Heat, heat go away.

While most football players -- no matter the level of play -- expect the heat and humidity to be high during preseason football practices, events in recent weeks have caused players and coaches alike to take a second look at how they handle the oppressive temperatures.

The death last week of Minnesota Vikings All-Pro offensive tackle Korey Stringer because of heat-related problems during the team's training camp shocked the nation. So have the deaths in recent weeks of players at the University of Florida and Northwestern that were attributed to hot weather.

From the days 20 years ago where little or no water was allowed at most high school and college practices to today where water and various other fluids such as Gatorade are readily available on the field, the times are indeed changing.

But the death rate among football players because of heat stroke and related illnesses appears to be on the rise. The question remains however: Why?

"I can't speak about the Korey Stringer situation and I wouldn't want to start to speculate there, because I'm sure they did a good job of making sure their guys are well taken care of," Indianapolis Colts Coach Jim Mora said Tuesday.

"But I think regardless of what you do, you are going to have people who are going to have some problems. You have to guard against these problems as much as possible. Prevention is the most important thing."

Mora remembers the day not too many years ago when salt tablets and warm tap water in a bucket was the norm for players, rather than the exception.

"Back when I was coaching 20 years ago, we didn't allow them to have water at practice," he recalled. "Now, though, we force it down them. Before practice, after practice, during practice. But, yet, I still think that you have problems.

"You are always going to have heat and you are always going to have practice. I think you can do a lot of things, but you still might have some problems. The key is to try and eliminate something real serious from happening."

Barnes for the defense -- It's been a interesting road to the National Football League for third-year defensive end Lionel Barnes.

Barnes was born in New Orleans, La., but attended Lakenheath American High School in Suffolk, England. While his father was stationed in England for three years serving a military commitment, the 6-foot-5 Barnes became quite a basketball prospect.

In fact, he was such a good player that he earned All-Europe mention as a senior and played on a U.S. Junior National Basketball team that won a championship in Germany. A couple of his teammates on that junior national team included Vince Carter and Bonzi Wells.

He went on to play basketball at the University of Louisiana-Monroe, where he decided to try out for the football team as a senior.

"I just decided to try out for football," Barnes said. A starter at defensive tackle, his decision to try a different sport appears smart as he was drafted in the sixth round by the St. Louis Rams in 1999.

He played in three games with the Rams his rookie season and one last year before being waived in mid-October. Two days later, he was picked up by the Colts.

"I don't regret giving up basketball," Barnes said. "My basketball career was pretty much coming to an end and it was time to get a job.

"Now, I'm just trying to learn and improve in my football career. I think that I'm doing well, although I'm still trying to adapt to playing outside as opposed to playing basketball indoors. But I'm just out here doing what they tell me to do. Right now, though, my biggest opposition is the weather, just like everybody else."

Despite his relative lack of experience in football, Barnes has managed to turn a few heads during practices. He is currently listed as the Colts' No. 2 right defensive end, backing up starter Chad Bratzke.

Tom James can be reached by e-mail at tjames1475@aol.com.