Metro Sports Report

Cougars looking for faster start this year

"No More Slow Starts" is not a real sexy slogan for a high school football team, but it might be appropriate at Kennedy.

The Cougars lost their first two games of the season in 2011 and dropped their first three contests in 2010, so needless to say they'd like to avoid something like that this year.

Former Metro preps in pro baseball

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Boston Red Sox) -- Was placed on the disabled list July 31 after undergoing surgery for a broken knuckle on his left pinky finger. He is expected to miss eight weeks. Year to date -- BA - .260, AB - 204, R - 22, H - 53, RBI - 16, 2B - 19, 3B - 2, HR - 0, SB - 0.

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers), Midwest League) -- Started in left field Saturday and went 1-for-6 in the Loons' 4-3, 12-inning loss to Lansing. Year to date -- BA - .266, AB - 444, R - 61, H - 118, RBI - 59, 2B - 30, 3B - 7, HR - 5, SB - 16.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays), Northwest League) -- Started at third base Saturday and went 0-for-4 in Vancouver's 3-1 loss to Yakima. Vancouver totals -- BA - .210, AB - 176, R - 24, H - 37, RBI - 25, 2B - 11, 3B - 2, HR - 4, SB - 2.

Jefferson begins Webb era in football

Brian Webb's first practice with the Jefferson High School football team began precisely at 7 a.m. Monday with the moon still visible over Kingston Stadium.

Not 7:01 a.m. and certainly not 7:03 a.m. The whistle blew at exactly 7 o'clock and the J-Hawks surrounded their new coach for instructions.

Nobody was late.

Ferentz quietly proud of his 3 sons

Monday was my 70th time at an Iowa football media day. And I must say, looking back over that long period of time, most of the quotes from the players and coaches have been well-scripted.

Even in the Hayden Fry days, when from time to time Hayden would take off on the press, there was never an opening where he looked to be out of sorts.

Kirk Ferentz was his usual polished self Monday as he went through the experience, but sitting in the conference room I did get a feeling of the great pride the Hawkeye head coach has for his family and his three sons who are now involved in day-to-day Iowa football.