Talk is cheap (especially if you're a nobody)

If you talk trash about an opponent, you probably should be a player that fans, the other team and perhaps your teammates have heard of.

First Anthony Smith, the obscure Pittsburgh Steeler safety out of Syracuse, guarantees a victory against New England. The Patriots won by 21. Smith claimed he was misquoted. What he meant to say, perhaps, was that he hoped the Steelers would give the Patriots a good game and the spirit of sportsmanship would prevail.

Then Rutger's JR Inman says North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough has yet to be challenged this season by a player such as him.

"I really don't think he can guard me," Inman said.

Inman took 14 shots from the field Sunday. Three went in the basket. He added three rebounds. Hansbrough scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in North Carolina's 93-71 victory.

Although Smith and Inman ought to be embarrassed, I hope players continue to guarantee victories and talk about how they can't be guarded. Such talk makes a small game big and a big game bigger.

It's especially interesting when the guy that promises the victory or says he can't be guarded is wrong.

Comments

[LEW HEGE]

Tom,

I love the title of your col. And so true!

Lew Hege
Sports Editor
The Roanoke Rapids Daily Herald.