Dabblin’ With the Cockspur: Eric Norwood Watches the Draft
posted by Roger Olivieri, 4/27/2009 01:13:00 PM
At some point in the Gamecock-rich fifth round, Norwood’s little voice spoke up again, “Kenny’s gonna’ be rich. Jasper – rich. Jamon – rich.”
Around the seventh round, Norwood’s voice probably spewed in anger, “Munnerlyn. Rich!”
He had to think to himself at least for a second, “I could buy a freaking Porsche today, had I only…”
The difference between those Norwood watched was simple. He probably respects some while questioning others. He probably thought, “E-Cook shoulda’ stuck around. We’d be rich together. Munnerlyn shoulda’ stuck around – ‘least he’d have a chance at actually being rich, rather than cut.”
Maybe the small voice understood Jared Cook’s decision, maybe not. At least Jared Cook knew his hard work was ready to pay off. He knew. Others gambled while the seniors had no choice.
It would be easy – so easy – to let depression get the best of you when should-be senior teammates show up to practice in street clothes. Munnerlyn walked into Spring Practice one evening oozing BLING – as if he were picked in the second round. Jared Cook was at the Spring Game – all smiles. (Emanuel Cook, on the other hand, was no where to be seen.)
Norwood must have a keener sense though. He must know the old adage, “Patience is a virtue.”
After all, Norwood showed up to spring practice ripped. He’s shredded baby fat since the dreaded Iowa game – built muscle. He now looks like a future NFL prospect. Not a third rounder, fifth rounder or a seventh rounder. Eric Norwood looks like a kid primed to clean up on the field and at the bank.
It would have been easy for him to say, “I already have the tackles behind the line of scrimmage record. I have nothing else to prove.”
No way. The kid passed up a HUGE pay day; you think tackles behind the line mean anything to him?
He wants to finish what he started – unlike Munnerlyn, unlike E. Cook and unlike Jared. The most talented of the bunch wants to leave South Carolina knowing he returned the work ethic and the love that Gamecock Nation gave to him.
Probably day dreaming in his dorm room, watching the draft and watching his friends get rich for two days, Norwood’s little voice spoke up again, “Got to study. Got to work out. Got to graduate. I’ll be richer than all of them.”
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Somewhere around the third round, Eric Norwood’s “little voice” – the one we all have – probably said, “Damn, Jared is freaking rich.”
At some point in the Gamecock-rich fifth round, Norwood’s little voice spoke up again, “Kenny’s gonna’ be rich. Jasper – rich. Jamon – rich.”
Around the seventh round, Norwood’s voice probably spewed in anger, “Munnerlyn. Rich!”
He had to think to himself at least for a second, “I could buy a freaking Porsche today, had I only…”
The difference between those Norwood watched was simple. He probably respects some while questioning others. He probably thought, “E-Cook shoulda’ stuck around. We’d be rich together. Munnerlyn shoulda’ stuck around – ‘least he’d have a chance at actually being rich, rather than cut.”
Maybe the small voice understood Jared Cook’s decision, maybe not. At least Jared Cook knew his hard work was ready to pay off. He knew. Others gambled while the seniors had no choice.
It would be easy – so easy – to let depression get the best of you when should-be senior teammates show up to practice in street clothes. Munnerlyn walked into Spring Practice one evening oozing BLING – as if he were picked in the second round. Jared Cook was at the Spring Game – all smiles. (Emanuel Cook, on the other hand, was no where to be seen.)
Norwood must have a keener sense though. He must know the old adage, “Patience is a virtue.”
After all, Norwood showed up to spring practice ripped. He’s shredded baby fat since the dreaded Iowa game – built muscle. He now looks like a future NFL prospect. Not a third rounder, fifth rounder or a seventh rounder. Eric Norwood looks like a kid primed to clean up on the field and at the bank.
It would have been easy for him to say, “I already have the tackles behind the line of scrimmage record. I have nothing else to prove.”
No way. The kid passed up a HUGE pay day; you think tackles behind the line mean anything to him?
He wants to finish what he started – unlike Munnerlyn, unlike E. Cook and unlike Jared. The most talented of the bunch wants to leave South Carolina knowing he returned the work ethic and the love that Gamecock Nation gave to him.
Probably day dreaming in his dorm room, watching the draft and watching his friends get rich for two days, Norwood’s little voice spoke up again, “Got to study. Got to work out. Got to graduate. I’ll be richer than all of them.”
Any parents out there want to point out a role model for kids? Don't look far, he wears #40.
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Roger Olivieri. Roger began working with GamecockCentral in December of 2007. He currently serves as the site's chief videographer. He may be reached by email at roger(at)gamecockcentral.com. Replace (at) with @.