I'm excited....

[Jay_Lupo]

I don't know how many of you know either of these two things, so I'll tell ya. 1) I'm a sportwriter, not big-time by any means WHATSOEVER!! I just got out of school and got a job at my hometown paper which has a circulation of 35,000. A damn good start, but that's it.
2) Matt Jones is my cousin. Not first cousin or real close or anything. Matt's Grandad and my grandmother, both die-hard hog fans, are brother-sister. So our mom's are 1st cousins and I think that'd make me either 2nd or 3rd cousins w/ him, not sure. I don't know him at all though. I know his family very well, all the way down to his mother and father. But not him.


Anyway, the point of that was this: I'm 99.9% sure that I'll be attending Matt's draft party on Saturday at his house. The guy who covers the Razorbacks for the fayetteville paper will be doing the main story via phone interview, but since I have access (my family recieved a "general" invite) my editor in Pine Bluff wants me to go and do a sidebar focusing on the party itself and Matt's reaction. My story will run for my paper as well as the Fayetteville Morning News, and likewise with the other guy. There's gonna be an espn crew there and a reporter I'm supposed to interview. Needless to say, I'm pretty pumped about it. I just thought I'd say it b/c in all honestly I just can't contain myself :) Any ideas for any angles I could take. I welcome suggestions. I know that there are some damn, damn fine writers on here...cough, cough, fernando. Many others. Feel free to holla.


**Oh, this may clear up to some of you why I'm such an MJ fan. I've literally watched him since he was in the 9th grade, so I'm very, very partial to him. Back when people were saying he'd never do anything at Arkansas and I came to his defense, I looked like a jackass. Now I look pretty smart :)

Oh, and to Buzbee's defense (if he ever reads this) he was always pretty high on Jones too.

[WayzUp]

Dang, I'd be excited if I were you too Jay....there was a time when I wanted to be a writer so I can completely relate to how big a deal this must be for you. I'd probably be too excited to even put a gameplan together...

But generally, I would avoid asking the questions you know are going to be asked a million times (i.e. where do you think he'll go?, Randel-El comparisons, do you think you got what it takes to be a WR in NFL, etc. etc.) and be the guy who asks the [/I]other[I] questions. What questions those are, you're going to have to ask the writer inside you for those. :rolleyes: Maybe put a timeline together from the year you first know of Matt Jones playing football to high school (with accomplishments & dates if you got 'em) and bring everyone reading your story along Matt Jones' football life up to the party. Then, instead of just having a year or specific date, you can start draft day with what time Matt wakes up and take the reader through the day hour by hour...you know what I'm saying; like this:
1981: Matt Jones plays first game of Pop Warner, blah blah
another date: another accomplishment
1999: Starts first varsity game as a freshman...throw in stats/accomplishments
another date: another accomplishment
2001: Starts first game at Arkansas
4/23/05 8:04am: wakes up, eats & reads paper, etc
4/23/05 10:30am: first draft preview show comes on, Jones predicted to go #X
etc...etc....etc....

I know it's a pretty commonly used template but with your knowledge and personal ties, not to mention BEING THERE WHEN HE'S PICKED, you should be able to inject that special something that no other story about 'Matt Jones' draft day' is going to have. Not sure how many words you've been given to work with (if you have a space limitation) but you could go as far as taking a straw poll from family members/press people there as to where they think he's going to go, put those in the timeline BEFORE he's picked, include your own and see who's closest...i dunno, i'm just thinking as I type now haha! :D

Good luck dood...i'm excited for you. That's awesome! :D



Thinking out loud here, bear with me:

[WooHawg]

That is awesome man, I would be excited too. As far as angles go I'd be no help there as I wouldn't even know where to start. I'll just be hoping he doesn't go to the Eagles! Can't wait for Saturday, have a good time Jay.

[JBryant12]

Thats great news....Congrats and have a blast...when its done you should post your story on here or give a link to where we can read it....

[OrangeCrush]

The big question is when will Matt get drafted. His stock has soared since post-season games started and individual workouts began. He is truly a freak of nature(this is a compliment) and most NFL people are wondering how he could help their team. I hope Matt gets picked by a solid organization. While being one of the top 10 picks is better financially, going a little later could see him end up with a chance to go to the playoffs in the first year.

Anyways, back to the big question. You are going to see a wide range of emotions as the draft progresses. I know when I have watched the draft, that clock for time in between picks can't go fast enough. I'm sure it goes even slower for potential 1st and 2nd round picks. Pay attention to the emontions of those around you. It will be interesting to see how the family reacts during the day. Since you are family ;) I'm sure you can report on this without putting the family in bad light. That is an easy one and I'm sure you thought of this.

Second, watch the amount of phone calls Matt gets from NFL teams. I am curious to see if he gets a bunch of calls form NFL teams or only gets calls as certain teams are on the clock. Heck, it would be interesting to know how many phone calls Matt gets period. Will there be friends and family blowing up the phone, because they cannot be there?

Third would be reaction to the draft. Do the people care at all about who else goes where in front of Matt? How many people will be doing their version of Mel Kiper at the Jones party? I'm sure while all people there will become fans of whatever team Matt is drafted by, I'm sure there are allegiances to NFL teams in place for some of the people there.

Fourth would be where does everyone want Matt to go or predictions from family and friends on where Matt will end up. That could be an interesting poll.

#5 would go to the effect of watching how the media there does there job and interacts with the friends and family. It would be interesting to see your veersion of how the media interacts at this party.

I do not know if any of this helps or is stuff you have not thought of. I hope you will let us know where and when we can read your article. Is there anywhere online we can read your writing for your local paper? I'm happy for you and the oppurtunity to be a part of this. For selfish reasons alone, I hope the Titans find a way to make Matt a part of their team. Besides Nola and Hot'lanta, this would be a fairly close place for the Arkansas faithfull to see Matt play on Sundays.

[gopig]

Awesome news Jay! I don't have to tell you I'm jealous....

I'm no writer, so I can't really help there. I will be most interested to see, tho, whether he retains his characteristic "no worries" attitude during the draft. Could the draft actually make him nervous? Or will he sit there like he's just watching the weather?

I'd also be curious to see if there was anyone else he got excited for in the draft. Will he be happy if Pollack goes early, or something.

Enjoy it!

[fernandomike]

I do really like WayZup's and Orange Crush's suggestions. Since you are covering the party, the excitement and nerves associated with draft day are a must. I would try to start it as upbeat, positive, and fun as possible. Draft day should be a joyous day for Matt and the incredibly few players in the world both lucky and gifted enough to be called on so early. I love the idea of interviewing Matt's relatives in regard to establishing a history of Matt's athletic feats. How much of an impact did his father's coaching career have on Matt? When did they know that he was a special athlete? How is Ma Jones handling all of this? The straw poll that WayZup suggests sounds like fun. I would just have them either guess a team or pick their favorite team without focusing so much on the actual draft position since that may add to their stress. OrangeCrush makes great points about detailing the process i.e. phone calls and such.
When interviewing Matt, aside from relating his reaction, I would focus on the recent events and the future. How did it feel to go from a well-known player in the SEC to someone who was reportedly high on everyone's draft board? What will be his focus between now and training camp? Though that question might be better suited for the main story.
Jay, I am very excited for you, Matt, and the rest of your family. I will definitely be glued to the television. My personal choices are the Steelers and the Titans, but I will obviously pull for him no matter where he winds up playing. I also have great confidence that both you and Matt will do the family proud.

[Tidetalk]

I don't know how many of you know either of these two things, so I'll tell ya. 1) I'm a sportwriter, not big-time by any means WHATSOEVER!! I just got out of school and got a job at my hometown paper which has a circulation of 35,000. A damn good start, but that's it.
2) Matt Jones is my cousin. Not first cousin or real close or anything. Matt's Grandad and my grandmother, both die-hard hog fans, are brother-sister. So our mom's are 1st cousins and I think that'd make me either 2nd or 3rd cousins w/ him, not sure. I don't know him at all though. I know his family very well, all the way down to his mother and father. But not him.


Anyway, the point of that was this: I'm 99.9% sure that I'll be attending Matt's draft party on Saturday at his house. The guy who covers the Razorbacks for the fayetteville paper will be doing the main story via phone interview, but since I have access (my family recieved a "general" invite) my editor in Pine Bluff wants me to go and do a sidebar focusing on the party itself and Matt's reaction. My story will run for my paper as well as the Fayetteville Morning News, and likewise with the other guy. There's gonna be an espn crew there and a reporter I'm supposed to interview. Needless to say, I'm pretty pumped about it. I just thought I'd say it b/c in all honestly I just can't contain myself :) Any ideas for any angles I could take. I welcome suggestions. I know that there are some damn, damn fine writers on here...cough, cough, fernando. Many others. Feel free to holla.


**Oh, this may clear up to some of you why I'm such an MJ fan. I've literally watched him since he was in the 9th grade, so I'm very, very partial to him. Back when people were saying he'd never do anything at Arkansas and I came to his defense, I looked like a jackass. Now I look pretty smart :)

Oh, and to Buzbee's defense (if he ever reads this) he was always pretty high on Jones too.

That is awesome! You might know (or know of) my uncle who lives in Little Rock -- Dave Woodman. He was a sports director in Little Rock for a number of years and even did Arkansas play by play a long time ago (before you were born).

[Jay_Lupo]

Wow :eek: , I never expected a plethora of stuff like this. First of all, let me thank you guys so, so, so much for all the suggestions. I thought they were all great and would easily make up a great story. There's not much to writing and most of you could do just as well and/or better than me, so don't sell yourselves short. I really thought there were some fabulous ideas. I'll no doubt use some of them and will post a link to my story on sunday. I'm about to have to go to work, so I must be brief. But I will be back on tonight to thank each and everyone of you personally. I'm going to find out today how long it needs to be, ect..., ect.... I do know that the other guy will focus on the draft story and more on Matt, while I'll focus on the party and everything going on there. I'll be back tonight or while I'm at work to thank you guys. I really appreciate it.

And Dave Woodman sounds very familiar. I know I've heard it somewhere. I can't say that I know him though. :o

I know all you arkies have to be envious :). I haven't talked to Matt since we were kids, so I'm gonna be like a giddy little school girl around him. :D

[Jay_Lupo]

Awesome news Jay! I don't have to tell you I'm jealous....

I'm no writer, so I can't really help there. I will be most interested to see, tho, whether he retains his characteristic "no worries" attitude during the draft. Could the draft actually make him nervous? Or will he sit there like he's just watching the weather?

I'd also be curious to see if there was anyone else he got excited for in the draft. Will he be happy if Pollack goes early, or something.

Enjoy it!


Forgot to respond to this. Man Gopig, you know MJ will just be chilling. He'll be as calm as he was as if he were leading a SEC Division championship winning drive against a nasty defense in 30 seconds, as calm as throwing a TD pass as time expired to force overtime, as calm as running around his own end zone with minutes left in Knoxville and completing a 92-yd td pass to tie the game and force overtime, he'll be as calm as, well....you get the picture.

Nothing phases this dude.

[gopig]

Forgot to respond to this. Man Gopig, you know MJ will just be chilling. He'll be as calm as he was as if he were leading a SEC Division championship winning drive against a nasty defense in 30 seconds, as calm as throwing a TD pass as time expired to force overtime, as calm as running around his own end zone with minutes left in Knoxville and completing a 92-yd td pass to tie the game and force overtime, he'll be as calm as, well....you get the picture.

Nothing phases this dude.

I'd be sure about that if there was anything he could do... but all he can do now is sit back and wait. I've gotta wonder if that'll be harder on him. Even in our big games, it's usually Arkansas with the ball last and things in his hands. We rarely ever have a last minute defensive stand.

You're right tho -- dude is "gellin"

[Jay_Lupo]

Well, it's a shame, but none of your fabulous ideas are going to go to good use. My mom was talking with Matt's mom yesterday and she told her that his agent had given the Ft. Smith paper exclusive access to the party. It would've been nice if the Fayetteville guys could've done their work and researched a little bit so I could've known this up front. I was always planning on going, but not doing a story untill the other day and the only reason I was doing it was for them. They couldn't get in, and started to salivate on themselves when they found out I could. So, I'm still going to go, but I won't be writing a story. Which sucks, b/c I really had my hopes up. That would've been a good clip for me, but oh well. I guess being there is the main thing. Sorry to mislead you guys, but when I posted originally I thought I was doing a story. F*ckin morning news guys. :mad:

[OrangeCrush]

Well, it's a shame, but none of your fabulous ideas are going to go to good use. My mom was talking with Matt's mom yesterday and she told her that his agent had given the Ft. Smith paper exclusive access to the party. It would've been nice if the Fayetteville guys could've done their work and researched a little bit so I could've known this up front. I was always planning on going, but not doing a story untill the other day and the only reason I was doing it was for them. They couldn't get in, and started to salivate on themselves when they found out I could. So, I'm still going to go, but I won't be writing a story. Which sucks, b/c I really had my hopes up. That would've been a good clip for me, but oh well. I guess being there is the main thing. Sorry to mislead you guys, but when I posted originally I thought I was doing a story. F*ckin morning news guys. :mad:

Jay, I know a lot of us hope you will present your thoughts on what happens this coming weekend. Maybe, it will not be a story in the paper as you and all of us hoped, but you can still right a story. Trying to think positive, you can put out the story you want to write about. I think the angle you were lined-up to write about is great, but now you are free to do whatever you want. I'm sure everyone here who is interested would be happy to pass your story along. This story might even help increase the membership total of SEC talk. I'm sure there is nothing that I can say to make this situation better, but hold the line, hate the horns, and things will work out.

[WayzUp]

Well, it's a shame, but none of your fabulous ideas are going to go to good use. My mom was talking with Matt's mom yesterday and she told her that his agent had given the Ft. Smith paper exclusive access to the party. It would've been nice if the Fayetteville guys could've done their work and researched a little bit so I could've known this up front. I was always planning on going, but not doing a story untill the other day and the only reason I was doing it was for them. They couldn't get in, and started to salivate on themselves when they found out I could. So, I'm still going to go, but I won't be writing a story. Which sucks, b/c I really had my hopes up. That would've been a good clip for me, but oh well. I guess being there is the main thing. Sorry to mislead you guys, but when I posted originally I thought I was doing a story. F*ckin morning news guys. :mad:
I'd do a story anyway.....1) it'd be awesome practice for your career down the road and 2) no law against your posting it here or anywhere else as long as you aren't plagerizing. Shoot, I'd carry a little notepad in my back pocket & make bathroom breaks or whatever every so often to scribble down notes so you don't forget what people say/predict.

Seriously, you have to ask yourself the question of how many more opportunities like this are going to present themselves to you in your lifetime? If there was ever a case that CARPE DIEM were a fitting cliche, this is it my friend. :D Take advantage of it.

How does one go about negotiating exclusive rights to a party anyway?? That's absurd...lol :rolleyes: :confused:

[fernandomike]

Oh man, I am sorry to hear that Jay. Like you said, it would have made a fine clip. It should still be a wonderful day for you, Matt, and the rest of your family. Let us know the details. I am sure that the vast majority of us will be pulling for Matt and the rest of the SEC guys to go as high as possible. Either way, he will make a fine pro.

[supergenius]

Put laxitives in the morning guy's punch or offer him a bowl of Colon Blow cereal!

[fernandomike]

Lupo, I hope that you weren't late to the party. Jones went awfully early. I remember our initial exchange where I said that Jones would be a solid second round pick while you maintained that the first was a distinct possibility. It shows that you are a heck of a lot smarter than I am. I am tossing down a few in honor of my guys, your guys, and all sec guys (all of whom I now consider my guys). Congrats to you and your family.

[gopig]

So what's the deal Jay, are you under a gag order? I know you aren't writing a story about the party and Jones, but I still want to know! No problem if you feel you shouldn't say anything... but if you can I want to here it.


Here's to Jones, best pick in the draft! :cool:

[Jay_Lupo]

So what's the deal Jay, are you under a gag order? I know you aren't writing a story about the party and Jones, but I still want to know! No problem if you feel you shouldn't say anything... but if you can I want to here it.


Here's to Jones, best pick in the draft! :cool:


My bad man :). I was moving some stuff home from fayetteville on saturday, so I made about a 2-hour pit stop at Jones' house. I left before he was drafted but it was a lot of fun. He was expecting to go anywhere from 20-32. I'm sure he was very happy with the No.21 selection. Matt's mom told my mom that Phili called the Jags 4 times trying to trade for Matt. I think it's a great fit for him and I think they're planning on using all of his talents. They're not just going to limit him to catching the ball.

You should check out the jag's homepage. It's got a highlight video of matt. It's got exclusive war room footage of the Jags as they were drafting jones. It's got Jones' press conference from yesterday in Jacksonville. It's got Del Rio and Shack Harris (vp player personnel) comments on drafting Jones. A lot of great stuff. The message board already has 100s of Arkansas fans that have now converted to Jag fans. You should join man. They're real excited about him. check it out www.jaguars.com

[gopig]

My bad man :). I was moving some stuff home from fayetteville on saturday, so I made about a 2-hour pit stop at Jones' house. I left before he was drafted but it was a lot of fun. He was expecting to go anywhere from 20-32. I'm sure he was very happy with the No.21 selection. Matt's mom told my mom that Phili called the Jags 4 times trying to trade for Matt. I think it's a great fit for him and I think they're planning on using all of his talents. They're not just going to limit him to catching the ball.

You should check out the jag's homepage. It's got a highlight video of matt. It's got exclusive war room footage of the Jags as they were drafting jones. It's got Jones' press conference from yesterday in Jacksonville. It's got Del Rio and Shack Harris (vp player personnel) comments on drafting Jones. A lot of great stuff. The message board already has 100s of Arkansas fans that have now converted to Jag fans. You should join man. They're real excited about him. check it out www.jaguars.com


Excellent, I'll hit that message board and add myself to the list. I'm really excited to see how they use him. I've tried watching some of the videos on that site but they're giving me all kinds of grief. I really hate streaming technology, in almost every case it is used I would REALLY prefer to just download the video and watch/use it as I will. I've got a good connection but streaming from that site just gives me a garbage experience. Even after playing it through once it still acts up.

Thanks for the info :cool:

[Jay_Lupo]

Mine was the same way. The best way is to just bear with it the first time through and right before it gets to the end (the Ole Miss 75-yd td last one) move the cursor back to the beginning and it runs through smoothly. Don't let it run all the way through though, or you'll get nowhere.