FanSpeak

Credit to Haggerty

THAT WAS a great article in Thursday's paper about Central's defense, but one thing was missing. There was no mention of the Tigers' defensive coordinator, Bobby Haggerty. This young man has brought knowledge and discipline to Central's football program. Great job, coach!

One game and out

WELL THAT didn't take long. One game into the season and Kurt Warner is already looking like a rag doll. I'm sure that he'd be back at starter this week if health wasn't an issue. Maybe Mike Martz should watch the game from home and he'd be able to see a little more clearly.

This is only a test

I CAN'T wait to get the Southeast Missourian sports page so I can see who made pro baseball from this area. It's been in the Saturday paper for the last two months, and I just wonder when there's going to be a test over it.

Rankings and ranklings

I'D BE curious to see a ranking of America's top Division I-AA or small-college towns, a poll similar to the one Sports Illustrated had this week for major-college towns that ranked Carbondale, Ill., dead last. I'd be curious to see how Cape compares to other towns. I think it was a feather in the cap of Cape fans that there were 11,100 fans at Houck Stadium on Saturday.

Take a seat, Scott

THIS PERTAINS to the Cardinals. They were talking about Scott Rolen needing some rest at third base. I think it would be a good idea if they put Bo Hart at third and bench Rolen.

No Cubbie love

ANOTHER GREAT picture of Sammy Sosa on your sports page. Wonder how many Cubs fans there are in Southeast Missouri that read the Missourian. Wonder how many Cardinal fans in Southeast Missouri that don't read the Missourian. Glad I don't subscribe.

Those who do subscribe probably saw this issue addressed in last Sunday's FanSpeak.

A vote for a skate park

JACKSON IS in great need of a safe place for our kids to rollerblade, bike, skateboard and use scooters. These types of sports, though not team oriented, are rapidly growing and gaining media attention. There are video games based on them, and they are attracting sponsorship dollars. Right now kids do not have any place they are legally allowed to enjoy or practice this recreational activity. Farmington is a prime example of turning a problem into a great attraction. We have been taking car loads of kids as often as we can to enjoy their skatepark. It is a clean, safe place enjoyed by kids of all ages and adults. Farmington took their old swimming pool facility and transformed it into this great park. What do parents do when they take their children somewhere? Spend money, go shopping, buy food. Jackson is a very sports-oriented city, evidenced by its ball fields, new soccer park, nice pool and golf course. Why not expand that love of sports to reach out to the kids that love wheels under their feet?

Share the advice, coach

JEROMY MCDOWELL is the way to go at quarterback. I like Jack Tomco, but sometimes you have to make a tough call. I'm glad Tim Billings has realized that. Maybe he can explain his reasoning to Mike Martz, who seems to have a much harder time with making logical quarterback decisions.