The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet

Student news without fear or favor
The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet

The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet

Student news without fear or favor

James Heck, Author

All content by James Heck
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Hornets prepare for the upcoming track and field season

James Heck
December 6, 2012

Track and field is truly a year-round sport. The Sacramento State men’s and women’s track team has been preparing for the 2013 track and field season since September, training roughly 20 hours per...

What the Heck?

What the Heck?

James Heck
December 5, 2012

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One of the biggest myths in the National Football League is the idea that a player cannot lose his job after suffering an injury and missing playing time.

When a player goes down, there is already a backup ready to take his spot. All it takes is one injury to another player and the backup now becomes the starter.

Now, whether or not the original backup eventually becomes the full-time starter depends on the situation with the injured player.

NFL players have an average career of three-and-a-half years. It is a mistake for them to become comfortable and think they will play forever.

It is an even bigger mistake to think they are not replaceable. Whether the injury is serious or not, a football player is only one play away from being knocked out of the game – either physically or through demotion.

I think the reason this is such a hot topic in the football community is because people have different views on whether or not being replaced is fair.

To be honest, I do not know what is fair and what is not fair. That is a gray area to me.

Perhaps the only concrete reason to claim an injured player’s swapping is fair is if the newcomer provides more potential and ability at the position.

There are some players in the NFL that are unquestionably elite at their respective position.

Players like quarterbacks Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers on offense and linebackers Patrick Willis and DeMarcus Ware on defense are simply too good to be easily replaced.

If any of these players were to get injured, their job would not be in jeopardy.

Controversies only occur when there is a legitimate brewing of tension between choosing the original player and his replacement.

The most recent controversy in the NFL involves the San Francisco 49ers’ quarterbacks Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick.

Smith, the eight-year veteran, boasted his best season under center in 2011 after leading the 49ers to the NFC Championship game against the New York Giants. The previous six years were very up and down for Smith and the team. Many fans, including the media, had given up on him.

While his stock has risen the last season and a half, many still doubt him.

Smith was knocked out of the Nov. 11 game against the St. Louis Rams with a concussion and replaced by second-year quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Kaepernick has started two games since then - against the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints - and played very well in route to winning both games.

I do not think there would be a quarterback controversy if Kaepernick did not display a different, and better, level of play than Smith had – but he has.

Kaepernick’s ceiling is unknown, but it undoubtedly is higher than Smith’s.

For the last eight seasons, I have come to understand the type of player Smith is. He is careful with the football, relies on check-downs and is not a deep-threat quarterback.

Now, this is fine and wins games, but fans want more.

Kaepernick, although relatively still unknown in his abilities, provides more ability at the position. He is currently on a hot streak and should get better each game.

Smith will lose his job to Kaepernick, but what the future holds remains to be seen.

I personally do not think it is fair. After all, Smith has been a winning quarterback for the past two seasons.

But when Kaepernick had to step up for the injured Smith, he outplayed him in every way. Kaepernick under center opens the 49ers passing offense up and creates a new, explosive dimension it lacked before.

James Heck can be reached at [email protected]

Golf teams bundle up for winter break

James Heck
December 5, 2012

After concluding the fall portion of their season, the Sacramento State men’s and women’s golf teams head into winter break reenergizing and preparing for the remaining meets in the spring. Even though...

Runners brace for cold

Runners brace for cold

James Heck
November 28, 2012

During the winter months, sporting events can face unexpected scheduling issues, facing either suspensions of games or canceling of games altogether.   Many sports have the luxury of being...

Byers and Rea lead cross country in NCAA West Regional competition

Byers and Rea lead cross country in NCAA West Regional competition

James Heck
November 10, 2012

The Sacramento State men’s cross country team finished 18th and the women’s team did not score today at the NCAA West Regional in Seattle. Reesey Byers led the men’s team with a 42nd place finish...

Cross country has strong showing in Davis

Cross country has strong showing in Davis

James Heck
November 3, 2012

The Sacramento State men’s cross country team finished second and the women’s team finished first today at the Doc Adams Invitational at the Putah Creek Reserve course in Davis. Junior Reesey Byers...

The men’s soccer team huddling before the game against UC Davis.

Aggies put an end to men’s soccer season

James Heck
November 3, 2012

The Sacramento State men’s soccer team lost today 2-1 to Big West Conference opponent UC Davis at Aggie Field. The Hornets (8-8-2, 5-4-1 Big West) headed into the game tied with Cal Poly (11-6-1, 6-3-1...

File Photo

Hornets fall short to UCSB men’s soccer

James Heck
November 1, 2012

The Sacramento State men’s soccer team suffered a 2-1 loss today to Big West Conference opponent UC Santa Barbara at Hornet Field. The Hornets (8-7-2, 5-3-1 Big Sky) have lost three of their last four...

Reesey Byers runs like the wind, leads cross country

Reesey Byers runs like the wind, leads cross country

James Heck
October 31, 2012

He humbly shook my hand the first time I met him. He seemed shy and reserved, probably nervous. He tricked me. When discussing his experiences running, junior Reesey Byers can hardly contain his enthusiasm....

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Cross Country teams wrap up Big Sky Championships

James Heck
October 28, 2012

The Sacramento State men’s cross country team placed fifth and the women’s team placed eighth at the Big Sky Conference Cross Country Championships Saturday at Buffalo Park in Flagstaff, Ariz. Northern...

Cross country runners prepare for conference championships

Cross country runners prepare for conference championships

James Heck
October 22, 2012

The Sacramento State men’s and women’s cross country teams will compete at the Big Sky Championships on Saturday at Buffalo Park in Flagstaff, Ariz.   For the first time in the 2012...

The men’s soccer team huddling before the game against UC Davis.

The Hornets get stung by UC Davis men’s soccer

James Heck
October 20, 2012

The Sacramento State men’s soccer team lost to Big West Conference opponent UC Davis 3-1 today at Hornet Field. Throughout their first five conference games, the Hornets allowed only three goals while...

Men’s soccer stumbles at UCSB

James Heck
October 16, 2012

The Sacramento State men’s soccer team suffered its first Big West Conference loss 2-0 to No. 16 ranked UC Santa Barbara. In the eighth minute, Ema Boateng and Nic Ryan of UCSB each scored a goal and...

Cross country falters in Santa Clara

Cross country falters in Santa Clara

James Heck
October 14, 2012

The Sacramento State men’s cross country team finished seventh and the women’s team finished 11th today at the Santa Clara Bronco Invitational at San Jose. Junior Reesey Byers led the men’s team...

Men’s soccer hopes for its fifth consecutive conference win against Cal Poly

James Heck
October 10, 2012

The Sacramento State men’s soccer team will compete in its fifth consecutive Big West Conference match of the season Friday as it takes on Cal Poly at Hornet Field. The Hornets (7-4-1, 4-0 Big West)...

Men’s soccer remains undefeated in conference to hold first place in Northern Division

James Heck
October 8, 2012

The Sacramento State men’s soccer team continued its winning streak in the Big West Conference Sunday as it beat UC Riverside 1-0 at Hornet Field. The Hornets (7-4-1, 4-0 Big West) have won their past...

Men’s soccer holds first place in Northern Division with an undefeated conference record

James Heck
October 6, 2012

The Sacramento State men’s soccer team continued its four-game winning streak by defeating Big West Conference opponent CSU Fullerton 2-1 Friday at Hornet Field. The Hornets (6-4-1, 3-0 Big West) remain...

cross country freshman

Women’s cross country drops to Nevada in unexpected relay race

James Heck
October 6, 2012

The Sacramento State women’s cross country team lost to the Nevada Wolf Pack Friday in a dual meet at the Rancho San Rafael Park at the Nevada Chase Race. The Wolf Pack beat the Hornets 23-32 in their...

Mens soccer is noticed as Big West Conference awards Oliver and Ikyurav

Men’s soccer is noticed as Big West Conference awards Oliver and Ikyurav

James Heck
October 6, 2012

The Sacramento State men’s soccer team featured two recipients of the Big West Conference weekly awards as forward Isaac Ikyurav received the offensive player of the week and goal keeper Bryan Oliver...

What the Heck? Is with school spirit?

James Heck
October 3, 2012

When it comes to school participation at sporting events at Sacramento State, it is not the buzz of hornets I hear – it is the sound of crickets. I think a major problem with the lack of school participation...

Mens soccer ends a two-game conference matchup with shutout performance

Men’s soccer ends a two-game conference matchup with shutout performance

James Heck
September 30, 2012

The Sacramento State men’s soccer team won its second consecutive game against a Big West conference opponent today as it beat CSU Northridge 1-0 in double-overtime at Matador Soccer Field. Competing...

Reesey Byers leads mens cross country to a seventh-place finish

Reesey Byers leads men’s cross country to a seventh-place finish

James Heck
September 29, 2012

The Sacramento State men’s cross country team finished seventh overall today at the Dellinger Invitational in Springfield, Ore. BYU and Oregon dominated the meet, finishing first with 32 points and second...

Cross country faces obstacles

James Heck
September 27, 2012

Adapting to change is something the 2012 Sacramento State men’s and women’s cross country teams do on a weekly basis. Each week the runners compete on a different cross country course. No two races...

Mens soccer breaks a three-game losing streak and gets the win against UNLV

Men’s soccer breaks a three-game losing streak and gets the win against UNLV

James Heck
September 23, 2012

The Sacramento State men’s soccer team defeated the University of Las Vegas 3-2 in overtime today at Hornet Field. The Hornets (3-4-1) snapped a three game losing streak as they won their final non-conference...

Volleyball takes a four-set loss to conference opponent Southern Utah

Volleyball takes a four-set loss to conference opponent Southern Utah

James Heck
September 22, 2012

The Sacramento State women’s volleyball team suffered its third consecutive loss to a Big Sky conference opponent today when it traveled to Centrum Arena to take on Southern Utah. The Hornets now have...

Mens cross country suffers its first loss of the season on Santa Clarita soil

Men’s cross country suffers its first loss of the season on Santa Clarita soil

James Heck
September 21, 2012

The Sacramento State men’s cross country team suffered its first loss of the 2012 season today at the Pac-12 Preview at the Robinson Ranch Golf Course in Santa Clarita. Northern Arizona won the men’s...

Hornet runners plan post-college careers

Hornet runners plan post-college careers

James Heck
September 19, 2012

For the cross country runners on the Sacramento State men’s and women’s teams, the emphasis of their training and commitment pertain to collegiate running. After college, the different avenues runners...

Womens cross-country accomplishes first win of the season in San Francisco

Women’s cross-country accomplishes first win of the season in San Francisco

James Heck
September 14, 2012

The Sacramento State women’s cross-country team earned its first victory of the 2012 season Friday at the Speedway Meadow at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.   Sac State won the women’s...

Cross country practices are at 8 a.m. to prepare for meets. Morgan Dampier, Emily Johnston, Brianna Luna and Stephanie Rasmussen (all pictured above) are freshmen.

Cross country acquires fresh legs

James Heck
September 12, 2012

The 2012 Sacramento State women’s cross country team features a predominantly young core of inexperienced collegiate level runners.   Kathleen Raske, director of track and field and cross...

Mens soccer collects its second loss of the season at San Francisco

Men’s soccer collects its second loss of the season at San Francisco

James Heck
September 9, 2012

The University of San Francisco men’s soccer team defeated the Sacramento State Hornets 2-1 Sunday afternoon at Negoesco Stadium. The Hornets (2-2-1) remain winless on the road, but undefeated at home....

Cross-country remains undefeated and comes out on top in mens race

Cross-country remains undefeated and comes out on top in men’s race

James Heck
September 8, 2012

The Sacramento State men’s cross country team placed first overall for the second straight week and the women’s team placed third overall at the eighth annual Hornet Jamboree Saturday at Granite...

Sac State cross country to host Hornet Jamboree

Sac State cross country to host Hornet Jamboree

James Heck
September 5, 2012

The eighth annual Sacramento State Hornet Jamboree will take place on Saturday at Sacramento Granite Regional Park. The Hornet Jamboree is the only cross country home meet of the 2012 season.   Approximately...

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Men and women’s cross country dominate season opener with first and second place finishes

James Heck
September 1, 2012

The Sacramento State men’s cross country team placed first and the women placed second overall at the UC Davis Aggie Open on Friday at the Putah Creek Reserve Course in Davis.   Sac State...

McClatchy Tribune

Six tips for a solid tailgating experience

James Heck
August 29, 2012

There is excitement looming in the air in anticipation for the kickoff of the 2012 Sacramento State football season. As the Hornets look to expand on last season’s record of 4-7, students, alumni and...

Dodgeball returns to The Well for ninth annual dodgeball tournament

James Heck
August 28, 2012

The Well will be hosting Sacramento State’s ninth annual dodgeball tournament on Thursday In collaboration with the Dodgeball Throwdown for The WELLcome Back event. This will be the first year the dodgeball...

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