Monday Mailbag: March 23, 2020

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

This week’s Monday Mailbag features questions about the OHSAA winter sports tournament and spring sports, Parkway and Columbus Grove and Phillip Rivers and the Colts.

Q: Since OHSAA hasn’t made a decision on winter sports tournaments, how about this suggestion: let the kids practice, play the winter sports tournaments whenever school is back in session and push spring sports into the summer. Problem solved. Name withheld upon request

A: I see what you’re saying, but it’s not that easy.

As of this moment, we don’t know when school is going to resume. April 6 seems unlikely and Governor Mike DeWine has said more than once that schools will probably be closed longer, perhaps for the rest of the academic year. If schools are going to be closed longer, it’ll be hard to justify allowing teams to compete.

As far as spring sports in the summer, I’ve heard this suggestion before, but I don’t see it happening. Many student-athletes already have summer commitments, including athletic camps, AAU, Legion or ACME ball, jobs, etc.

Best case scenario – classes somehow resume on April 6, winter sports tournaments are somehow allowed to resume and spring sports will begin April 11. Realistically, some or all of that probably won’t happen.

Q: Who do you think would have won – Parkway or Columbus Grove? Name withheld upon request

A: I think it could have been – or could be, if they somehow still play – a very interesting Division IV regional championship game.

Both teams are very athletic, as you’d expect at the regional championship level and I do think Parkway could keep pace with the state’s top ranked team.

One could easily argue that with a No. 1 ranking and poll championship, the pressure would be on Columbus Grove. Having said that, I’d probably give a slight advantage to Columbus Grove, while knowing a Parkway upset wouldn’t shock me.

Q: What are your thoughts on the Colts signing Phillip Rivers? $25 million is a lot of money to spend on a 38-year-old quarterback who throws a ton of interceptions. Name withheld upon request

A: Rivers did throw a lot of interceptions last season (20) but in 2017 and 2018 he was picked off 10 and 12 times, which isn’t horrible. He’s also tossed many more touchdown passes and has thrown for over 4,000 yards in 11 of the last 12 seasons.

He’s a veteran and there’s something to be said for that. Productive, experienced quarterbacks aren’t easy to find so if you have a chance to grab one, you do it.

This obviously isn’t going to be a long term marriage. This signing is for the present, not the future. The front office thinks they can compete for the Super Bowl with Rivers at the helm. Is that a correct assessment? It’s debatable.

With an eye on the future, it’ll be interesting to see what the Colts do in the draft. There are some promising quarterbacks coming out of college, but without a first round pick, Indianapolis won’t get one of the top tier ones unless they somehow pull off a trade.

If you have a question or comment for next week’s Monday Mailbag, simply email it to sports@thevwindependent.com.