Sticking to one sport
Posted: Friday March 12, 1999 06:29 PM
Click here if you
have a question for Anthony Poindexter. He'll answer a question or two in
each week's diary entry.
When I haven't been rehabbing my knee here in California, I've had the
chance to do some things I've never done before. I got to see my first NHL
hockey game this week -- the San Jose Sharks beat the Phoenix Coyotes, 4-2.
Watching those guys check each other around, I think they might actually be
tougher than us football players. I've never been on ice skates, and I'm
not graceful on roller skates, so I know it wouldn't be pretty if I ever
tried to get out on the ice.
Now that I've seen hockey in person, I understand the rules a little
better, so I think I'll be more interested when I see a game on TV. I think
if I lived in a city up north, I could turn into a real hockey fan. I'm not
worried about the weather -- no matter where I end up in the draft, I'll be
happy, whether it's sunshine or blizzards.
I've also gone to my first-ever NBA game since I've been out here -- some
friends and I went to see a Warriors game. I've never been to an NFL game,
either -- it's funny, because I'll be on the field for my first one.
Football hasn't always been my only sport, though. When I was coming out of
high school, I was drafted by the Florida Marlins. I played center field
and shortstop in high school, but I didn't really give minor-league
baseball much thought.
They offered to pay my tuition and let me play baseball in the summer, like
Ricky Williams did with the Phillies the last couple of years. I don't
think I could do that -- I need some time to myself in the summer, away
from sports. I thought a little about playing baseball at Virginia my
freshman year, but between classes and football, that's enough to keep you
busy right there. Best I can tell, there is no off-season in the NFL either
if you want to stay in shape. Draft Mailbag
Do you feel that Florida State's Peter Warrick was the best receiver
you ever had to cover? If not, who was? -- Lamar Washington, Bradenton,
Fla.
Being a safety, I don't get locked in on one guy too often, but I've faced
a lot of great receivers in the ACC. Peter Warrick was tough every year,
and me and Torry Holt have had some great games back and forth. Georgia
Tech had Bryan Still,
who played for the Chargers last year, and Clemson had Tony Horn, who plays
for the Chiefs.
Torry might have been the toughest -- we did a lot of double and almost
triple-teaming him this year. I went down in the third quarter of the N.C.
State game last year, but we matched up a couple of times.
Are there any defensive backs in the NFL that you admire or try to
pattern your game after? Are there any receivers you're looking forward to
lining up against next year? -- Dave Bronson, Chicago
Whenever I saw Ronnie Lott play, I'd say to myself that I wanted to excel
the way he did in the NFL. I liked the way he played with such intensity.
He really changed the game from the safety position. These days, I might
see a guy make a move, a little flip step or something and try to put it
into my game.
Jerry Rice and I have the same agent and we've rehabbed at the same time a
few times. It's so strange to be sitting there next to him and think, "Man,
I'm talking to Jerry
Rice." He's the greatest receiver of all time, but he's really down to
Earth, so it's been really special to be able to talk to him.
Virginia defensive back Anthony Poindexter is projected as a first-round
pick in April's NFL Draft. Check back for his weekly diary entries every
Saturday at CNNSI.com.
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