The leaves have changed colors and the snow is starting to fall, as autumn works its way into winter. Every student is preparing for the cold weather, but there is another type of cold that is catching.
Cold and flu season has begun, and Dr. John Barret, staff physician at the Student Health and Wellness Center, has offered some helpful information to help students know which ailment is which.
Initially, Barret said, it can be hard to tell the difference between having a cold or flu. He said the two are completely different viruses. He said a cold is usually caused by a rhinovirus — a virus predominantly found in the nose — while flu is caused by either influenza A or influenza B.
"Influenza A symptoms that distinguish it from a cold are body aches and fever," he said. "People often describe … they feel like they've been hit by a truck. There's this overwhelming feeling of ‘I want to lie down.'" He said this is called prostration.
Barret said colds usually have less severe symptoms such as coughing, sneezing and nasal congestion. He said the symptoms of flu are often more serious — especially with influenza A — affecting the whole body.
"Both are very, very infectious," Barret said, because the germs spread through respiratory droplets when someone coughs or sneezes.
Some viruses seem to be more serious than others, Barret said, because different pathogens have different properties, which make them more serious and infectious. He said some pathogens can even be deadly. He said influenza has two antigens — H and N — which make it different from colds.
"Antigens are structures on the surface of the virus that the immune system recognizes," Barret said.
He said that antigens play a key role in how the immune system fights off a certain virus.
"If the immune system doesn't recognize the antigen very well, it makes it a more serious illness, because the immune system isn't effective at fighting it as well," Barret said. "This is why when you get a mutation — a new virus people haven't seen much of, like the swine flu — it's much more serious."
These viruses seem to be present mostly in the winter time, but Barret said colds pass year round. He said there are two reasons why colds are more common during the winter.
"(Number one,) all viruses are better preserved at colder temperatures," Barret said. "Number two, people are inside, passing it more readily."
Barret said cold and flu symptoms generally last about 7-10 days, and the best suggestion for recovery is lots of fluids and rest. He also said people should get vaccinated for flu each year, because flu antigens change each year.
The developers of flu vaccines have to estimate how it will change each year in order to fight it accordingly, he said.
Joanna Zattiero, adjunct music professor, said she recently encountered the flu and is still recovering from the setback.
"I'm still a week behind," Zattiero said. "I've never been able to catch up."
She said although she was vaccinated, she got sick a few weeks later. However, she said, she doesn't believe it was the seasonal flu but some other form of the flu.
Zattiero said it's stressful to get sick as a professor or a student, because there is essentially no such thing as sick days.
"Even from a professor's standpoint, it's hard to make up the time that you've missed, because you can't say everything more quickly," Zattiero said. "You just either have to drop some stuff or find a way to incorporate more into a lecture."
She said it's difficult for students to make up missed work after an illness, as well.
Missing class due to illness is definitely not anything new, but Zattiero said she finds it difficult to discern between students who are really sick and students who are just making excuses. She said she suggests students visit a doctor and get a note to bring to class.
Chealsey Leach, a junior studying business, recently experienced a cold, and said she missed a few classes and even a few quizzes. Leach said she hopes she can catch up.
She said she prefers holistic remedies such as orange juice and eating healthy, and even tried the immunity boost shots from Jamba Juice, in hopes they would help.
Leach said she believes the stress of getting sick may actually cause some students to become more susceptible to illness.
"This is kind of the time of the year when everyone anticipates getting sick," Leach said. "Stress really brings down your immune system."
She said she suggest students take care of themselves in advance to prevent getting sick in the first place. She said getting plenty of sleep, taking care of personal hygiene and eating healthy may be an essential prevention strategy.
2011年11月9日星期三
2011年11月8日星期二
Snow-less season drifts into record books
No matter when Edmonton finally gets its first snowfall of the season, this year will already have set a record, says a local meteorologist.
“This is the latest we’ve ever gone without having any snowfall downtown,” CTV meteorologist Josh Classen said in an interview Tuesday.
It’s just the fourth time in recorded history that Edmonton hasn’t had at least some snow in either September or October, even if that snow later melted, Classen said.
In 1902, Edmonton got its first snowfall on Nov. 3. In 1921 and 1963, the first snow came Nov. 6, Classen said.
“Now that we’re past that, it’s a record setter. We likely won’t get our first snowfall until Friday night or Saturday morning, which is Nov. 11th or 12th, so this is the latest we’ve ever gone without having any snowfall downtown.”
The snowless fall is a pleasure for some people and a sore point for others.
Wade Izzard and Jason Burns took advantage of the delayed snow to squeeze in a final golf game last week.
“It was just because the weather was so great,” Izzard said. “It was cold but it was excellent.”
The dry fall is also giving people extra time to get their yard work done, said Izzard, who has been helping a friend tidy his yard for winter. “I’ve seen a lot of people that have been mowing their lawns recently. As a matter of fact, on Sunday I saw someone mowing their lawn in the Meadowlark area. They’re doing it to gather up the leaves, instead of raking.”
The late snowfall has allowed Alf’s Roofing Ltd. to recoup some of the business that snowy and wet weather cost the company early this year, said owner Alfred Weimann. Cold weather and heavy snow lasted until April, then it was windy in May, Weimann said.
“In June and July, it rained a lot, which was good for the farmers but not good if you’re in the roofing business. We were lagging in business volume a lot.”
The weather dried up in August and that continued through the fall. Business at Alf’s Roofing Ltd. has been excellent this October and November, Weimann said.
“It’s relatively dry, reasonably mild and, most of all, there is no snow,” he said. “Snow coming so late this year, in our case, made up for what we lost.”
The owner of Easy Rider, a snowboard, skateboard and paddleboard shop in south Edmonton, said he took advantage of the weather to ride his stand-up paddleboard on the North Saskatchewan River on Sunday. “I don’t generally fall in,” Warren Currie said. “Basically, I’ll go until it freezes solid.”
However, he’s ready for a good winter whiteout. If it doesn’t snow in the next few weeks, the weather will start to hurt his snowboard sales.
“Right now we’re doing OK, but it needs to get cold and miserable and start snowing for me to be happy,” Currie said with a laugh.
“The snowboard guys are definitely chomping at the bit to get going.”
Ski hills around the city are busy making snow and getting ready to open. Snow Valley Edmonton, near 119th Street and Whitemud Drive, is set to open Friday, said spokesman Tim Dey. The hill normally opens mid-November, he said.
“If it was warm, our snow-making efforts would have been melted away and we would have just kept pushing the opening back, but it’s been cool enough, especially in the evening, that we’ve been able to keep the snow,” Dey said. “People are just pumped to get out there.”
While Edmontonians wait for those first flakes, they need to keep watering their trees and shrubs and keep perennials moist, said Lucy Chang, chairwoman of the Edmonton Horticultural Society City Gardeners. Chang recommends “a good soaking” once a week until the ground freezes.
“I would love to see a good snow cover,” Chan said.
A dusting of snow did fall in southwest Edmonton last Friday, “about 72 snowflakes,” Classen said with a laugh, “but downtown hasn’t .”
Snow could accumulate in Edmonton Friday into Saturday, Classen said. If not, it will likely blanket the ground late next week, he said.
“This is the latest we’ve ever gone without having any snowfall downtown,” CTV meteorologist Josh Classen said in an interview Tuesday.
It’s just the fourth time in recorded history that Edmonton hasn’t had at least some snow in either September or October, even if that snow later melted, Classen said.
In 1902, Edmonton got its first snowfall on Nov. 3. In 1921 and 1963, the first snow came Nov. 6, Classen said.
“Now that we’re past that, it’s a record setter. We likely won’t get our first snowfall until Friday night or Saturday morning, which is Nov. 11th or 12th, so this is the latest we’ve ever gone without having any snowfall downtown.”
The snowless fall is a pleasure for some people and a sore point for others.
Wade Izzard and Jason Burns took advantage of the delayed snow to squeeze in a final golf game last week.
“It was just because the weather was so great,” Izzard said. “It was cold but it was excellent.”
The dry fall is also giving people extra time to get their yard work done, said Izzard, who has been helping a friend tidy his yard for winter. “I’ve seen a lot of people that have been mowing their lawns recently. As a matter of fact, on Sunday I saw someone mowing their lawn in the Meadowlark area. They’re doing it to gather up the leaves, instead of raking.”
The late snowfall has allowed Alf’s Roofing Ltd. to recoup some of the business that snowy and wet weather cost the company early this year, said owner Alfred Weimann. Cold weather and heavy snow lasted until April, then it was windy in May, Weimann said.
“In June and July, it rained a lot, which was good for the farmers but not good if you’re in the roofing business. We were lagging in business volume a lot.”
The weather dried up in August and that continued through the fall. Business at Alf’s Roofing Ltd. has been excellent this October and November, Weimann said.
“It’s relatively dry, reasonably mild and, most of all, there is no snow,” he said. “Snow coming so late this year, in our case, made up for what we lost.”
The owner of Easy Rider, a snowboard, skateboard and paddleboard shop in south Edmonton, said he took advantage of the weather to ride his stand-up paddleboard on the North Saskatchewan River on Sunday. “I don’t generally fall in,” Warren Currie said. “Basically, I’ll go until it freezes solid.”
However, he’s ready for a good winter whiteout. If it doesn’t snow in the next few weeks, the weather will start to hurt his snowboard sales.
“Right now we’re doing OK, but it needs to get cold and miserable and start snowing for me to be happy,” Currie said with a laugh.
“The snowboard guys are definitely chomping at the bit to get going.”
Ski hills around the city are busy making snow and getting ready to open. Snow Valley Edmonton, near 119th Street and Whitemud Drive, is set to open Friday, said spokesman Tim Dey. The hill normally opens mid-November, he said.
“If it was warm, our snow-making efforts would have been melted away and we would have just kept pushing the opening back, but it’s been cool enough, especially in the evening, that we’ve been able to keep the snow,” Dey said. “People are just pumped to get out there.”
While Edmontonians wait for those first flakes, they need to keep watering their trees and shrubs and keep perennials moist, said Lucy Chang, chairwoman of the Edmonton Horticultural Society City Gardeners. Chang recommends “a good soaking” once a week until the ground freezes.
“I would love to see a good snow cover,” Chan said.
A dusting of snow did fall in southwest Edmonton last Friday, “about 72 snowflakes,” Classen said with a laugh, “but downtown hasn’t .”
Snow could accumulate in Edmonton Friday into Saturday, Classen said. If not, it will likely blanket the ground late next week, he said.
2011年11月7日星期一
Ease symptoms while a cold runs its course
Your head is congested, and your throat feels scratchy. You alternate between sneezing, coughing and blowing your nose.
Unfortunately, one of the 200 cold viruses has taken up residence in your body and will stay for one to two weeks.
Since so many different viruses cause colds, and they're constantly evolving, the body doesn't build up resistance to them. That's why adults average two to four colds between September and May, and kids catch six to eight colds.
Although there isn't medicine to cure a cold -and that includes antibiotics -there are remedies to ease symptoms. Here are some suggestions.
Drink plenty of liquids. Fluids can prevent dehydration, keep your nose and throat moist, and thin out mucous.
Water, soup and tea (both antioxidant laden green tea and white tea) are good choices.
Plug in the humidifier. This eases dryness in your nose and throat, especially while sleeping. Remember to change the water daily and disinfect the humidifier weekly.
Steam from a hot shower does the same thing. You can also make a steam tent by placing a towel over your head and inhaling steam from a bowl of hot water. Adding a few drops of lemon and eucalyptus oils to the water can help to kill the virus.
Gargle with saltwater three times daily. Stir one teaspoon of salt into one cup of warm water and gargle with the entire solution.
Viruses can't survive in a high-salt environment, so begin this at the onset of symptoms.
Take it easy. Slow down your pace and get extra sleep so your body can fight the cold faster. If not, you may find the virus hanging on longer or returning again within a few weeks of fighting it.
Treat other symptoms. If sneezing and a runny nose become bothersome, an antihistamine can help.
Decongestants can clear up excessive mucous.
Homeopathic cherry bark cough medicine not only eases fits of coughing, but it also soothes a sore throat. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen relieve feelings of generalized illness and headaches.
Fortify your immune system. Eat lots of antioxidant-rich produce and add plenty of infection-fighting garlic, onions and turmeric to your soup and other foods. Herbs with antiviral and immune boosting properties include ginger, goldenseal, echinacea and astragalus. They come in many forms, including capsules, liquids and teas. If you take medicine for other conditions, consult a knowledgeable professional before using herbal products.
Be courteous. Keep in mind that no one else wants your cold, so pay attention to preventing the spread of the virus to co-workers and family. Be sure to cover your mouth while coughing and sneezing, wash your hands frequently, refrain from shaking hands and stay home while sick.
The best way to deal with a cold is to take care of yourself and to be prepared by keeping foods and medicine on hand during cold season. It also helps to keep in mind that the misery is temporary and you'll be back on your feet in no time.
Unfortunately, one of the 200 cold viruses has taken up residence in your body and will stay for one to two weeks.
Since so many different viruses cause colds, and they're constantly evolving, the body doesn't build up resistance to them. That's why adults average two to four colds between September and May, and kids catch six to eight colds.
Although there isn't medicine to cure a cold -and that includes antibiotics -there are remedies to ease symptoms. Here are some suggestions.
Drink plenty of liquids. Fluids can prevent dehydration, keep your nose and throat moist, and thin out mucous.
Water, soup and tea (both antioxidant laden green tea and white tea) are good choices.
Plug in the humidifier. This eases dryness in your nose and throat, especially while sleeping. Remember to change the water daily and disinfect the humidifier weekly.
Steam from a hot shower does the same thing. You can also make a steam tent by placing a towel over your head and inhaling steam from a bowl of hot water. Adding a few drops of lemon and eucalyptus oils to the water can help to kill the virus.
Gargle with saltwater three times daily. Stir one teaspoon of salt into one cup of warm water and gargle with the entire solution.
Viruses can't survive in a high-salt environment, so begin this at the onset of symptoms.
Take it easy. Slow down your pace and get extra sleep so your body can fight the cold faster. If not, you may find the virus hanging on longer or returning again within a few weeks of fighting it.
Treat other symptoms. If sneezing and a runny nose become bothersome, an antihistamine can help.
Decongestants can clear up excessive mucous.
Homeopathic cherry bark cough medicine not only eases fits of coughing, but it also soothes a sore throat. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen relieve feelings of generalized illness and headaches.
Fortify your immune system. Eat lots of antioxidant-rich produce and add plenty of infection-fighting garlic, onions and turmeric to your soup and other foods. Herbs with antiviral and immune boosting properties include ginger, goldenseal, echinacea and astragalus. They come in many forms, including capsules, liquids and teas. If you take medicine for other conditions, consult a knowledgeable professional before using herbal products.
Be courteous. Keep in mind that no one else wants your cold, so pay attention to preventing the spread of the virus to co-workers and family. Be sure to cover your mouth while coughing and sneezing, wash your hands frequently, refrain from shaking hands and stay home while sick.
The best way to deal with a cold is to take care of yourself and to be prepared by keeping foods and medicine on hand during cold season. It also helps to keep in mind that the misery is temporary and you'll be back on your feet in no time.
2011年11月6日星期日
Hayden escapes injury in collision
Nicky Hayden was given a clean bill of health after being checked for a potential hand injury following the first-corner crash in the Valencia MotoGP race.
The American was one of four riders caught up in the collision, which happened when Alvaro Bautista's Suzuki and Andrea Dovizioso's Honda made light contact, sending Bautista into Hayden, his Ducati team-mate Valentino Rossi, and Pramac Ducati rider Randy de Puniet.
"I felt some riders coming up the inside really fast as we approached Turn 1. Then something happened and it was just the domino effect - race over in the first corner," said Hayden, who went for x-rays on his right hand afterwards.
"I'm okay other than my hand being pretty sore. It's unfortunate."
With Ducati having been quick all weekend, Hayden said the race was a missed opportunity - especially given the mixed weather conditions.
"One of our bike's strengths is generating heat in the tyres, and that's what you need on a cold, wet track like this," he said. "Already on the warm-up lap, the bike felt good. It's easy to say now, but I honestly feel like we could have put up a decent fight today and had some fun."
Team boss Vito Guareschi described the crash as a typical racing accident made more frustrating by Ducati's promising form in practice.
"In practice, both Vale and Nicky demonstrated that they were able to ride this track well in the conditions that we had for the race, but after they both started well, they really were victims of a classic first-turn crash," he said.
"It happens, but it hurt Ducati worse than the others. There's not much else to say."
Rossi added that his main sadness was that he had not been able to make his planned tribute to his late friend Marco Simoncelli after the race.
"There's really nothing to say about today, other than that I'm sorry beyond measure not to have been able to put on Sic's T-shirt for the lap of honour," he said. "It's truly a shame."
The American was one of four riders caught up in the collision, which happened when Alvaro Bautista's Suzuki and Andrea Dovizioso's Honda made light contact, sending Bautista into Hayden, his Ducati team-mate Valentino Rossi, and Pramac Ducati rider Randy de Puniet.
"I felt some riders coming up the inside really fast as we approached Turn 1. Then something happened and it was just the domino effect - race over in the first corner," said Hayden, who went for x-rays on his right hand afterwards.
"I'm okay other than my hand being pretty sore. It's unfortunate."
With Ducati having been quick all weekend, Hayden said the race was a missed opportunity - especially given the mixed weather conditions.
"One of our bike's strengths is generating heat in the tyres, and that's what you need on a cold, wet track like this," he said. "Already on the warm-up lap, the bike felt good. It's easy to say now, but I honestly feel like we could have put up a decent fight today and had some fun."
Team boss Vito Guareschi described the crash as a typical racing accident made more frustrating by Ducati's promising form in practice.
"In practice, both Vale and Nicky demonstrated that they were able to ride this track well in the conditions that we had for the race, but after they both started well, they really were victims of a classic first-turn crash," he said.
"It happens, but it hurt Ducati worse than the others. There's not much else to say."
Rossi added that his main sadness was that he had not been able to make his planned tribute to his late friend Marco Simoncelli after the race.
"There's really nothing to say about today, other than that I'm sorry beyond measure not to have been able to put on Sic's T-shirt for the lap of honour," he said. "It's truly a shame."
2011年11月3日星期四
Antibiotics warning issued by Derbyshire health bosses
ANTIBIOTICS are not the ‘magic cure’ for flu and most coughs, colds and sore throats, which are caused by viruses, according to health experts at NHS Derbyshire.
Contrary to popular opinion, antibiotics are only effective against infections, caused by bacteria, and their overuse is contributing to a global rise in drug resistance – with more people being at risk of serious infections.
That’s the latest call from local GPs and health bosses, who are reporting a rise in the number of patients with colds and flu-like symptoms expecting to be prescribed antibiotics as they prepare for European Antibiotics Awareness Day on Friday, November 18.
Dr Bruce Laurence, acting director of public health for NHS Derbyshire County, said: “Antibiotics are only effective against infections by bacteria – so inappropriate use is simply putting others at risk, as infections can quickly build up resistance to antibiotics the more they come into contact with them.
“Using antibiotics to treat colds and coughs is unnecessary. It’s also a waste of money at a time when we need to ensure that we provide the best care possible for every pound spent. Some people will also get unwanted and even dangerous side effects from antibiotics.
“We urge anyone who has a cold, sore throat or cough over the winter to act responsibly by treating their condition appropriately. Vulnerable patients in at-risk groups, including the over 65s and pregnant women, should ensure they protect themselves against flu by having the jab.
“For patients with normal colds, coughs and sore throats lasting a week or two the best medicines are rest, warmth and having plenty to eat and drink, as these are usually self-limiting illnesses. We also recommend you talk to your pharmacist about medications that can help ease your symptoms or take simple medicines such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Using simple handwashing techniques and ensuring you ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ are also key in stopping the spread of germs.”
Last year, 439,220 antibiotics were prescribed to patients across Derbyshire County at a cost of nearly £2million – with studies showing that a large number of antibiotics prescribed for colds, coughs and sore throats are unnecessary.
Free jabs are provided to people most at risk of developing serious complications from the flu, including the over 65s, pregnant women and those with heart disease, breathing problems, diabetes and other long-term illnesses such as asthma and diabetics. Anyone in these groups should contact their local GP.
Contrary to popular opinion, antibiotics are only effective against infections, caused by bacteria, and their overuse is contributing to a global rise in drug resistance – with more people being at risk of serious infections.
That’s the latest call from local GPs and health bosses, who are reporting a rise in the number of patients with colds and flu-like symptoms expecting to be prescribed antibiotics as they prepare for European Antibiotics Awareness Day on Friday, November 18.
Dr Bruce Laurence, acting director of public health for NHS Derbyshire County, said: “Antibiotics are only effective against infections by bacteria – so inappropriate use is simply putting others at risk, as infections can quickly build up resistance to antibiotics the more they come into contact with them.
“Using antibiotics to treat colds and coughs is unnecessary. It’s also a waste of money at a time when we need to ensure that we provide the best care possible for every pound spent. Some people will also get unwanted and even dangerous side effects from antibiotics.
“We urge anyone who has a cold, sore throat or cough over the winter to act responsibly by treating their condition appropriately. Vulnerable patients in at-risk groups, including the over 65s and pregnant women, should ensure they protect themselves against flu by having the jab.
“For patients with normal colds, coughs and sore throats lasting a week or two the best medicines are rest, warmth and having plenty to eat and drink, as these are usually self-limiting illnesses. We also recommend you talk to your pharmacist about medications that can help ease your symptoms or take simple medicines such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Using simple handwashing techniques and ensuring you ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ are also key in stopping the spread of germs.”
Last year, 439,220 antibiotics were prescribed to patients across Derbyshire County at a cost of nearly £2million – with studies showing that a large number of antibiotics prescribed for colds, coughs and sore throats are unnecessary.
Free jabs are provided to people most at risk of developing serious complications from the flu, including the over 65s, pregnant women and those with heart disease, breathing problems, diabetes and other long-term illnesses such as asthma and diabetics. Anyone in these groups should contact their local GP.
2011年11月2日星期三
Irish's Manti Te'o fit and focused
At 2 a.m. Friday, Manti Te'o finished wee-hour film study and got on the phone with his people back in paradise. He had been dealing with a sore ankle. A loss to USC lacerated his pride. Then his coach took a cudgel to Notre Dame's upperclassmen in remarks like a nasty cut block.
Te'o needed mooring and concluded he would strip everything down and just play for the love of playing football. It was corny but curative. That afternoon the junior linebacker moved past the tumult. The next day he was cold-blooded in dismantling Navy. He resurfaced Wednesday appearing healed in all ways.
"I'm going to be honest — I was hurt," Te'o said in his first public comments since the Oct. 22 loss to USC, referring to Brian Kelly's statement about his recruited players versus inherited players last week.
"But like everybody said, this is a family, and we deal with it as a family. And we dealt with it on Friday and everything was fine. Everything was back to normal. We walked in on Saturday ready to play against Navy and demonstrated that, hey, no matter what happens, nothing can break apart a family."
It had been 10 days laden with reflection, recuperation and renewal for the Irish's tackling dervish, a span Te'o labeled a "roller-coaster." Physically, he recovered, practicing at length for the first time since injuring his ankle before the Air Force game. Mentally, he reconfigured, starting when he entered the football complex the morning after losing to USC.
Te'o walked in for treatment with tailback Jonas Gray, lamenting his performance, how he lacked focus, how he too often guessed instead of reading his keys. Six mornings later, Gray glanced Te'o's way before the Navy game and the sight was chilling.
"Just a different type of focus I've never seen from him," Gray said. "It was, 'Get out of my way.' I wouldn't want to go against him. You look at him and you're like, all right, I need to be in that mode, too."
Said receiver Theo Riddick: "He had something to prove."
He did, with a relentless 13-tackle effort. But this was a changed Te'o on a much less empirical level, too.
"I'm not that much of a yeller, I'm not that much of a rah-rah kind of guy," Te'o said. "I was never that type of player. But I found myself being more rah-rah (recently), trying to get everybody pumped, and I think by trying to be that player I lost who I was.
"So I told (defensive coordinator Bob Diaco) before the game, I hope you don't mind, but I'm just going to be pretty quiet. I'm going to be humble. If I need to say something, I'm going to say it, but I'm not going to yell. I'm not going to try to get everybody pumped up. It worked out well."
Diaco viewed it as a triumph of preparation after Te'o had been "less-than, healthwise" for a time. Te'o injured his ankle midweek before the Oct. 8 Air Force game and, apparently, Irish coaches had to manage his practice participation through the USC game two weeks later.
The limited workload threw off Te'o's timing. On Wednesday, Te'o bemoaned relegation to extensive film study with safety Harrison Smith and asking players "out there who are practicing" for tips so his performance didn't dip. The junior was full-go or near it for Navy preparation, and it showed.
"He had an opportunity to prepare himself, where he hasn't had an opportunity to prepare himself at times," Diaco said.
After Te'o turned his gaze inward, it now pivots in the other direction as the Irish (5-3) get ready to visit Wake Forest (5-3) on Saturday night.
His only lingering hurt, he said Wednesday, dates to 2008 and a Senior Day defeat for the graduating class. Te'o said his sole focus is a raucous stretch run for the current seniors, including a home finale victory in three weeks.
"That's what I owe them," Te'o said. "I owe them my best effort."
After a turbulent 10 days, he emerged untroubled and positioned to provide that.
Te'o needed mooring and concluded he would strip everything down and just play for the love of playing football. It was corny but curative. That afternoon the junior linebacker moved past the tumult. The next day he was cold-blooded in dismantling Navy. He resurfaced Wednesday appearing healed in all ways.
"I'm going to be honest — I was hurt," Te'o said in his first public comments since the Oct. 22 loss to USC, referring to Brian Kelly's statement about his recruited players versus inherited players last week.
"But like everybody said, this is a family, and we deal with it as a family. And we dealt with it on Friday and everything was fine. Everything was back to normal. We walked in on Saturday ready to play against Navy and demonstrated that, hey, no matter what happens, nothing can break apart a family."
It had been 10 days laden with reflection, recuperation and renewal for the Irish's tackling dervish, a span Te'o labeled a "roller-coaster." Physically, he recovered, practicing at length for the first time since injuring his ankle before the Air Force game. Mentally, he reconfigured, starting when he entered the football complex the morning after losing to USC.
Te'o walked in for treatment with tailback Jonas Gray, lamenting his performance, how he lacked focus, how he too often guessed instead of reading his keys. Six mornings later, Gray glanced Te'o's way before the Navy game and the sight was chilling.
"Just a different type of focus I've never seen from him," Gray said. "It was, 'Get out of my way.' I wouldn't want to go against him. You look at him and you're like, all right, I need to be in that mode, too."
Said receiver Theo Riddick: "He had something to prove."
He did, with a relentless 13-tackle effort. But this was a changed Te'o on a much less empirical level, too.
"I'm not that much of a yeller, I'm not that much of a rah-rah kind of guy," Te'o said. "I was never that type of player. But I found myself being more rah-rah (recently), trying to get everybody pumped, and I think by trying to be that player I lost who I was.
"So I told (defensive coordinator Bob Diaco) before the game, I hope you don't mind, but I'm just going to be pretty quiet. I'm going to be humble. If I need to say something, I'm going to say it, but I'm not going to yell. I'm not going to try to get everybody pumped up. It worked out well."
Diaco viewed it as a triumph of preparation after Te'o had been "less-than, healthwise" for a time. Te'o injured his ankle midweek before the Oct. 8 Air Force game and, apparently, Irish coaches had to manage his practice participation through the USC game two weeks later.
The limited workload threw off Te'o's timing. On Wednesday, Te'o bemoaned relegation to extensive film study with safety Harrison Smith and asking players "out there who are practicing" for tips so his performance didn't dip. The junior was full-go or near it for Navy preparation, and it showed.
"He had an opportunity to prepare himself, where he hasn't had an opportunity to prepare himself at times," Diaco said.
After Te'o turned his gaze inward, it now pivots in the other direction as the Irish (5-3) get ready to visit Wake Forest (5-3) on Saturday night.
His only lingering hurt, he said Wednesday, dates to 2008 and a Senior Day defeat for the graduating class. Te'o said his sole focus is a raucous stretch run for the current seniors, including a home finale victory in three weeks.
"That's what I owe them," Te'o said. "I owe them my best effort."
After a turbulent 10 days, he emerged untroubled and positioned to provide that.
2011年11月1日星期二
Boston Weather Won't Bother Manuel
Florida State junior quarterback E.J. Manuel answered questions from members of the media Monday for about 15 minutes at his weekly press conference before the Seminoles took to the practice field, and here are some of the more noteworthy things he had to say during that time:Manuel isn't worried about possibly playing in cold and windy weather in the Boston area since he grew up in Virginia Beach and should be quite used to it, plus the forecast doesn't look too bad ahead of Thursday's game at Boston College. ...
Because of the abbreviated five-day turnaround, Florida State actually practiced Sunday instead of having the day off to rest. According to Manuel, he said he felt rather good and wasn't very sore. If anything, the work allowed him to get rid of the lactic acid players tend to feel a day or two after playing a big game. ...
Freshman receiver Rashad Greene did participate in Sunday's practice, and he might be available for the Boston College game. Manuel suggested Greene is going to play, as he did Saturday when talking to reporters right after the 34-0 shutout of NC State. ...
Manuel said he appreciates the firepower he has at his disposal, be it at receiver, tight end or running back, and even though guys are telling him in the huddle they're open, it isn't a selfish bunch and they're happy for each other when they do well. ...
Running the option was again a topic of conversation, as Manuel has proven to have a very instinctive feel for that play the last few weeks. Most importantly, he wants to make sure his tailback stays in good position for the pitch, even if he's already 20 yards downfield. The 6-5, 245-pounder has shown already that he isn't afraid to be extra aggressive on the pitch and will give up his body if necessary. ...
When asked about the critical comments Jack Nicklaus made in the booth during the game, intimating that the Seminoles aren't doing a good enough job getting the ball to his grandson, freshman tight end Nick O'Leary, Manuel simply laughed it off and said he didn't want to have a legend on his bad side. ...
When it comes to breaking down tape, Manuel said he tends to focus on the other team's defensive backs. They'll give him the best indication of where to go with the ball on a given play. ...
Manuel was complimentary of his interior offensive linemen when asked about them, especially junior left guard Jacob Fahrenkrug. ...
Despite the fact that he still considers himself a jokester that likes to have fun, Manuel understands that he's expected to be a leader on this team -- THE leader, as a matter of fact. He believes that all of his teammates like him, and he likes all of his teammates. Definitely, he sees himself as a great teammate. ...
Because he and NC State quarterback Mike Glennon are friends, the two of them had a short conversation after Saturday's contest. Glennon said he didn't understand just how good FSU's defense can be. On top of that, Manuel thinks the depth and talent he faces in practice from the 'Noles along the defensive line can only make the offense better as a result.
Because of the abbreviated five-day turnaround, Florida State actually practiced Sunday instead of having the day off to rest. According to Manuel, he said he felt rather good and wasn't very sore. If anything, the work allowed him to get rid of the lactic acid players tend to feel a day or two after playing a big game. ...
Freshman receiver Rashad Greene did participate in Sunday's practice, and he might be available for the Boston College game. Manuel suggested Greene is going to play, as he did Saturday when talking to reporters right after the 34-0 shutout of NC State. ...
Manuel said he appreciates the firepower he has at his disposal, be it at receiver, tight end or running back, and even though guys are telling him in the huddle they're open, it isn't a selfish bunch and they're happy for each other when they do well. ...
Running the option was again a topic of conversation, as Manuel has proven to have a very instinctive feel for that play the last few weeks. Most importantly, he wants to make sure his tailback stays in good position for the pitch, even if he's already 20 yards downfield. The 6-5, 245-pounder has shown already that he isn't afraid to be extra aggressive on the pitch and will give up his body if necessary. ...
When asked about the critical comments Jack Nicklaus made in the booth during the game, intimating that the Seminoles aren't doing a good enough job getting the ball to his grandson, freshman tight end Nick O'Leary, Manuel simply laughed it off and said he didn't want to have a legend on his bad side. ...
When it comes to breaking down tape, Manuel said he tends to focus on the other team's defensive backs. They'll give him the best indication of where to go with the ball on a given play. ...
Manuel was complimentary of his interior offensive linemen when asked about them, especially junior left guard Jacob Fahrenkrug. ...
Despite the fact that he still considers himself a jokester that likes to have fun, Manuel understands that he's expected to be a leader on this team -- THE leader, as a matter of fact. He believes that all of his teammates like him, and he likes all of his teammates. Definitely, he sees himself as a great teammate. ...
Because he and NC State quarterback Mike Glennon are friends, the two of them had a short conversation after Saturday's contest. Glennon said he didn't understand just how good FSU's defense can be. On top of that, Manuel thinks the depth and talent he faces in practice from the 'Noles along the defensive line can only make the offense better as a result.
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