Musings: The View on Sports from a Dormroom, By Coby DuBose, 12/28/05

While bloggers extraordinaire make their last attempts to impress waiting judges and others write of the year past, it seems that sports have become somewhat cliche. While using catchy phrases may be one wrong, writers everywhere have gotten lazy when it comes to reporting on the games that make blood pressures rise and bring heroes into the eye of public patronage. The view from the sidelines is markedly different than the view from the press box and the sightline from a college dorm room is certainly a unique perspective. As I reflect back upon the year that was in the sporting world, a few things have stood out to me, and for different reasons. Good stories have warmed the heart while certain figures have left the average sports fan wanting answers. At the risk of becoming cliche, I too will review the year of 2005 in the world of sports, in no particular order.

USC

It is hard to believe that just 11 short months ago, Southern California was embarrasing Oklahoma in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. Shortly following that, an increased level of expected ESPN sensationalism followed to set up what could be described as a fairy tale season. Quarterback Matt Leinart made headlines every time he got out of the shower and Reggie Bush is already being tauted as an NFL Hall of Famer. USC has become somewhat like that good beer than no college student can afford. While the rest of the college football world flounders around the level of Busch Light or Natty, USC has distinguished itself as the Bud Light of the college football world. They ran through their 2005 slate in somewhat impressive fashion, overcoming a few speed bumps. Their January 4th matchup with Texas will decide if they have yet acheived greatness, or if they too will leave sports' fans begging.

Terrell Owens

Terrell Owens finally got what he deserved in the long run. The controversial figure is like that trash that has been sitting around for four weeks that your roommate refuses to take out. It has been around for a while, keeps piling up, and smells worse with every day. By the end of the Owens' ordeal, football fans were tired of hearing from him and looking at him. The Eagles can be commended for finally doing the right thing and excercising their right to punish Owens for his antics, even if it did mean a pitiful and disappointing season for the franchise.

New Orleans Saints

Many teams carried on as the shining light for New Orleans sports after hurricane Katrina, but the Saints were thrust into the position of being the "face of the city". Their efforts on opening day were inspiring, even for this Panthers' fan. The way in which they battled while helping out their community over the course of the season is something that could allow fans to think that everything might be just fine.

NHL

The National Hockey League finally got their act together and put a new and improved product on the ice. No one seemed to miss the toothless warriors during their absence, but now that they are back on the ice, fans have been unexpectedly receptive of the game. Wayne Gretsky is behind the bench for the Coyotes and young stars are carrying the league.

College Basketball

Roy Williams finally won the big one and all of North Carolina's solid contributors left for the NBA. Beyond the winning Tar Heels, there were numerous reasons for people to enjoy last year's college basketball season. Boston College stole the show  by winning their first 21 games, while John Cheney was unfairly berated for his conduct in a late season game. After all, don't we all need a personal "goon" some time. Wake Forest and West Virginia played an excellent second round game, with West Virginia grabbing the collective heartstrings of the American public and the name "Pittsnogle" becoming one of household status. Illinois had a great season, and who can forget Bruce Weber's emotional run after losing his mother. If the 2005-2006 basketball season and tournament comes close to matching that of last season, it will have done well.

Baseball: Steroids, Controversy, and Balance

For the fifth straight season, George Steinbrenner's attempts to buy a World Series Championship was thrwarted by one of his foes. In the most unlikely of October Classics, the Chicago White Sox used good pitching to sweep away the Houston Astros. Many things captivated baseball fans in 2005, including Rafael Palmeiro's 3000th hit and his subsequent doping suspension. Sammy Sosa forgot how to speak English in a congressional hearing and Capitol Hill finally got something right. Their strong push for steroid regulations is something that the game has long been in need of. Some new names have emerged, like Zach Duke, Orlando Hudson, and Jeff Francouer. Old faces seemed to have gotten better with age as Roger Clemens had the best season of his career. Baseball has given fans significant reason to hope for an interesting 2006.

NBA

The Spurs won the championship, right? Oh, and Steve Nash has nasty soccer skills.

Tennis

James Blake and Roger Federer dominated the headlines as both emerged. Blake is a great story in his fight to top, while Federed cemented his place as an all-time great in dominating grand slam victories. The day in London which he ran Andy Roddick all over the court was as comprehensive a tennis victory as one could hope for.

Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods won the Masters for the fourth time, and in dominating fashion. While he may have needed extra holes to win the green jacket over Chris DiMarco, it was clear that Tiger Woods was "back", if he ever had left. Woods showed flashes of brilliance at the British Open to claim the Clarret Jug as the golf world watched the grace and dignity of Jack Nicklaus in his last Open Championship. The passing of the torch was a story in itself. While Jack embodied competitiveness, grace, and class, it is clear that Tiger has himself taken kindly to those characteristics. Woods has slowly but surely become the greatest golfer in the world, while showing the distinctive dignity of a true champion.

Football

The football season has been an exciting one. The Colts gave the sports fan another look at near perfection and the afformentioned USC Trojans have embodied the premise over the year. NFL headlines have been dominated by the resurgence of the Bears, the Bengals, and the continued steadiness of the New England Patriots. While week 17 and the playoff slate just around the corner, the professional football fan can claim that the best is still to come.

The College football slate was a little less impressive than its professional counterpart, but for the first time, the BCS has given us the only two undefeated teams in a championship game. Penn State had a great season, giving Joe Paterno one last shot at greatness. Alabama took a 8-0 record into their game with LSU, before falling. New coaches dominated the early season news wire as Charlie Weis took the reins at Notre Dame and the Ole'  Ball Coach returned to coach hapless South Carolina. Weis's decision to run a play for a dying Indiana boy was far and away the most touching moment of the sports season. The boy, who passed away shortly after making his request to Weis, would certainly have been pleased by the execution of "pass to the right" by Brady Quinn and the Irish. Spurrier took over a South Carolina team that has never felt the joy of a great season, and led them to a one win improvement in 2005. Still muddled in mediocrity, the Gamecocks suffered some embarrasing losses under the direction of Spurrier, while still falling short at the hands of rival Clemson for the fourth straight season.

Brett Favre is hanging on by a thread in Green Bay to a career that seems to be gone. While injuries and poor offensive line play have certainly plagued the Packers, it would seem that Brett Favre's inability to protect the football has something to do with their 3-12 record. Favre is similar to a day old pizza, sitting on the floor of an apartment or dorm. It was good while it lasted and it was certainly enjoyed, but its time has past and most people are tired of seeing it sit there. While Favre is certainly entitled to go out on his own terms, it would seem that two straight awful seasons could tarnish his legacy.

Like most sports fans, the most important thing that happens in the sports world is the thing that happened to the team you pull for. Being a Clemson student, the Tigers' 8-4 record in football was enough to keep me satisfied. The school's continued dominance over South Carolina is certainly important, with the Tigers taking 4 straight in football, and two straight in both baseball and basketball.

There are certain things that need to happen in 2006 in order for it to be a good year. First of all, the little lady who sits behind me at Clemson football games needs to stop trying to make me sit down. While I am all for respect and the like, how can she actually expect me to sit on 3rd and 11? Orlando Hudson needs to get more recognition. He won a gold glove in 2005 and makes all of the great plays in addition to the good ones. If he could bat ten points higher, he would be a superstar. Mark Cuban needs to do something outrageous. Samkon Gado needs to be a starter for someone in 2006. Bob Ley needs to get more credit from ESPN for the great job that he does. I need more Jilian Barberie. Lastly, the sports world needs more of the ever emerging good guys. While the controversial figures are having their time now, it is time for the good guys to get their due. I know its coming, and when it does, I will be there to celebrate their deeds, as well as blog about it.

Thanks to all the bloggers who have read my posts. Good Luck!