Blogs

newsobserver.com blogs

Welcome to N&O Blogs, a collection of Web-exclusive, frequently updated writings by N&O editors and reporters. These blogs are intended to expand the paper's reach and timeliness, and give you, our readers, a greater role in the process.

As we grow, we will add blogs pertaining to a variety of subjects, from local media to outdoor activities. The only constant will be the emphasis on issues of importance to the Triangle community. We want to hear your ideas.

UNC's Draughn out for the season

Junior Shaun Draughn, North Carolina's leading rusher, will miss the rest of the season after fracturing his left shoulder blade in Saturday's 19-6 win over Duke.

Draughn, who leads the Heels with 567 yards, got injured on the first play of the game, a nine-yard run. He was replaced by Ryan Houston, who ran for a career-high 164 yards on 37 carries. Houston's rushing attempts were the most by a UNC player since 1990.

Best guess: Canes could turn to Legace

Tags: Canes Now

So what's the Canes' next move? Cam Ward will be out at least three to four weeks, general manager Jim Rutherford says, so a goaltending decision must be made.

The best guess here is that the Hurricanes will sign a goaltender and that it will be Manny Legace. He's 36, he's experienced, he's won 177 NHL games.

Legace had a preseason tryout with the Atlanta Thrashers and has been playing for the Chicago Wolves (AHL). He would be able to hop in and team with Michael Leighton.

Rutherford has not said what direction the Canes will take, but it seems like signing Legace would be the best option if the Canes can make it work financially.

UNC-Miami kickoff set

Tags: ACC Now | Miami | UNC

Saturday's game between UNC and Miami will kickoff at 3:30 p.m. and be televised regionally by ABC.

UNC (6-3) needs one more win to qualify for a bowl game. The Tar Heels have won two straight against Miami, UNC coach Butch Davis' former team.

Taylor Swift jabs Jonas, Kanye, and "Twilight" on solid SNL

See, this is why you can't totally quit SNL. Just when you think the show is beyond lame and that a guest host like Taylor Swift is sure to be weak and boring, it surprises you with goodness.

Not greatness, but solid goodness.

There were many solidly good moments in last night's show, starting with Swift's hilarious "Monologue Song," in which she took hilarious jabs at Joe Jonas and also addressed her current boyfriend Taylor Lautner (the werewolf in "Twilight") and of course, Kanye West. And speaking of "Twilight," the digital short spoof on that movie ("Firelight") which subbed Frankenstein monsters for vampires, was dead-on. I also loved Swift in the PSA about dangerous things parents do while driving. Even the very last skit, an infomercial for an album called "Bunny Business," had funny impressions of Natalie Merchant, Shakira, Adam Duritz, and Jennifer Hudson.

Click below to watch Taylor Swift sing her "Monologue Song."

Barnes to announce Friday

Tags: ACC Now | Duke | recrui | UNC

Let the anticipation build.

Fans of Duke, North Carolina and four other schools that remain finalists for the services of top-ranked recruit Harrison Barnes of Ames, Iowa, will learn his decision Friday.

"Mad Men" finale predictions from a show expert

Tonight is the much anticipated season three finale of "Mad Men" and there are so many issues to resolve. Will Betty leave Don? If so, will she leave behind those children she can barely stand? Will Peggy and/or Pete fly the coop for Duck's shop? What about Sal -- is he coming back, or still trolling around that park? Most importantly, how do we get Joan back front and center?

Heck, we don't know. "Mad Men" is a complex show and Matthew Weiner is a crafty dude. That's why we asked "Mad Men" expert Jesse McLean. McLean is a pop culture writer and author of "The Kings of Madison Avenue: The Unofficial Guide to Mad Men."

We asked McLean for predictions and also about how he feels the show deals with issues like family and race. He told us why he thinks family life is portrayed in such a depressing light, and why Joan makes him feel good.


Check out the Q&A below.

Ward to stay in hospital; Canes mull options

Canes general manager Jim Rutherford said today that goaltender Cam Ward would remain at a Columbus, Ohio, hospital another day and that the team may look to trade or sign another goaltender.

Ward suffered a laceration of the left leg in the first period of the Canes' 3-2 loss at Columbus on Saturday and was taken to Riverside Hospital.

"We'll have to see how it goes," Rutherford said today of Ward's injury and recovery time. "It appears it will be a fairly long period of time."

UPDATE: Rutherford said Sunday afternoon that Ward could be out a month but that the injury is not considered season-ending.

Boychuk reassigned to Albany

Zach Boychuk is headed back to Albany. The winger played in the last two games for the Hurricanes after an injury to Ray Whitney.

Boychuk, 20, notched his first NHL point with an assist on Tim Gleason's goal in the Canes' 3-2 loss Saturday at Columbus. 

Boychuk, the team's first-round draft pick in 2008, averaged 14:35 of ice time in games against the Toronto Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets.  He has four goals and five assists in 12 games for the River Rats (AHL) this season.

Lewis, Wright comment after 19-6 loss to UNC

CHAPEL HILL - Duke seniors Thaddeus Lewis and Leon Wright said the Blue Devils must return to the drawing board after their 19-6 loss to North Carolina on Saturday.

Both said they knew the game against the Tar Heels would be hard-fought, but their team didn't show up when they needed to, namely late in the game. They walked off the field at Kenan Stadium under fireworks, disappointed at the outcome.

Cutcliffe postgame comments after 19-6 loss to UNC

CHAPEL HILL - Duke coach David Cutcliffe expressed disappointment for Duke's nine seniors after the Devils lost to North Carolina 19-6 on Saturday.

The Tar Heels have now won 19 of the past 20 football contest against the Devils since 1989. It was a disappointing outing for the Devils, failing to run effectively or physically match the Heels.

Cars View All
Find a Car
Go
Jobs View All
Find a Job
Go
Homes View All
Find a Home
Go

Want to post a comment?

In order to join the conversation, you must be a member of newsobserver.com. To register or to log in using your existing account, click here.
Advertisements