Story: “Gresham to miss season opener,” by Jono Greco, The Oklahoma Daily
Friday, Sep. 4, 2009
Paragraph Breakdown:
The No. 3 Sooners will be without senior tight end Jermaine Gresham in Saturday’s season opener against No. 20 Brigham Young University due to cartilage damage sustained in his right knee.
(News)
OU head coach Bob Stoops said in a press release that Gresham, team doctors and athletic training staff members are currently considering treatment options that would determine how soon he could return.
(News)
The six-foot-six-inch Ardmore native suffered the injury during Tuesday’s practice, and team doctors and trainers are continuing evaluations on the knee, Stoops said.
(News)
At the end of summer practices, Stoops said Gresham was the team’s best receiver after the departures of wide receivers Manuel Johnson, Juaquin Iglesias and Quentin Chaney.
(Context)
Last season, Gresham was a finalist for the John Mackey Award, awarded to the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision’s best tight end, after bringing in 66 receptions for 950 yards and 14 touchdowns.
(News)
What’s missing:
News
What exactly caused the injury during practice? (Human error or something else?)
What are his treatment options?
Impact
Is the injury serious, as far as sports injuries are concerned?
With Gresham being replaced, is anyone on the team concerned about OU’s chances against BYU?
Context
Has Gresham missed any games in the past due to injury?
What’s the normal recovery time for an injury of that nature?
Human dimension
How does Gresham feel about his injury? Is he nervous about treatment or when he can get back on the playing field?
If he misses too many games, could this affect Gresham’s shot at any awards this year?
What’s next
When will Gresham decide on a treatment plan?
Will OU use the same replacement until Gresham is better if need be?
Will Gresham’s absence affect Sam Bradford’s strategy for the game this Saturday, or for the season?
Suggestions:
As a reporter covering this story, I would have consulted someone on the athletic training staff to find out how serious injuries of Gresham's type usually are, and what options Gresham might have for treatment. I also would have talked with some of the team members (Bradford, if I could get him) to see how much this would impact the team's confidence and/or strategy this season as they strive for the championship once more. Talking with team members, as well as Gresham himself, could give the story a human element as readers learn what this injury means for Gresham and what he can bring to OU. Also, Gresham could shed some light on the story behind his injury and whether he has gotten hurt before in his football career.
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