I love writing this sports blog. It gives me a chance to speak to others (however small a number they may be) who share my passion for sports. When I write about topics I like, it allows me to release my pent-up thoughts about it to people who actually know that the NBA is not a degree you earn! But, try as I might, I really couldn't find anything good to write about recently. Aside from my well-responded piece about the end of the NBA Finals, I haven't written for most of the week. Why is that?

Because the current period of time (post-basketball and pre-football) may be the most wretched period of the sports year. A period where nothing but pure bull#### reigns supreme! A period where pseudo-sports like soccer, golf and tennis try to (and fail, mostly) appeal to people. And, of course, a time to catch up on your sleep and wait for the NFL to start again.

So, to pass by the time, I will rant, er, speak of these niche sports and why they don't appeal to me. Just so I can write and rant, er, give an opinion. Let's start with

Soccer: Ah, yes, can you catch the fever that is Euro Cup 2008! I sure as hell can't! What puzzles me is that BSPN, er, ESPN, has devoted weeks (as a matter of fact, the entire month of June) to this 'stuff'. And when I see this 'stuff' on all of its networks, I can only think "Isn't there an ESPN 2098 to show this on!?!?". And now, the greatest indignity: It will be shown on ABC as well. Boy, isn't that just great 'stuff'! I know some soccer goof will come onto this page and say "Soccer is watched all over the world, including America". And I did read a report that said over 50% of European soccer fans would rather watch the soccer than make love. I say "How bankrupt are these guys lives that soccer matters more than whoopee!". Soccer is a game for those who don't want to have fun in their lives. And can someone explain the rules (wait, don't bother)? Did you see how Turkey won yesterday? They scored in that extra time 'stuff' they apparently agree on, and then won on penalty kicks! Look, I agree with Jim Rome here; I don't get it, soccer fan, and I don't want to get it!

Golf: Golf is boring. That's my feelings in a quickie. And now that Tiger has ended his season with more knee surgery, what is there to watch and get excited about. "Choke" Mickelson? Some Orientals who I've never heard of? I won't insult anymore people, but there's no personality in golf, and with no Tiger, there's no reason to watch. Period.

Gymnastics: Yep, even today, we'll get the start of many Olympic qualifiers. I really am not a fan of the Olympics, not because they're in Beijing, but because the spectacle isn't what it used to be, when the late, great Jim McKay waxed poetic on the athletes. It seems like half the track athletes are users, and the other half are suspected of cheating. I only watch for the basketball, and even that seems strained. The excitement doesn't add up to me, and no matter how hard they try to sell it, I can't buy it.

Tennis: Yes, Wimbledon starts Monday on ESPN2. I can remember the days it was on HBO, and greats like Sampras and Agassi were in them. Sadly, that's not the case today. Tennis, liek golf, suffers from "Lackofpersonality-itis". The best players rarely make hay as celebs, and few of us actually know about them. Not to sound prejudiced, but the fact that few Americans are contenders drains its value here, too. No offense to Federer and Nadal; they worked hard to attain greatness. But nobody here cares, and until they acquire some personality, tennis will be doomed to ESPN2 at best.

You may notice I left out baseball. Baseball loves this time of year; no comp from any real sports allows it to be king. But the king has a few cracks in the royal veneer. The pace of baseball hurts, and I find it funny that there was a recent incident that dealt with time of the game issues; they actually enforce that? And make up your minds about replay. You should have had it years ago, and don't give me that "it will further slow the game down" argument; that's bull!

Finally, before I end the venom, let me get to Arlen Specter. The annoying senator recently said he will continue to look into Spygate. Thank goodness he has the time to do that. It's not like there are more pressing issues (war, unemployment, the elections, home foreclosures, etc.) that need to be dealt with. Look, Arlen, you're not going to get your precious Eagles that Super Bowl title that the Patriots won a few years ago. SO get off the case, Clouseau! All you're doing is annoying more than half the country by keeping this 'stuff' in the news!

And, before I forget, the NBA draft is also coming up. I never understood the appeal of the NBA draft. This class doesn't overwhelm me, and the coverage seems like overkill. I guess because after about the 1,000 Beasley-Rose discussion, I just don't care. And NBA TV is now replaying past drafts. As though we don't remember who was picked! Give me classic games, not classic drafts!

There, I've vented. I just hope that I can survive this boring period, and football can start; I need to boo the Lions bad! See you later, with hopefully an actual topic!