HAWAII OH-NO

When it comes to sports in America, the discussion for which is the biggest starts and stops with one word: football. For all of you faithful readers in the South that say Nascar and its superior numbers, there's two things to remember. One, Nascar is a year round thing. Two, most tracks seat about one and a half times the amount of people a normal NFL stadium does. So there. Yet despite all of the upside, football has its one major black eye. The pro bowl. This year's edition last weekend was no different. In no particular order, here are 4 reasons why the game sucks.

• Its hard to sell the game to the fans when even the players could care less about it. Every year a handful of players named to the game seem to find a way out, and those not chosen to go or in the Super Bowl are considered the lucky ones. A free trip to Hawaii just doesn't cut it anymore.
• Where's the entertainment? The pro bowl is the one All Star event with no skills display or something purely for the fans. Every other major sport makes a weekend out of it, to get maximum exposure out of the sports brightest stars. The NFL is simply costing itself money the same way NCAA football does every year it goes without a playoff.
• If I wanted to watch touch football, I would walk over to the local middle school. I realize these games are pure exhibition, but taking everything away from the game that makes it so great in the name of safety is stupid. There could almost be an argument that having the game in a flag football format would provide more entertainment. Could you imagine trying to rip off Adrian Petersen's flag as he's running right at you? No thanks.
• Location, location, location. I realize that Hawaii is most likely the biggest draw for the people going to the Pro Bowl, especially those working and playing in it. (If you're going to watch or play in a game that doesn't mean anything, it mine as well be in one of the most beautiful places on earth.) However, I thought last years trial of having the game at the location of the Super Bowl worked well to get people hyped for the game. Also, the recent tradition of having the game before the Super Bowl instead of after is somewhat odd. I get that after the Super Bowl people's attention may shift to other sports, but what's the benefit of alienating some of the games biggest names?

If i were to rank the All Star games by sport, it would look like this: NBA, MLB, NHL, NFL. The NBA all star weekend is always exciting to watch, and benefits from players that seem to take pride in really competing in the game. While I don't agree with the MLB All Star game deciding which league gets home field in the World Series (Texas Rangers nodding vigorously), it has brought some appeal to the game. And the lovable NHL isn't afraid to try new things such as last weekends team draft a la a pickup game at the park, and the players enthusiastic play. Over the past 20 years, the NFL has been successful in superseding the three other major sports. Now they just have to figure out the right way to present a game that doesn't count to be dominant. 

BACK IN THE HUNT

Yesterday, I saw something that I haven't seen in about a year and a half. Tiger Woods. Being the first day of the first tournament of the year his game was still a little rough, but he's definitely back. He hit fairways off the tee, looked pretty controlled with his putter, and his up and down play from the fairway to the greens was solid. All leading to a respectable -3 on the day. The most telling moment of the day though came in the middle of his round -- His worst shot of the day. Tiger had a bad out from a sand trap, slammed his wedge against the lip, and walked away in disgust murmuring to himself. Yeah, he is back. Last year there would have been nothing. Like a robot, he would have played that same ball, walked away with his head hanging, and just put more pressure on the next shot. With everything that was going on off the course in 2010 for Tiger, he just wasn't himself. There were no bursts of emotion like the one seen Thursday, because he promised to no longer do it in an attempt to save some character. Every shot had so much tension in it that it was nearly impossible for him to put a complete round together. Knowing now that he would go the first season in his career without one win, you have to wonder if he make the same choice to play, or just sit the year out and take the time to refocus himself. I realize him playing last year was probably an outlet or escape to some extent, but he clearly still had a lot on his mind other than his golf game. A little over a year since the initial incident, Tiger looks to have come full circle, or at least is rounding the last corner. His legal issues are mostly behind him, he's practicing at all hours of the day, his media spots are no longer confrontational and awkward, and most of all he just looked refreshed. Tiger will return to form, get his usual 5 - 10 wins on the year, which may or may not include a major, and find himself at or next to the top of the golf world once again. Take note PGA players. Tiger Woods is back on the prowl. And no, not like that.

DON'T GIVE ME THAT JIMMER JABBER

If you watch college basketball at all, you know who Jimmer Fredette is. Fredette is the 6'2 senior guard from BYU that has been lighting up the scorer's table all season. He holds the record for the most points scored in the current season with 47, and last night dropped 43 on previously undefeated SDSU. Watching Jimmer reminds me of two recent college players: Adam Morrison and Stephen Curry. All natural scorers that could put their teams on the their back and carry them in to March. What Morrison and Curry had though, that Jimmer lacks, was a supporting cast.

Fredette is averaging 27 points a game which is a lot at any level, especially college. The next highest average by a BYU player is 12. Couple their one sided offense with a lack of true size, and a defense that gives up 67 points per game, and its clear BYU is headed nowhere in March. Someone yesterday asked if I thought Fredette could be another Carmelo, and single handedly run over the tournament, or BYU could put together a run like Butler or George Mason. In regards to being the next Carmelo, I'm still laughing. Fredette doesn't even come close to Anthony's offensive weapons at the collegiate level, and just simply isn't big enough to do it by himself. As for being the next Cinderella, anything can happen but it will be tough. BYU has a month and half to find a way to incorporate somebody else into the offense before March. Otherwise Jimmer will find himself in a double team every time he touches the ball, effectively shutting down their game. BYU has shown dominance in a lackluster Mountain West Conference, which should award them a high seed and an easy game in the first round of the tournament. From there though I wouldn't be surprised to see them struggle.

OFFICIAL FINERSIDE PREDICTION: BYU LOSES IN THE SWEET 16

WITH THE FIRST PICK

Draft day mistakes are common among all sports. Sometimes teams pass on one player for another that makes little sense, i.e. the Raiders taking Darius Heyward-Bey instead of Michael Crabtree. Sometimes teams inexplicably, and continuously, take players that don't improve their roster, i.e. the Detroit Lions in the mid 2000's. Rarely though are mistakes made with the first pick. When it does happen though, its instantaneously categorized as a "what if" for fans of that generation. This past weekend, the two current, biggest "what ifs" beg the question: Who's bigger?

On Saturday night, Kevin Durant hit a game winning three against the Knicks. Four years in to the league, Durant is the center piece to one of the most exciting teams in the NBA. On Sunday, Aaron Rodgers, more or less, led the Green Bay Packers past the Bears and in to the Super Bowl. After three years of waiting his turn, he's managed to make one of the most die hard fan bases in sports forget a legend. Both are just as famous for being snubbed with the first pick, as they are for outperforming the guys taken in their place. Lets compare.

KEVIN DURANT: 276 games played, avg. per game: 26pts./ 6reb./ 2asst., youngest player ever to win a scoring title, gave the Lakers everything they could handle in the 2010 playoffs, gold medalist.
GREG ODEN: 82 games played, avg. per game: 9pts./ 7reb./ 1block, yet to play an entire season due to injury including missing two, knees are in worse shape then Jenna Jameson's.   

AARON RODGERS: 54 games played (3 years sitting behind Brett Favre, last 3 as a starter),  98.4 passer rating, 87TD's to 32INT's, 27 - 20 in the regular season, NFC Champion 2010
ALEX SMITH: 54 games played (sat out one season), 72.1 passer rating, 51 TD's to 53 INT's, 28 - 50 in the regular season, never made the playoffs

It may be unfair at this point to really comapre Durant and Oden, simply because Oden has hardly played. He has looked serviceable when he has been in, but his inability to stay healthy makes it hard to call him a bust, with so little to go off of. Still, Durant is such a dynamic player that it's hard to think Oden would have made a similar impact on the Trail Blazers. The comparison between the QB's is a lot more telling. Rodgers has played as many games, with two to three times the production of Smith in half the time. Case closed. Until Oden stays healthy to finally play some games, or retires for good, its not fair to say Durant was the better of the two. Thus far, Rodgers is clearly ahead when compared to his draft day counterpart. Compared head to head, Rodgers and Durant, it has to be Durant. Rodgers has all the promise in the world. If he wins a Super Bowl in two weeks, then he's the biggest "what if" without question right now until Durant can take it from him. But Durant isn't just the face of his own team, he's the new face of the league. Re-watch Sunday's NFC Chamiponship game, and outside of the initial drive Rodgers really didn't play that well. Durant is clutch. He has no fear to step in to the biggest shot, and to this point doesn't really have a big game in his career where he no-showed. Either way, both guy's play will be responsible for Oden and Smith's name being synonymous with Sam Bowie's (famously taken #2 in the 1984 NBA draft ahead of Michael Jordan) for years to come. That's just how it is. You win some and you lose some, and then sometimes you really lose some. As I'd like to think they say in the Bay area, "Smith happens!" 

HALF WAY HOME

Either this past weekend, or sometime during this week, most NBA teams play their 41st game of the season. The chaos of the preseason seems like forever ago as we're halfway through the season. Here are 10 thoughts on the season thus far:

• Fresh off of his performance last night, Blake Griffin, ROY, no questions asked. The man is an unbelievable athlete, who's jumping abilities make the upcoming, and otherwise lackluster, dunk contest a must see. You know, just in case he hits his head on the rafters at Staples or something. If calling for an alley-oop was an officially logged stat, Griffin would already crack the all time top ten. Basketball skills aside, he should just get the award for doing the impossible: making "fat" Baron Davis care about basketball again.
• Best team has to be the San Antonio Spurs. A team who's seen there win total steadily decrease for the past six seasons is on pace for 70 half way through this one. Myself included, most thought the Spurs were old and done, however they continue to go about their business and simply win basketball games.
• Worst team has to be the Cleveland Cavaliers, who haven't looked basketball worthy since the second game of the season. I realize Dan Gilbert's frustration after Lebron's off season antics, but to think this team is ready to contend for a title any time soon is insane. Way back in November, Charles Barkley made a comment that, "Byron Scott should get the coach of the year award now because the Cavs were somehow at 7 wins." Two months later, guess how many wins they have. If you said 8 and losers of 13 straight, you're a winner! Leading to ...
• Most disappointing moment of the season has to be the Cavs stink job at home against the visiting Heat in November. The hype was great. The fans were great. The "Lyin' King" shirts were great. The Cavs were awful. They found more time to joke around with Lebron then hit wide open jumpers and layups. This game was an absolute embarrassment to an otherwise proud fan base.
• Best moment would be George Karl returning to the Denver Nuggets, and getting his 1000th win. Cancer, no matter how life threatening, is a very difficult thing to deal with. To be able to recover and successfully return to his team was great inspiration.  (SIDENOTE: The Lakers finally getting rid of Sasha Vujacic was a close second.)
• Best story is the resurgence of New York basketball. When they missed out on Lebron and took Amare Stoudemire instead, you had to wonder if it would be enough. Amare has been a 30 PPG game spark plug though, along with an excellent supporting cast. They may not win the title this year, but its nice to have one of the greatest venues in sport rocking again. If they somehow manage to get Carmelo, look out.
• Worst stories to date are all of the devastating injuries. Greg Oden, done for the season again. Hard to call the man a bust simply because he's hardly played. Yao Ming may have to hang 'em up after a nagging foot injury wont subside. Perhaps worst of all, Brandon Roy, who just had double knee surgery. He's still young and talented, but nobody will want a speed guy with no speed and two bad knees in a few years.
• The best rumors are currently anything that has to do with Carmelo Anthony, mainly because the man will be traded. Unlike some of the other ones that are just laughable. Kobe washed up? The man is 32. Michael Jordan was still winning titles at 36. Chris Paul or Dwight Howard to the Lakers? Not this season at least. Ask me about that in June though.
• Here's my two cents on the Heat. I saw them play Boston in Miami a month into the season, and thought they looked awful. No chemistry, no depth, no tenacity. Boston let them slip back into the game the same way their first meeting went opening night and then the following sequence happened: Lebron James bricks two free throws, Lebron James 3 point attempt off the side of the backboard. I left that game with so much anticipation for them to play the Lakers, because of how soft they looked. We all know how that went. Obviously they've figured some things out since then, but there still not where they want to be. Especially with all that karma floating around, and all of "Miami Thrice" riding the bench with injuries in practice.
• MVP. It's usually the best player on the best team, but who has been better: Tim Duncan or Manu Ginobli. If it were me, I'd give the nod to Duncan. Ginobli wins games. He takes big shots and plays hard. But Duncan is the glue. 14 years in, and he is still Mr. Reliable, going about his business, and assuring his team a chance every night with his consistency. Still very tough to say though.

That makes ten. With some of the best West Coast/ East Coast parity in a while, the rest of the season should be as entertaining as ever. There are still lots of uncertainties that should pass the time until the playoffs start. In fact, the only sure thing to this point is Blake Griffin working on his ROY speech, and him winning that dunk contest.

DIVISIONAL ROUND WEEKEND

Here are my game thoughts from this weekend, and a look ahead to the games next weekend. Unlike least weekends synopsis format, this week we will be switching to a new one voted on by the development team here at the Finerside.

STEELERS 31 - RAVENS 24

THE FINER: Ben Roethlisberger. The man is a one man wrecking crew, that just never says quit. Despite his off the field woes, on the field he is beginning to make a case for himself as the best around. If the Steelers win it all, you have to wonder how he would compare to everyones' gold standard, Tom Brady, who would both have three rings.
THE NOT SO FINER: Ray Rice. I realize you have to give credit where credit is due to the Steeler defense, but Rice really had to step up here. Ray only accounted for 32 yards, 14 of which came on the Ravens first TD. For a guy who was near the tops in the league for RB's this season, this performance has to be disappointing.
THE UGLY: The Ravens second half offense. Kind of makes you wonder if Joe Flac & Co. (haha get it) relied a little too much on the defense to get the win. Flacco played decently in the first half, but even then two of their touchdowns were in thanks to the D and a very short field. The second half really showed the difference between someone who's at. or near the top (Roethlisberger), and someone who still has to figure it out (Flacco).

PACKERS 48 - FALCONS 21

THE FINER: Aaron Rodgers. It may be fiitting that on the same weekend Brett Favre "officially retires," his replacement has the game of his life. 31 of 36, 330+ yards, 4 total touchdowns. Not too shabby. I still haven't fully bought in to Aaron Rodgers being the best young QB, but I may have to jump on that bandwagon the next time its rolls through town. Put it this way: the man was so good on Saturday, the Pack didn't even need their punter. Enough said.
THE NOT SO FINER: Matt Ryan's pick six on the last play of the first half was the end of the Falcons. Green Bay went up an unnecessary 14 points headed in to the locker room, and laid it on after that in the third. Ryan is a smart enough QB to know if you're throwing in that position you had better hit your receiver, or it better land next to the Gatorade cooler.
THE UGLY: I was at the Eagles/ Falcons game in Philly this year, and saw that the Falcons secondary had some holes in it first hand. I never thought they would get torched like they did at home though. Oops.

BEARS 35 - SEAHAWKS 24

THE FINER: The Bears defense. Kudos to Jay Cutler for playing out of his mind, but it must be nice to know you don't have to be perfect when your defense basically pitches a shutout until the game is out of reach in the fourth quarter. Regardless of who comes out of the AFC, the Bears defense should match up evenly if they get by Green Bay next week.
THE NOT SO FINER: Pete Carroll and his decision making. There were a few fourth and shorts where I felt like Carroll shied away from the moment that, if this had been last week, you know the 'Hawks would have gone for. I realize the game is played differently at home vs. on the road, but when you're a "Cinderella"` like the Seahawks were, you have to give yourself a chance by pulling out all the stops.
THE UGLY: As well as Matt Hasselbeck played, the wide receivers still have to catch the ball. The same core that caught everything thrown there way last week, they dropped a lot of balls early and often that never allowed their offense to get into a rhythm.

JETS 28 - PATRIOTS 21

THE FINER: Game ball to the Jets defensive line. Whether they were rushing three, four, or five guys, they were able to stay in their lanes and not allow Brady to buy any time. Brady was never allowed to settle in, same for the Pats wide receivers that were bumped off their routes every play. The Pats have not looked that out of sync in a long time.
THE NOT SO FINER: Similarly, the patriots offense just didn't play well on their own accord. Lots of uncharacteristic dropped balls, a poor run game, and mistakes, such as the botched fake punt, led to their demise. Which leads me to ...
THE UGLY: Urgency. New England had zero. The Patriots looked like a team running the clock out for the last quarter and a half. Only problem was they were down by two scores, AND there was still a quarter and a half left. Points aren't going to score themselves, especially when you're endlessly running the ball right into the teeth of one of the best defenses in the league.

Next week, its the Steelers/ Jets, and the Bears/ Packers. On one hand you have the potential for the greatest road to the Super Bowl run ever if the Jets manage to beat the Steelers. The Steelers, Patriots, and Colts account for 6 Super Bowls and two more appearances in the last decade. To beat all of them on the road, in the playoffs, would be an all timer. In the NFC, you have a renewal of the leagues oldest rivalry. Playing in the last week of the season, the Bears had nothing to gain and lost, allowing the Packers into the playoffs. This meeting should be a much different story. It's still early, but right now I'd take the Jets to ride their high and advance, along with the Bears and their defense to stifle Aaron Rodgers and the Pack.

YELLOW 'MELO

Carmelo Anthony needs to stand his ground. If it really is what he wants, then he needs to make it clear that it's Knicks or bust. It has been apparent from the start of the season that Anthony has been trying to avoid the same fallout Lebron had after the "Decision," but it's not working anymore. The team is struggling. The fans are starting to boo. Something must be done now.

Carmelo will be traded by the deadline. Both sides could only be considered idiots if this didn't happen. Some of the Nuggets front office came over from Toronto last year, and don't want a repeat of the Chris Bosh situation. (Bosh ultimately declined all trades and left as a free agent, giving Toronto nothing back in return.) It behooves Carmelo to have a deal done to guarantee himself money should the impending lockout make cut backs to things like the salary cap, or terms of player deals. Some say that Anthony would accept a trade to the Nets and sign an extension because its close to NY and the Knicks. They're wrong. It still is not the Knicks. Example: The Clippers and Lakers are so close to each other that play in the same building. You know what the difference between playing for the Clippers and playing for the Lakers is though? Everything. The Lakers stand for great players, tradition, champions, a worldwide fan base, etc. Same for the Nets in place of the Knicks argument. Different fans, different history, different sense of passion every time you hit the court. Plus he would be part of a team, not the entire team.

I suppose the real question here would be why is Carmelo Anthony even in this position? Why didn't he just take a three year extension with Denver that would have ran its course this past summer, than the four year deal he's currently stuck in? Did he want to be the center of attention and not have to take a back seat to James, Bosh, and Wade, and it just backfired? Or was his agent simply greedy and wanted more guaranteed money for himself? Had Carmelo signed a three year deal, the Knicks would have signed him last summer with all of the unused cap space that didn't go to Lebron, and he would already have his wish. Whatever happens, and hopefully it happens soon, I hope Carmelo stands pat and makes himself heard. It is his future and his legacy after all, so why not take control of it. Every time he is passive with the media, he sets himself up for the Lebron fall out he so desperately doesn't want. He may be a killer on the court, but the way things are playing out off it shines a new light. A bright yellow one.

BOWL REVIEW

College football is far and away my most favorite sport to follow. So one last chance to write about it before it goes dormant is tough to pass up. Now that all of the bowl games have been played out, here are some quick thoughts.

If you bet along with the Finerside, you're a winner. Myself, along with all of our staff here (which is still just myself), were 24 - 11 picking bowl game winners. Perhaps there's a future for me being as a bookie after all. My predictions for the two best games were accurate, except I would flip them. I initially had the title game 1, and the Rose Bowl 1A. I realize the championship came down to a last second field goal, but there was little drama in it. Oregon gave up the big play on the final drive early, so the last 90 seconds was mostly Auburn killing the clock, and then kicking the worlds shortest field goal. On the other hand, I felt like the Rose Bowl lived up to all the hype of the David vs. Goliath battle, with David prevailing. TCU proved that they are the real deal, and very deserving of their #2 rank in the final polls. It's just too bad they never had that chance before the bowl season started. Best prediction: TCU. It wasn't Appalachian State over Michigan, but still not too shabby a pick. Worst prediction: Nebraska. My sincere apologies to Washington and Husky Nation. Although everyone I know personally from Husky Nation was drinking heavily in anticipation of the same thing I was. Is it crazy to think the UW football team may have as many road wins as its basketball team?

Best player to leave for the pros: Nick Fairley, Auburn. Not quite as naturally strong as Suh was last year, the man is a game changer as evident in the title game. Best player coming back: Andrew Luck, Stanford. Whenever the sure fire #1 pick returns to your school it's a good thing. Regardless of who Stanford finds to replace Harbaugh at head coach, Luck should continue to shine all year long. Best Team: Oklahoma. Not too many teams go 12 - 2 in what could still be considered a rebuilding year. Next year this team returns a lot of its current roster, and has a top 5 recruiting class on its way in. Scary. Biggest rebuilding team: TCU. I chose TCU for two reasons. One, they lose a lot of their big players. Coach Gary Patterson has to prove if he has built a program, or just one amazing team. Two, TCU makes the move to the Big East where they should still be the top dog, and in return win maybe one or two basketball games all year in conference. The change gives them a better opportunity to climb the rankings though with a higher preseason position, and reach their ultimate goal of making the title game. Hopefully that's enough incentive to return as strong as ever.

The new season is 7 months away, but who cares? With all of the big name coaching changes and conference shakeups, there will be plenty to discuss. Hell, the NFL Network strings people along all year re-airing the draft 5 times a day until its relevant again in November, so why should it be any different for college fans.

Chip Change

One year later, and the same result. An excellent Oregon team ends its season with a loss. Difference is, last year the players lost it out on the field. This year the coach lost it from the sidelines. Chip Kelly is an unbelievable coach who's uptempo style offense is something that needs to be seen to be believed. His play book is innovative, fast, and out for blood. Yet somehow I feel like he got away from it too much in last nights BCS title game, and possibly even panicked. Oregon left a lot of points off the scoreboard early on and late in the game, and I felt alot of it had to do with the play calling. Highlight example: Late in the game Kelly runs a successful fake punt, and on the next play catches Auburn sleeping with a deep ball that gets taken down to around the 2 yard line. As the Oregon receiver was stumbling towards the goal line, my initial thought was he better get in or they may not score. Four plays later, first and ten Auburn from the one yard line. I don't mind the fact that Oregon went for the TD, mainly because if you watched them at all this year you knew it was four down territory. What I didn't like though was the bland play calls, especially for an innovator like Kelly. Four predictable option runs, four stops. The same for an early possession, that led to a field goal instead of a TD. Oregon had only 75 yards on the ground, but 375 through the air. Yet they continued to pound the ball with no real gain. In the third quarter they had two first and ten conversions in succession on a wide receiver screen pass, and never went back to it. What happened to these plays? On their second two point try of the night, Oregon QB Darren Thomas rolled out and threw the ball for an easy conversion. Where was that when it would have counted for six? I'm still baffled at how Kelly gave the okay on two different kick return trick plays, but couldn't find something else for his team down where the game is lost and won. All the credit to both defenses for making both coaches have to reevaluate their game plans with inspired play. Auburn prevailed in the race to adapt though, evident by their 21 yards in the first quarter, and 250+ in the second quarter. Chip Kelly is an excellent coach that should find himself the opportunity to be a champion again. Hopefully next time he'll be ready.

WILD CARD WEEKEND

As the road to the Super Bowl got underway this past weekend, I share with you my thoughts on the games and those moving on.

SEAHAWKS 41 - SAINTS 36
Rarely is it a shock when an underdog knocks off a favorite in any professional sport. Even if a team is bad in comparison to the others around its respective league, the members of that team are still in the top 1% of people who play that sport. They are pros for a reason after all. Still, this game was a big surprise. Being a ten point underdog, at home and in the playoffs, is almost unheard of. The Saints offense performed well, but the injuries at the running game really hurt them in establishing a balanced attack. More importantly, a defense that was ranked fourth in the league was beat all day long, culminating in an unbelievable run by Marshawn Lynch that had more broken tackles than a Bass Pro Fisherman event. Lots of credit has to go to Matt Hasselbeck and the offense as well. The receivers route running was stellar, and Hasselbeck made all the throws. Next week the Seahawks travel to Chicago, where they should meet the end of their season. The Bears defense is relentless and reliable. Without the "12th Man" at Qwest behind them, I expect the 'Hawks to lose big. PREDICTION: BEARS 27 - SEAHAWKS 10

JETS 17 - COLTS 16
Last year the Colts sent the Jets packing en route to the big one down in Miami. This year the Jets flipped the script behind a revamped defense and a beat up Colts offense. It also helps when your running back duo combines for over 200 yards on the ground. Of all the high profile moves in the off season, LaDanian Tomlinson has provided the best return on his dollar. Peyton Manning was still his old self, moving the Colts into field goal winning position before the defense gave it back, but you have to wonder if this is the beginning of the end. Manning is still an elite QB, but it seems continuing to carry the offense by himself may be too much to ask. Next week the Jets renew their war of words with the Patriots in Foxboro, where they should be shown the exit. The Jets do a very good job of disguising Mark Sanchez's typical so so play, but gimmicks don't work against the best in football. Especially in their own house. PREDICTION: PATRIOTS 31 - JETS 17

BALTIMORE 30 - CHIEFS 7
Look out. When the Baltimore offense performs as well as they did Saturday, they are as tough to beat as anyone else in the league. Ray Rice and the ground game was productive as usual, but I felt alot of that success was due to Joe Flacco's ability to spread the ball around. The Ravens defense may be old, but its still a league front runner and had 5 turnovers to show for it. Jamaal Charles' one big run excluded, the Chiefs were unable to open up their offense at all. An offense that goes three and out make for a weary defense. A weary defense makes for extra running room and holes in the coverage. Next week the Ravens head to Pittsburgh. These games are always physical, low scoring tests of will. Another slug fest seems imminent. PREDICTION: BALTIMORE 15 - PITTSBURGH 13

PACKERS 21 - EAGLES 16
This is one of those games where you wonder if Green Bay won it, or Philadelphia lost it. I would say the Eagles lost it. Don't get me wrong. The Packers offense was sound, and their defense was very well prepared for Mike Vick and his run/pass style offense. Still, as bad as the Eagles played the difference in the game were two chip shots for an otherwise clutch kicker, and they had a better than average chance for a go ahead score in the final minutes. More production on the offensive side of the ball likely would have led to a 10 point win. Next week the Packers head to Atlanta in a showdown of two of the leagues best young quarterbacks. The breakdown match up at position and sides of the ball is close on all accounts, except for the Packers defensive line and Falcons run game. This should be the highest scoring game of the weekend. PREDICTION: FALCONS 34 - PACKERS 28

DON'T CALL IT LUCK

At approximately three o'clock Pacific yesterday, Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. were frantically rearranging their NFL draft boards while Jimmy Clausen was fist pumping in the mirror and all the other deutschy things he probably does in his alone time. That's because Andrew Luck declared he would be staying in school. The first thing I thought when I heard this -- "DUH!" I understand all of the cons that every player weighs when faced with the option of not leaving for the NFL. Injury, under performing, and the money are all viable reasons for making the jump early and nothing you can fault any player, past or present, for doing. When you look at Luck however, it was obvious he'd be staying for three reasons.

3. LOCKOUT
As of right now, nobody in the game of football could say for sure that there will be a season next year in the NFL. Why then would Luck leave for an uncertainty when it's not a necessity. As i said, you could never fault a person for taking sure money to better their and their families situation. From the outside looking in however, it's evident that Luck comes from a stable background. You have to appreciate his mentality here, rather than the "take the money and run" approach.

2. THE MAN'S A NERD
While I realize athletes always get somewhat of a pass when it comes to the classroom, you don't just show up everyday and get a 3.4 GPA. Especially at Stanford. This is always the first thing you should look at while wondering if a student athlete is leaving for the pros or not. Some skate by until the pros come calling, others are actually invested. It seems clear that Luck takes the classroom seriously, and has every intent of getting his degree. At any moment of any day Andrew Luck could wake up and not be able to play football anymore, but nothing could ever take away the fact that he finished school and has something waiting for him after football. If you don't think things like this are important, head over to wikipedia and look up Ryan Leaf.

1. THE MAN

I know, I know. How many times in your life will someone offer you a multi-million dollar contract. Not often. But the opportunity to make money, albeit perhaps not that much, will always present itself. Now ask yourself this. How many times do you have the opportunity to be THE MAN on a college campus? Exactly once. People once questioned Colt McCoy for passing on millions to stay at Texas. When you think about it though, why would he leave? Being THE MAN on a campus where football is king has to be worth a few million dollars. Right? McCoy may never become a champion at the next level and fall into the mediocre category, but I guarantee you he'll never forget his days at Texas. Anyone who has ever been to college knows it should be a rather entertaining last year and a half in college for Luck.

If it were me, I can't even say I would make the same choice. Being the #1 pick in any sport essentially guarantees you financial stability for the foreseeable future. So kudos to Andrew Luck. In the current sports world of big contracts and even bigger egos, its refreshing in remembering that you do have the option of saying no. Besides, who wants to play for Carolina anyways. Although, with that deutsche bag Jimmy Clausen at the helm, chances are they'll have the top pick again next year too.

THE WAITING GAME

In 1998, the MLB was in bad shape. The Yankees were back on top which is always good for business, but the 1994 - '95 strike left such a bad taste in everyone's mouth. Suddenly America's game was taking a backseat to the other major sports. In come Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa as they effectively carried the entire sport on their back while chasing down Roger Maris' single season home run record of 61. McGuire would end with 70, Sosa 66. No offensive letdown was in sight as home runs went up and up and the new record was pushed to 73 by Barry Bonds. Baseball was back. Baseball was profitable. Baseball was in trouble.

In 2003, a mysterious liquid. "the clear." was anonymously mailed to the USADA. An undetectable steroid, it is traced back to a variety of places. Most notably to BALCO Labs, and Victor Conte. Their biggest client: Barry Bonds. Uh oh. Over the next four years, more and more of the games greats were exposed as cheaters, culminating at the end of 2007 with the Mitchell Report and its complete list of those known to take steroids. Rather then all at once, names were leaked one bombshell at a time. When the dust settled, dozens of sure fire, first ballot hall of famers had their names and legacy tarnished. As time went on, the game cleaned itself up. A stricter drug test regimen seemingly always leads to one suspension a year for some dope, pun intended, that didn't get the memo. Baseball isn't out of the clear yet though (pun not intended). Every year it's still presented with one tough decision, and will be for the foreseeable future.

Yesterday, Rafael Palmeiro got less than ten percent of the votes needed to get into the Hall of Fame. Mark McGuire has been on the ballots for a few years now, and while the number of votes he gets continues to go up, he's still not in. Next year, Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, and Roger Clemens join them in their first year of eligibility. To think that one of the best pitchers of the last quarter century and the home run king may never make it to Cooperstown is absurd. Plenty of people cheated and didn't put up half the numbers these guys did. Their talent alone should be worth half the votes needed. Still they did what they did, which shouldn't go without some sort of punishment. If it were me, I would say make them wait the maximum run of eligibility, or 15 years. That way every year the players, the fans, and the media can be reminded of the embarrassment and shame these players brought on themselves and the game. Sooner or later time will give way to leniency, and these guys will find their way in. The same way Pete Rose should find himself at the podium in Cooperstown some day, assuming he can pull himself away from the Forum Shops in Las Vegas for the weekend. You cant leave out the greats. You can make them wait though.

2011, A LOOK AHEAD

2010 has come and gone, and what a year it was. Perennial underdogs rose to the top (Saints, SF Giants, Blackhawks), the NBA struck gold as one of sports truest rivalries wrote a new chapter,  and heroes fell from grace (Tiger Woods, Lebron James). America even found the time to stake a claim in two forgotten sports, hockey and soccer, on a national level. So what could possibly be next? Here are stories, from three to one, sure to top the headlines as the year gets underway.

3. NCAA FOOTBALL
Feel free to look back at my first post, B(c)S, to get an understanding on my thoughts about the BCS system. Not good. The year is four days old, and the NCAA is already under some serious fire. TCU is undefeated, and looks as good as any team in the nation. Where's their title shot? Cam Newton is six days away from playing in the National Championship game. How long before his Heisman and school wins are revoked from this season? Terrell Pryor and 5 other Buckeyes broke the rules. Why are they even allowed to play and what's the lesson learned if they all use their 'Get Out of Jail Free" card and jump for the draft? There are a lot of things that college football needs to take a look in the mirror at in the coming months. It's never a good thing when the new season is still 8 months away and the media has its first story. The state of the NCAA offices and their golden child, Ohio State, are poised for the front page.

2. TIGER WOODS

One year, one month, one week, one day ago, I turned on the TV and Tiger Woods was in critical condition. If the sports world had lost him right there it had the potential of being on the level of the music world losing John Lennon. It didn't though and in the next 72 hours the world's most accomplished individual athlete fell about as far as one could imagine, landing somewhere between Lebron James and Mike Vick. Lebron lost respect and a fan base but replaced it with another. Mike Vick lost everything, plain and simple. Tiger lost money, respect, some fans, and most importantly his family. 2010 turned out to be a pretty trying time for Tiger, but as the 2011 PGA schedule gets under way in the coming month he will be front page news every time he tees it up. Mike Vick received the biggest do over an athlete has ever been awarded and returned an improved player and person. It's now up to Tiger to do the same, and I would expect the media to be documenting his every step in that direction.

1. LOCKOUT(S)

A fan of the NHL, I was disappointed when the NHL lost an entire season in 2004 - 2005. In the 1998 - 1999 basketball season, I was dumbfounded that NBA would lose half a season in addition to its biggest star in league history (Michael Jordan retired for a second time at the end of the 1998 season). In 1994, I was too young to realize the effects of a strike on the MLB. Seventeen years later I fully understand its effects, starting with a number that ends in the neighborhood of eight zeroes. As in that's probably on the low side of what the NFL and NBA could lose combined should the two suffer a lockout. A year lost from football is like losing two in any other sport. A handful of the NBA's biggest stars aren't getting younger. Both sports are cash cows, especially football, so it's hard to imagine a deal not getting done. Until that happens though, this is the biggest sports story of the year. If no deal ever gets done, we can just go ahead and change "of the year" to "of the decade."