columns/story?columnist=caple_jim&id;=3201329

  12.   Mike Coppinger Says:

    http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/080122

    My columnist is Bill Simmons, “The Sports Guy” from ESPN. I have been reading Bill Simmons’ columns for years. He is very witty and always finds humor in sport scandals. This weeks column is from Tuesday, January 22nd.

    In this column, Simmons gives out awards for the NFL championship games.

    A great point Simmons makes, is that the real “L.T.”, Lawrence Taylor, would have had to have his legs chopped off, to not play in the championship game. Tomlinson instead sulked on the sidelines with his helmet on the whole game.

    Another thing that Simmons points out, is that no one in the media was very critical of Favre’s lousy performance against the Giants. Writers tried to say that Favre had changed into more of a game manager, but he’s still the same old gun slinger.

    Simmons quips that Brandon Jacobs really needs a threatening nickname, because his name really does sound intimidating.

    Another great column from Simmons as usual, I really encourage anyone who doesn’t read his columns to start doing so.

  13.   Brittany Says:

    For the past week, the Superbowl has been a major subject topic, as it is in Peter King’s article “It’s All on the Line.” The chances that New England will have a perfect 19-0 record is another main topic, analysts agree, the only way for the New York Giants to upset the New England Patriots is to pressure Brady, hard. This article reiterates the necessity of the Giants doing so. The article also refers back to the last regular season game, when the Patriots met New York in the Meadowlands and the Giants put up quite a fight, falling 38-35. The Giants played hard even though they were on their way to the playoffs; maybe they did this just to attempt to break New England’s record? Well, they’ll have their chance again on Sunday.
    http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/peter_king/01/29/all.on.the.line0204/index.html

  14.   Robert Says:

    Chris De Luca’s last column focused on pointing out the White Sox main concerns for the offseason. One concern was finding a capable leadoff hitter. De Luca wrote that there is some disagreement on the leadoff role between manager Ozzie Guillen and GM Ken Williams. Guillen supports newly-acquired shortstop Orlando Cabrera for the role, while Williams is pushing for center fielder Jerry Owens.

    The story also pointed out that the White Sox will likely part ways with third baseman Joe Crede. Josh Fields would then be the probable starter to take over at third-base.

  15.   Robert Says:

    Here is the link for the story:
    http://www.suntimes.com/sports/deluca/760859,CST-SPT-deluca27.article

  16.   Dechele Says:

    “To understand Belichick, look what he did with the Browns”
    By: Gene Wojciechowski
    I read an article by espn.com columnist Gene Wojciechowski. In this particular article he discusses Bill Belichick’s time in Cleveland and what he did there, compared to what he is doing now with the Patriots. He also poses a lot of what ifs in the sense of what would have happened to Cleveland if they would have chosen to keep Belichick as opposed to firing him.
    I liked the article because it takes a look at Belichick than and Belichick now. It gives insight into the type of coaching decisions he has made throughout his career as a NFL coach.

    http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columni

  17.   Carlos Says:

    Woody Paige’s article this week focuses on the man he calls, not only the coach of the year, but coach of the millenium.
    New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick might go down in history for coaching the only 19-0 NFL football team.
    Belichick fist got a job at the age of 25 with the Denver Broncos back in 1978. Then head coach Red Miller gave him a job as assistant special teams coach. Belichick has made his way from having a few bucks salary, plus a room and board with he Broncos, to earning $4million a year with the Patriots.
    This year could mean his fourth Super Bowl in seven seasons with New England.
    Recently, Belichick is being asked about quarterback Tom Brady condition to an ankle injury.

    “He was in practice on Monday like everybody else,” said Belichick.

  18.   stephen ball Says:

    Mike Wise wrote Sunday about the cold shoulder Dan Snyder has given to not only Greg Williams but the Redskins organization as well. By treating Williams in such a callus manner, Snyder has shown the current Redskins, potential free agants and especially other coaches that loyalty means nothing. All of the good will seen after the death of Sean Taylor seems awfully trivialized at this point.

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/26/AR2008012602358.html

  19.   Dylan Cavalheri-Gaiteri Says:

    Gene Wojciechowski writes about how Eli Manning has matured as a quarterback during the postseason and how despite his many critics, he has emerged as a leader and a winner with the support of people like his father, brother, and his coach from Ole Miss. Wojciechowski also writes about how Manning’s humble nature does not allow him to get riled up often, but that doesn’t mean that he does not have what it takes to win

    http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id;=3221868

  20.   Eric Says:

    Tigers’ 1987 regular season had a happy ending
    By: Mitch Albom

    This article is really enjoyable for the reason that Mitch Albom draws the readers into the story. This was originally reported in 1987, but the way in which Mitch Albom story-tells makes this article a easy and enjoyable read. When a writer writes for the reader is is evident and in this article it is very evident in the way Mitch Albom is writing for his audience in an entertaining manner. His description makes you as the reader feel like your actually in the moment even though the story took place 21 years ago.

    http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080128/COL01/80119052/1082

  21.   ssokler Says:

    “QB Could have Given Boot to the Story” by Bob Ryan

    In the pre-Super Bowl hype surrounding Tom Brady, there were two issues–his ankle and his girlfriend. Brady finally addressed both at Media Day. In his column, Bob Ryan commented upon Brady’s performance. It was both informative and amusing. For example, here is how it ended:

    “Oh, in case you’re wondering, Tom says he doesn’t know whether or not Gisele is coming to the game.

    Stop it. Don’t tell me you weren’t asking.”

    http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2008/01/28/qb_could_have_given_boot_to_story/?page=2

    –Sean

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