I’ll be signing off now for a few weeks. As I mentioned in last week’s column, I’m going in for shoulder surgery Thursday.
I sure didn’t plan on having to do the “How I spent my summer” paper on having shoulder surgery. Believe me, after having had three major surgeries, I don’t look forward to another one, but my left shoulder sounds like someone threw a handful of quarters in the clothes dryer.
If things go smoothly, I’ll be back in the office in about three weeks. I like that timeline because it will give me an opportunity to start preparing for the football season.
Football is never too far from my thoughts this time of year. This is when I like to talk to coaches and get a feel for what they think their team will look like in the fall.
I always try to touch base with Baker School Coach Matt Brunson, Crestview High Coach Tim Hatten and our local middle school coaches, Chris Small (Davidson) Ryan Gillis (Shoal River) and Steve Combest (Baker).
Most of the time, the coaches are cautiously optimistic in what they say or they try not to say too much.
I feel fortunate that I have a good relationship with the coaches. I’m just as comfortable sitting in Tim Hatten or Matt Brunson’s office as I am sitting at my own desk at the News Bulletin office.
That doesn’t mean I know all things Baker Gators or Crestview Bulldogs. I wouldn’t trust a coach who told me everything. A good coach needs to have some secrets from the press so they can catch the opposition at arm’s length.
If I were a coach, I know I wouldn’t tell the newspaper guy too much, no matter how trustworthy they might be.
Football will be on my mind during my recovery. I’ve ordered a biography about Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr. I can’t wait for it to arrive so I can read about one of my favorite players of all time.
I’ll be catching up on my college football magazines and either celebrating or dreading the upcoming season for my Tennessee Volunteers.
I’m sure I’ll also find time to watch several of the football movies in my personal collection.
While I’m out, News Bulletin Editor Thomas Boni will be able to help you or at least point you in the right direction. E-mail him at tboni@crestviewbulletin.com.
In addition, the staff will regularly check mail for sports@crestviewbulletin.com.
I’ll see you in a few weeks. In the meantime, have a happy and safe Fourth of July.
EmailNews Bulletin Sports Editor Randy Dickson, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: DICKSON: I’ll be back soon