-Tennessee Volunteers hoops coach Bruce Pearl apologized for making a insensitive joke at a fundraiser:
"I've got a tough job. I've got to put these guys from different worlds together, right?" Pearl said. "I've got guys from Chicago, Detroit ... I'm talking about the 'hood! And I've got guys from Grainger County, where they wear the hood.''
Although Pearl’s remarks were a bit insensitive they were not off target. He is bringing inner city youth into a world where they might not be welcomed with open arms if they couldn’t ball. Although his comments were a little distasteful, he should still be commended for the job he is doing at Tennessee. He is an exciting coach who has brought men's basketball into the spotlight despite playing second fiddle to Pat Summit’s Lady Vols. I’d play for this guy anyday
-Browns rookie CB Coye Francies made news this week when he took a “prank” a little too seriously. After a spirited practice some of the veteran DBs decided to soak Francies with water and the rookie didn’t take it lightly. He charged into the locker room with a bucket of ice, tossed it onto starting CB Brandon McDonald and then flung some more ice at safety Mike Adams. After this ‘ice’capade Francies made a beeline for former Cowboys safety Abram Elam and swung at him. Elam dodged the punch and other Browns players had to restrain Francies. All of this happened while reporters were in the locker room!
Of course the Browns players tried to downplay it as just guys having fun. Coach Eric Mangini called the players involved into his office to determine whether there were any lingering effects.
There is definitely something deeper going on here, but I don’t expect to be a headline again this season. This Browns team is frustrated after getting spanked to the tune of 0-2 this season. This team has no chance of making the playoffs and I’m sure that some of these veterans were taking out they’re frustrations on a rookie who still has some fire in his belly. “We’ll” keep our eye on the situation.
Keywords: Abram Elam, Bruce Pearl, Cleveland Browns, Coye Francis, Dallas Cowboys, Eric Mangini, Eric McDonald, Mike Adams, Pat Summit, Tennessee Volunteers
