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:jSPG)R’lS-5 ■' Ward Prime for NFL Competition By Corey Brown Ink Sports Columnist Charlie Ward is an exceptional college quarterback. The question most people are asking is whether or not he can (Oklahoma) were true to this form, but the simple fact is all black quarterbacks have been labeled this way. Too many times I hear of the intelligence of white quarterbacks like Joe Montana or John Elway Speaking of Sports excel on the National Football League level. Not only that, but people have given him the ultimate insult in saying that he might get drafted to play comerback or some other position. This statement both irritates and disturbs me. Going back to the days of Johnny Walton in Philadelphia, black quarterbacks have always received a bad knock. QBs like Jeff Blake (ECU) and Major Harris (West Virginia) have been viewed as only being able to function in an offense that utilized the option. In actuality, Tony Rice (Notre Dame) and Charles Thompson for their on-field execution. Yet when Warren Moon or Randall Cunningham performs the same task it is because of “natural ability” or “pure athleticism.” For these reasons black quarterbacks have not been taken seriously. Ward has a chance to help improve on this situation. Granted he may not be the tallest or have the strongest arm, but he has a tremendous amount of poise and coach Bobby Bowden stands firm behind the decisions Ward makes. At 6 feet 2 inches tall, 190 pounds. Ward measures up to other NFL starting quarterbacks. Rick Mirer, Rodney Peete and David Klinger. Each of these QBs are similar in stature, but each have distinct styles to set them apart. Ward stands alone in terms of the intangibles. While others might rely too heavily on having a strong arm. Ward plays within his limitations and exerts extreme control. Despite the loss to Notre Dame, theplay of Ward was solid. The play calhng, on the other hand left much to be desired. By being in the Florida State system, Ward is already better prepared than the average college quarterback, he has a firm grasp of pro-styled offenses already. Statistically speaking, there have been better and more heralded QBs that have come out of college. Ty Detmer, Gino Toretta and Vinny Testaverde all received considerable hype, but where are they now? Testaverde is the only one who is, after years in the pros, finally looking decent. What stands out as most frustrating, is that black QBs have rdlhJWCDWETBHOWN Ward has received the usual criticisms faced by black QBs of the past and present. still not had an equal chance to perform. I mean I am a die-hard Pittsburgh Steeler fan and I have suffered through such “greats” as Mark Malone and Bubby Brister. Believe me. Ward can do no worse in the pros than these two. Now with all this I say. Ward can and will make his mark in the NFL. Not as receiver, not as a nickel back, but as a quarterback. Unless of course he pursues a basketball career...Nah. It’s Tip-Off Time! College Basketball Preview By TJ Stancil Ink Stc^ Writer Well, welcome to another edition of Black Ink Sports! I know everyone is ready for the start of basketball season, esp)ecially behind the Heels 1993 championship run. The first official game for the Tar Heels was a victory Wednesday over Western Kentucky in the Pre-season National Invitation Tournament (NIT). This year I expect our team to handily win the majority of their games en route to another title. (Despite the unexpected decision of Pat Sullivan to red-shirt this season.)We will see about that one, but here are my picks for the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) race: 1. North Carolina 2. Duke 3. Florida State 4. Georgia Tech 5. Maryland 6. Virginia 7. NC State 8. Oemson 9.Wake Forest The Black Ink AU-ACC (by position) Player of the Y ear: J ames Forrest, Grant Hill (tie) First Team: Point guard- Cory Alexander, Virginia Two guard- Bobby Sura, Florida State Center- Eric Montross, North Carolina Big Forward- James Forrest, Gewgia Tech Quick Forward- Grant Hill, Duke Second Team: Pointguard- Travis Best, Georgia Tech Second Guard- Randolph Childress, Wake Forest Center- Sharone Wright, Qemson Big Forward- Junior Burrough, Virginia Quick Forward- Martice Moore, Georgia Tech Rookie of the Year: Jeff Capel, Duke (sorry, Stackhouse!) Now, with the area interest out of the way, we can move on to national teams. There is a lot of parity this year, and about a dozen teams look strong enough to win it Arkansas will be back a year older and a lot stronger. California will also be older and smarter after a half season under new coach Todd Bozeman. UNCI’ve already mentioned, and Duke wi 11 seek a return to glory. It’s too early for me to analyze, so I’ll go al(Xig with Street & Smith for now. But check my All-American teams: Black Ink All-Americans (by position) First Team: Point Guard- Jason Kidd, California Two Guard- Billy McCaffery, Vanderbilt Center- Eric Montross, North Carolina Big Forward- Glenn Robinson, Purdue Quick Forward- Grant Hill, Duke Second Team: Point Guard- Cory Alexander, Virginia Second Guard- Lawrence Moten, Syracuse Center- Othella Harrington, Georgetown Big Forward- Deon Thomas, Illinois Quick Forward- James Forrest, Georgia Tech Street & Smith’s Top Ten: 1. North Carolina 2. Arkansas 3. Louisville 4. Minnesota 5. Duke 6. California 7. Kentucky 8. Illinois 9. Virginia 10. Michigan Well, a lot of predicting is good for basketball junkies, but nothing is proven until you hitthe court. Take these predictions as guide, and not as law. At the end of the year, pick up this Ink, check my predictions, and if I’m big- time wrong, make me eat it. The Final four will be in Charlotte this year, where I think the Tar Heels will win it in a close battle with either California, Arkansas, Michigan, or Duke, depending on the tournament brackets. Until next lime, ya’ 11B- E-Z!!! Peace to Corey “Black Ink Sports” Brown, Street & Smith’s Basketball, ACC Poop Sheet, and
Black Ink (Black Student Movement, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
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Nov. 22, 1993, edition 1
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