MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / April 25, 1999

A few thoughts to ponder while waiting for the Saints to sign Ricky Williams (helpful hint: bring a Snickers bar).

It’s funny to watch all the grades come out for the NFL Draft the day after the draft is completed. Wait three to five years before makingassessments. Then you can grade a team not only for the selections theymade but also how they used the players they selected.

Look at last year with the Randy Moss situation. The Vikings gambled andselected him and he turned out to be the Rookie of the Year because of how the Vikings used him. Do you honestly believe that he would have had thesame kind of year if he played for the Saints? It’s also funny to listen to all the talk around draft time. It’s often justthat – talk. Cleveland was going to draft everybody but Tim Couch. So whathappens the night before the draft? The Browns agree to a contract with Couch and make him the first overall pick.

At one point, Dallas was supposed to be in love with LSU defensive lineman Arnold Miller. Miller ends up going undrafted and is signed as afree agent by the Browns.

Kudos to the Colorado Avalanche and Rockies for postponing games this week in the wake of the tragedy at Columbine High School. To play a gameat this time would not be fair to the communities or the teams involved.

Kerry Wood and Andres Galarraga are out for the season. Moises Alou willmiss much of the season with an injury. Barry Bonds is scheduled to be out10 weeks. You think the National League lineup for the All-Star game willhave a different look this year? Speaking of all-star lineups, check out the commitments for the Compaq Classic to be held two weeks from now. Davis Love III, John Daly, BradFaxon, Steve Elkington, Ben Crenshaw, John Huston, Andrew Magee, Nick Price, Payne Stewart and Hal Sutton.

Not a bad leaderboard for a tournament that appeared to be on its way out a few years ago.

Ok, you know the stars are out of alignment when you see this bit of news – Cal Ripken Jr. goes on the disabled list. That happens about as often as aPhiladelphia Phillie pitcher not going on the disabled list.

Just another example that when as many teams make the playoffs like they do in basketball and hockey, the regular season means little.

Lafayette had defeated New Orleans something like 10 out of 11 times during the season. So what happens in the East Coach Hockey Leagueplayoffs? The Brass win three straight games to overcome a 2-0 deficit in games, the last victory on the Ice Gators’ home ice.

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