I’ve been dreaming about this since I was a kid – a chance to write about sports cliches.

To write about such a dynamic topic, I’m going to really have to be in the zone. It’s going to require that I keep my head in the column, not worry about outside distractions, buckle down and dig in.

Can you feel the electricity?

When I mentioned that I’d be writing about this to a few fellow DEN writers, pandemonium broke lose. Well, OK, it didn’t. (In fact, it was a real crowd-silencer.)

Despite the naysayers, I decided to keep plugging away, taking it one word at a time because writing a column is nothing more than a game of inches.

The best part of a good sports cliche is the ridiculously simple language.

After watching a real barn-burner where a pair of teams scratched and clawed while fighting tooth and nail, the losing coach has to tip his hat to the other team.

And if he doesn’t want to tip his hat, then he just has to hand it to them.

You just can’t teach linguistics like that.

Now, what does any of that mean?

Not a thing.

Another one of my favorites is when someone in a post-game interview says, “The best team won today.”

It’s that kind of insight that makes me feel just lucky to be there.

When coaches or players rely solely on cliches to express their ideas, they’re just beating themselves. Those are the types of answers that come up short and don’t get the job done.

It would be refreshing for athletes and coaches to step up to the plate and come to play (or talk).

Simply put, they need to get the cliche monkey off their backs.

The repeated uses of these phrases change the complexion of a story or an interview. And when nothing new and original comes out, it forces me to write with a sense of urgency.

It’s at this point where the clock is an enemy and where time is of the essence.

But when an original answer comes, especially when it comes with it going down to the wire, I feel like I dodged a bullet.

Even if it isn’t that pretty, I’ll take it.

But when I get that good quote and insert in my story, I feel fortunate.

I always knew writing wouldn’t be a cakewalk, but when I bring my A-game, I report my heart out.

It’s the greatest job in the world, and I just want to thank God for the opportunity.

Hopefully, I’ll be able to put this column behind me, head back to the drawing board and go out there and get it done next time.

Dan Woike, a senior journalism major, snatched this column from the jaws of delete. Email him at [email protected] if you thought this column was a bitter pill to swallow.