Tom Talks

You're not in California

    The first practice was supposed to begin at 9 a.m., but by 8:30 the Wofford College football fields were full of players. The airhorn went off at 8:49, somebody yelled "Huddle! Huddle! Huddle!" and Carolina's training camp officially was under way.

    Some things never change. The heat was sufficiently oppressive, a coach yelled, "You're not in California!" -- somebody is always taking a shot at the state or a player who comes from there -- and running back Jonathan Stewart was on the sidelines rather than on the field.

    Some sights change. Seeing Jon Beason line up at weakside linebacker and Dan Connor in the middle was bizarre.

    I always look for a player few have heard of who is so outstanding he all but forces coaches to find a place for him on the roster. I didn't see him Thursday morning. But he'll emerge. He always does.

   

Hazing is so stupid Lane Kiffin probably likes it

    (1) Dez Bryant probably should have carried Roy Williams' shoulder pads. It's what rookies do in every NFL training camp I've ever visited. But I understand the rookie's objection. Hazing is stupid.

    I've read horror stories about the extreme hazing in which some organizations, fraternities among them, engage. Reminds me why I had no interest in joining a fraternity. I couldn't have been a member anyway -- I don't own khaki pants.

    The concept belongs to a different time, a time when people had less to do.

    (2) HBO's True Blood is the best show on TV. Big Love is second. Can you imagine television without cable? The only network show with a shot at making my top five is "Lie to Me."

    (3) I say this every year. If you love the NFL, you ought to drive to Spartanburg for training camp. Carolina's first practice is Thursday at 9 a.m. You will get closer to the players than you will at any time during the season.

    I'm not talking about getting close enought to collect autographs. Autographs are for kids. I'm talking about getting close to see enough to see who can play and who can't, who looks fast, who has lost a step, and which rookies look ready to go now.

    There are two qualities there that never change.

    One is the depth of talent. There are so many good players and, despite the size of the roster, so few opportunities.

   The other is the heat. Compared to Spartanburg, Charlotte is a cool breeze and a cold drink. Be prepared.

   (4) Lane Kiffin would make a good reality show. He might make a better reality show than a head coach.

  

   

Floyd doesn't want to fight

    Floyd Mayweather doesn't want to fight Manny Pacquiao. Can't blame him. Pacquiao is the best fighter in the world and Floyd has been on the senior circuit, fighting boxers long past their prime. I wrote before Mayweather's fight with Shane Mosley that Shane had nothing left. Some of you disagreed. Then you saw the fight.

   As popular as the Ultimate Fighting Championship has become, it can't generate a fight as big as Pacquiao-Mayweather. It's a brilliant opportunity for a fading sport. But if Mayweather isn't interested, it's a squandered opportunity.

    Dwayne Wade says the media will make too much of a losing streak by the Miami Heat. Good thing LeBron James didn't make too much of his decision to leave Cleveland and sign with the Heat.

    I didn't watch much of the British Open. But when I did, I saw more rocks, waves and Scottish scenery than gratuitous shots of Tiger. This is good. Tiger's story is old, and he is compelling only because of who he used to be.

What were you smoking?

   Last blog before vacation:

   Tennessee reserve quarterback Chris Simms says he was smoking cigarettes, and not pot,  before he was arrested in New York. If you make your living with your body, why are you smoking cigarettes? What do you do, take a drag before you run sprints in the Nashville training camp heat? How's your wind when you report for the second practice during two-a-days? As defenses go, this one reeks.

    Watching Argentina get pounded by Germany in the World Cup was like watching the Phoenix Suns get pounded in the NBA playoffs, except that a 4-0 defeat in soccer is like a 135-30 defeat in the NBA. Argentina is entertaining, a perpetual full-court press, with little interest in defense. I'm not a soccer fan, but I've thoroughly enjoyed the World Cup. To continue to, I need somebody to pull for. Spain is the only country still playing that I've spent time in. My  mom's mom was from Germany and her dad was one generation removed. But any connection I felt to the country ended when I studied the language in college. I never liked being the dumbest guy in the class. Maybe it will be Uruguay, maybe it will be the Netherlands, maybe it will be Spain. I loved Madrid. I won't know until the games begin. But I have to find somebody. I didn't enjoy the NBA finals nearly as much as I should have because I pulled against Los Angeles and Boston.

   I've done several national sports talk shows recently. Most ask how the Panthers will do this season. I have no idea. It's too early. Training camp usually offers answers. Based on what I saw at the OTAs, I can say that second-round pick Jimmy Clausen is not  a great athlete and does not have a great arm. I don't know if he can lead. But he will be the best passer Carolina has ever had. 

    Interesting story in the Observer Sunday about athletes that take chances in the off-season. Some people go through life as spectators. Others participate. If you prefer to play -- and why wouldn't you? -- it would be tough to turn that instinct off when the season ends. Do you suddenly stop riding the snowmobile, flying down the dirt path on your mountain bike or playing touch football? Steve Smith put himself in position to be hurt by playing in the flag football league at the Siskey YMCA. But I understand the instinct.

    Got my email invitation this week to play in the Siskey YMCA flag football league. Apparently there is an opening.

    People know I like going to Spartanburg for Carolina's training camp. Because this is a slow time in sports, they figure I can't wait. I can wait. I like camp. I learn more about football there than I do during the season. Also, none of the players dislike me yet. But I love summer. There are dirt paths to ride, miles to run, water to swim in, dogs to walk, meat and vegetables to grill, wine and beer to drink, hot days and, I hope, cool nights. And nobody blows a whistle. Camp can't wait.