Well this is interesting (part II)

The second thing I noticed is the receiver statline: Look at the receivers with catches... there's Jermaine Gresham, Andre Caldwell, even Jerome Simpson (who?).
But do you notice who's not on the stat sheet for the first half?
Chad Ochocinco
T.O.
Jordan Shipley
Reggie Kelly
TJ Houshmandzadeh
Peter Warrick
Carl Pickens
Chris Collinsworth
...none of the household names that we expect to get receptions on a week in, week out basis. And i wouldn't be surprised if this was a foreshadowing of next year.

Well this is interesting

Im sitting at a stoplight. No, this isn't an interesting anecdote. It's just the way things are.
The Bengal's game is once again blacked out (I mean c'mon Cincinnatians, who doesn't want to watch a 3-11 team in the freezing snow?) so I can't see the game, but I can follow the statline.
It's halftime, and Carson Palmer is 8-for-8 with two touchdowns. Maybe that will silence the critics for a day... but there's still the second half.

My First Big Story...

I had no idea it would be this big...
A little over a month ago, I took on a story for Indiana Wesleyan University's student newspaper, The Sojourn about a seemingly innocent change in an IWU-run convenience store. They pulled a drink from store shelves. They rejected two others. But the story here comes from why they rejected the drinks.
You can read the story here to get the full picture.
After the article was published, IWU's campus erupted with student reaction, and recently, a letter to the editor was published on The Sojourn's website, and has generated as much student response on our website as anything I have ever seen.
Next, the Pepsi Cola Company (which owns one of the banned drinks) found out about the story and has been hounding the university with phone calls about why the drinks are not on shelves.
Finally, a couple of larger media outlets (MSNBC?) have heard about the story and might even run it themselves.
This could get interesting...

It certainly has been a while...

As I sit here in my Intro to Newswriting class, I can't help but reflect on my first two-and-a-half months as a college student in terms of my career as a writer.
I'm the only freshman on the staff of The Sojourn, Indiana Wesleyan University's student-run newspaper. I'm taking five communications classes already, and five more next semester. I had one of my (news) stories make headline on the front page.
I feel like I am learning a lot, and I know that I have even more to learn. But I am confident that after four years, I'll have a decent idea how to be a good sports journalist.
Check out my articles on The Sojourn's website.

First impressions

They say that it's nearly impossible to break your first impression of something. When it comes to Indiana Wesleyan University and its student-run newspaper, The Sojourn, I think that's a good thing.
Yesterday was the first day of training, and it feels good to be part of a more formal, organized newspaper.
More updates to come...

Ochocinco (written 8/20/10)

I just read the rules on broadcasting NFL games on TV.

Why? What are the cool kids doing on a Friday night?

As I sit here, cursed with the knowledge I have just obtained, one thing stands out in my mind. NFL really does stand for No Fun League. Yes, business is business, and I'll probably understand when I join the rat race myself, but it was still a sobering experience to see just how much business there is to the game I love so much. Wouldn't football be so much better if we didn't have to worry about contracts, blackouts, union deals, player lockouts, and uncapped seasons? Of course, all of these things are necessary evils for the NFL we know and love to function normally. But they just make me appreciate the lighthearted fun in the league even more.

Enter Chad Ochocinco.

I know a lot of people dislike him for his flashy style, endzone celebrations, and trash talk, but why do you think he does it? Because it's fun. Many people try to paint the artist formerly known as Chad Johnson as an arrogant, selfish crybaby who only cares that everyone is watching him. However, this is simply not the case. Chad Ochocinco does the things he does for the love of the game, but at the same time he cares about winning.

Think about it. When were the Cincinnati Bengals at their best? The answer is arguably 2005, when “eighty-five” was setting records and incurring fines left and right. When Chad stopped being Chad, everything seemed to fall apart. For his, and the team's sake, I hope Ochocinco is back up to his old tricks, and we get to enjoy a successful, entertaining season.

C-Town Sports

I've acquired many nicknames in my time. The ones I am most proud of are “Sharpie”, “Jer-bear”, and “Nerd”. Okay, that last one wasn't so much a nickname as a hurtful description of my high school study habits, but I got it just as much as the other two. However, of all the monickers I've heard (and trust me, there have been many) I think my favorite is “C-Town”. How I earned it is simple. When I went away to college for the first time and people asked where I was from, I wasn't going to tell them Mt. Orab, a small town of about 4,000 that was turned upside with excitement when a new Kroger Marketplace opened, so I decided to say Cincinnati, the closest major city, which in all honesty wasn't that far away. Trying to impress my classmates with my cool Midwest lingo, I shortened my adoptive hometown's name to C-Town.

I was proud to say I was from Cincy, even though I wasn't actually from there, but I still hail The Queen City, The 'Nati, The Nasty Nati, Porkopolis, Chili Town; Cin City, as my own. But for years, not many Cincinnati sports fans could name their hometown with much pride. Long gone are the days when the Reds had a respected nickname of their own, and brought home the town's only major sports championships. Distant memories are the Bengals of old who lost Superbowls to Joe Montana and Jerry Rice. Most have forgotten about the Bob Huggins era in Bearcat basketball, when he led them to a Final Four, and one season was a Kenyon Martin injury away from a seemingly destined national championship.

You don't need to tell us Cincinnati fans that it's been rough.

For the most part, this entire decade has been one “maybe next year” after another. I realized just how bad it had gotten when local TV sports anchors tried to get Cincinnatians excited about the Cyclones winning hockey championships in some league called the ECHL. But hey, they did win the coveted Kelly Cup twice in three years. Other than the Bearcat's football team making school history in terms of success (which wasn't saying much), and a couple of [very] brief postseason appearances for the Bengals, Cincinnati hasn't been so much as a blip on the national sports radar.

But all that could be changing soon... I hope.

The Bengals have the T.Ochocinco Show, and a defense that actually looks like, well, an NFL defense (all in favor of the reinstatement of the phrase “Cardiac Cats”, say aye). The UC football Bearcats are looking to build off a couple of impressive seasons, and as for the basketball team... well they still suck (it can't all go right, okay?). But for me, the most surprising event is what's going on at Great American Ballpark. It's mid-August, and the Reds are still in it. They've begun their annual death march known as the West Coast road trip, and Reds are still in first place. Maybe, just maybe, this is a sign of hope for the Queen City.

Now, I say this with all the skepticism of a Cincinnati fan who has seen franchise players get hurt in playoff games, big stars come to the city and flounder, and great coaches leave for no other reason than more money. I've heard (and regrettably said) on many occasions that maybe 'this time' things will be different. But they never are. Ultimately, this town just goes back to its regular losing ways. Why? No one knows, we don't have a goat curse or hurricane to blame it on, all we have are names like the “Bungles” and the “Shreds” So after all this, why in the world would I think that there's any hope?

Because this time, things will be different in C-Town.

Going Wild...cat

I love my school. Let me start with that. When it came time to decide what college to attend, it really wasn't even a decision. Indiana Wesleyan University is my home; it's where I want to spend the next four years of my life. There's just one teeny-tiny thing. Sports writing is my passion, and when it comes to sports, IWU is no USC.
Now I'm not complaining. The plan was to go to a major D-I college and make a name for myself by writing for the school paper, covering bowl games and sweet 16s. But plans change. So instead, I'm entering Indiana Wesleyan as the only freshman working for the school newspaper, covering teams who compete in a league called the NAIA.
My experience as a sports journalist for a small town newspaper may already be coming in handy. The gig I had at The Brown County Press included no coverage of football. There was only one football team in the county, and covering it was the job of my boss' boss. Not to worry, because IWU doesn't have a football team either.
Am I concerned about what kind of effect all this will have on my dream of becoming a writer for Sports Illustrated? A little. But do I think I can still do it? Absolutely. Over the next four years, I want to prove what I've begun to say through the last three: I am a great writer. Not trying to brag, I'm simply confident in my abilities, and I feel I can back up my claims.
It's a little disheartening when I talk to my brother, who attended IWU as a freshman last year, and he knows nothing of our school's sports and little about the newspaper. It makes me wonder, is what I'm going to be doing that unimportant? But then I decided to take it as a challenge. There are movies about sports teams and schools being completely revitalized by a single player or coach. It is now my goal to turn around Indiana Wesleyan University's sports program, not from a field or a sideline, but from the bleachers.

Get 'cho popcorn ready

"This is gonna be scary" Chad Ochocinco said of he and friend/new teammate Terrell Owens lining up on opposite sides of the field this season. You know what? He's right. But it's not just the two of them that will make the Bengals offense frightening to opposing defenses in 2010. A solid offensive line, a good running game, and one of the deepest corps of receivers in the NFL help out as well. Andre Caldwell is an up-and-coming star, and should be a fantastic #3 receiver. Let's get started.
-Jeremy Sharp

T.O.'s too much

At first, I was all for Trellel Owens suiting up in Bengal's stripes in 2010. Then I thought about it. Take one look at Cincinnati's roster. Check out the depth at wide receiver. Names like Chad Ochocinco, Antiono Bryant Jerome Simpson, and Jordan Shipley are supposed to be at the top. If T.O. came onboard, a young talent would certainly be cut. And young guns like Simspon and Shipley wouldn't get playing time. All so a 36 year-old could try to rebound from one of his worst pro seasons.
-Jeremy Sharp

My Midnight Thoughts

The Miami Heat will win the NBA championship this year.
LeBron James did what he had to do, don't judge him because he wants to win.
I miss the old Tiger Woods, but he's still the best.
Brett Favre?........ nope, not ringing a bell.
The Reds are still in it, and I am still cautiously optimistic.
The N.L. just won the all-star game for the first time since i could write in cursive. . . it's about freaking time.
Also, I'm very tired.
-Jeremy Sharp
07/14/10

My thoughts on the Lakers (in 512 characters or less)

Wow.
I thought about just leaving this post at just that. Wow. Honestly, that fairly sums up my thoughts on Los Angles' second straight NBA championship. Wow. And it doesn't get much 'less' than 512 characters. So, simple as it is, all I can say is wow.
It makes it all the better for the Lakers that Kobe Bryant was not the main factor in game seven. "I sucked" Bryant said with a smile after the game. That's the difference between the Lakers and Cavaliers, they can win without their star playing like it.

The definition of skepticism

Ok I'll admit it: as I type this article on my cell phone in June, I am a little excited about the Cincinnati Reds. It's crazy, isn't it? I mean, this is a team that hasn't made the playoffs this DECADE, and I have the nerve to say they might have actually assembled a decent team?
It's probably the heat talking. Because c'mon, this is the "Shreds" we're talking about.
Bottom line: I'm going to be weary of all Cincy sports forever, and my phone has a 512 character input limit.
-Jeremy Sharp
6.6.10

Here it comes...

It seems like just yesterday, I was riding a schoolbus for the first time. Last year saw me attend my first day of public school, and on Monday, I will attend my last.
(sigh)
It doesn't seem fair, hoenstly. I have met so many people who I have grown to love so much, and now, I have to say goodbye. It seems as quickly as I started, I am ending. I really don't have many words to say about this, because I'm not sure how to feel- I've never had to feel quite like this before.
On one hand, I'm excited. This fall, I will attend Indiana Wesleyan University, where I will work for the school paper, The Sojourn. I can't wait to start classes, and see my amazing friends who will also be attending.
I'm also nervous. These high school buildings are all I've known for two years now, both during the day and at work. I'm anxious about leaving these firmiliar halls, because I know that I can own them.
I'm sad, more than anything else though. It hasn't quite hit me yet, but I can't even describe how much I'm going to miss these people. Students and teachers alike, they've all helped shape me into who I am today.
I see some people in class who say they cannot wait to get out of here and graduate. They disgust me. They don't appreciate high school like I do, they don't know how great it is.
I can only hope that the next chapter in my book goes even better.
To all my friends at Western Brown and Southern Hills,
I love you guys,
-Jeremy Sharp
5.20.10

March Is Driving Me Mad

Okay, I'm suffocating. Don't get me wrong, I love school. But right now, I dislike how out of touch I am becoming with the world of professional sports. I just found out that the Cleveland Browns blew up their quarterback situation by cutting former probowler Derek Anderson and trading former first round pick Brady Quinn to the Broncos.

First of all, I think the Denver got the best of this trade. They now have a potential franchise quarterback like they did in Jay Cutler. And in return, the Broncos gave up a couple of draft picks and a fullback. As a casual fan of the orange and blue, I'm pretty happy with the swap.

Then there's something called the NCAA Tournament. I've caught some of it (but not as much as I'd like). I remember my days of homeschooling. I would get my work done before noon, and watch all the early games everyone else was missing. This year, I don't have that option.

Overall, I'm stoked that I'm in public school. But when I was in homeschool, I could listen to sports radio and keep up on all things NFL, MLB, and NBA. As of now, I'm not as close to sports as I used to be. But I can't wait until I go back to watching ESPN and checking sports websites all day. Only this time, I'll get paid for it :)

Some of my Best Work... I think

Alright, so in my (SEN10R) Graphic Communications class, we're putting together our portfolios. These are some of my pictures that made the cut. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE no stealing them... thanks.

I would love some feedback. Let me know what you think.

-Jeremy Sharp

2/24/10

2000 NFL memories

I was just eight years old when the 2000 decade began. Honestly, I don't remember much from the early part of the decade. My first real sports memory is Kevin Dyson helplessly stretching for the goal line in the Titan's near Super Bowl win against the Rams. I'll never forget that.

I will never forget where I was when Adam Vinitary kicked the game-winning field goal in the AFC Championship game versus Oakland.

Speaking of the Raiders, I think my most memorable thought when it comes to sports would have to be Brett Favre's four touchdowns versus Oakland on Monday Night Football the day after Favre's father died.

I was too young to really understand what was going on, but I can't forget the feeling of the first week of football after 9/11. And the Sports Illustrated cover that declared "The Week Sports Stood Still"

David Tyree's Immaculate Reception Part II in the Giant's monumental Super Bowl victory over the previously undefeated Patriots will always be in the back of my mind.

And while I am straying from the NFL, it's hard to put together a list of memorable anything without thinking about what I still say is the greatest sporting event ever played: Boise State over Oklahoma... need I say more?

And of course, as I promised so along ago, I WILL NOT forget the late greats:

Pat Tillman

Darrent Williams

Sean Taylor

Chris Henry

May the 2010 decade bring just as much as excitement as the 200s

New Year, New Cliches

Alright, so after a brief period of silence for the late, great Chris Henry, I hope to be back to my old ways. I can't say that I'll be updating this site all too often, because I've been quite busy lately, and let's face it... nobody is probably reading this other than me. But still, it's decent experience, and I enjoy it so much.

Okay, so I have many thoughts on sports right now, I'll let them out in short bursts.

Colts vs. Saints Super Bowl: Go Saints, that would be an amazing story.

Pre-Super Bowl ProBowl: What is this? The MLB? Next thing you know we'll be a taking a ProBowl break after week 8... it's ridiculous. I know it's a meaningless event anyway, but when guys like Peyton, Drew Brees, and others aren't in it because they still have to play for the real thing... that's a BIG step in the wrong direction.

Guns in basketball locker rooms: Great... that's all the NBA needed.

Tiger Woods: Really?!?! You people are surprised that these athletes have secret sex lives?

The Bengals: I'm half-expecting another 8-8 season next year.

College basketball: Is it just me, or is there really no clear cut #1 team yet? Will there ever be this year? I don't think so.

Okay, that's enough for now... I have to get back to the daily grind of a high school SEN10R... oh yeah, baby!