I'm really getting tired of hearing about it...several East NBA All-Stars said that Kobe was "gunning" for a second MVP trophy.  To that I only have this to say:

So what?  So what if Kobe wanted to prove on the All-Star stage that he is still the best basketball player on the planet?  So what if he and LeBron went back and forth in the fourth quarter and were bantering back and forth to each other?  Does nobody remember the early 90's all-star games, or the 80's?  I hate comparing MJ to Kobe, but even at the all-star game Jordan wanted to win and prove his worth.  Shame on the players for getting too friendly with one another, and for bickering about Kobe's performance.  Did you have a problem with it?  Why not drive to him going to the hole and drop a little 'bow in his chest, or better yet, say something?  But no, instead tell Marty Burns of si.com, who looks all of 5'10", maybe 165 lbs. 

Who cares if Kobe wanted the trophy.  As my favorite player, it was pure joy for me to watch Kobe play the game the way he did.  That reverse slam towards the end of the game where he blew by everyone?  Icing on the cake.  The east players must have been too concerned about Kobe's performance to realize they were actually playing a game, judging by the closeness of the game; what, a 21-point difference?  Kobe wasn't the only one there to play, the entire Western Conference was there to play.  They were pissed that they'd lost the last 2 games, and wanted to come out to prove a point.  Think Kobe was the one with MVP on his mind?  How about Shawn Marion, who played ridiculously, running all over the court.  How about Amare, who again is wowing me with each game he plays.  29 points?  How about the block KG had on DW3 in the paint, tossing the ball into the stands.  Did you see his face afterwards?  He was there to play...they all were.  Kobe just shined.  Not because he had the MVP on his mind, but because he's the best player in basketball.  Period.

Boy, do I ever owe you an apology.  As soon as the news broke about the airport incident, I jumped to judgement and concluded you were stupid.  Now, a few days later, you've been cleared, "exonorated."  I don't want to use that word, because it isn't fair and shouldn't apply to you.  You were suspected of something, you didn't do anything, and that should be it.  I shouldn't have judged you, I should have waited until the results were released to pass judgement.  The Atlanta Falcons seemingly jumped to conclusions, although I wasn't in the meeting, so I don't know what was said.  Maybe they were just mad about the PR thing, and rightfully so. 

So I apologize, Mike, from the bottom of my heart.  You deserve more than that, and didn't get it.  Then this morning I'm driving to work, and a sports talk show plays the skit from this weekend on SNL.  Although it was funny, it should have been aimed more at Carmelo Anthony than you.  Sports columnists and the general media shunned you almost immediately after it happened, and now, you're still "under jury" for your innocence in the court of public opinion.  Bah, humbug. 

Screw the media...focus this offseason on getting to know your new playbook.  Talk to your coaches, pick Petrino's brain, go to Arizona or the keys, or stay in Flowery Branch, and throw with your receivers.  Become the leader you need to be, and lead this team.  Have your "Manning" moment.  Don't let a career of unfulfilled talent be your legacy.  You can do it, Mike...at least I know you can. 

As we head into Championship Weekend, I thought I'd reflect on this past college season....

1.  If Reggie Bush doesn't win the Heisman this year, it's a trave-sha-mockery!!

8.6 yards a carry!!!  Do voters, or fans for that matter, really need more proof?  The man is the best college player in the country, maybe in the last 15 years (Barry Sanders---beast!).  His performance against Fresno State is beyond an "instant classic."  That should forever immortalize "The Prez" not only in college football fans minds, but especially Heisman voters.  USC is the best team in the country, no doubt.  But, it's hard to imagine them still being undefeated if not for Bush (i.e. Look against Fresno!).  2338 all-purpose yards is astounding, especially considering Bush's backfield mate, LenDale White.  He has 1000 yards himself, so imagine what Bush's stats would look like without sharing the carries. 

2.  Matt Leinart is the best QB in the country. 

All I know is that whoever has a 3-6 pick in the draft and needs a QB (see Miami), they should really really think about trading up to pick him up.  He's gonna be a great one in the NFL. 

3.  I'm really torn between the playoff-system or the BCS. 

Every year the BCS gets slammed and slammed and slammed...but they may have it right this year with 2 undefeated big-program schools.  Last year was tough.  There is NO reason Auburn shouldn't have been given the chance to play USC in the championship game last year.  This year may be right....as long as both win.  If not, here we go again....I say a plus one should be sufficient.

4.  He's baaaaaaack.....

Yes, Steve Spurrier is back in the SEC, doing well again.  Sounds like the '90's all over again, which I hated by the way (Georgia fan, remember??).  Give this man to the '07 season, then watch out.  And believe me, it pains me to say that.  He inherited an offense full of option players, and look what he did.  Blake Mitchell looks solid for the next couple of years, and not having the elite Fun-n-Gun made Spurrier use the run a little more. 

5.  Florida State is buried as long as Bowden is still there

I know the same had been said for JoePa until this year, but I believe it's a different story in T-town.  Bowden's slipped on his recruiting, and with Urban Meyer heading Florida, and 2 fast-rising programs in USF and UCF, whew, watch out.

6.  Notre Dame is back and better than ever

Welcome to South Bend, Charlie Weis.  Good job this season.  Weis has turned Brady Quinn into a sure-fire top draft pick in the 07 draft, and made a #1 receiver out of former bench-warmer Joe Samardzija. 

7.  Here's my prediction for next year's National Championship Game:

Notre Dame - USC

I just read that 'Dre Bly, the "all-world" cornerback of the Detroit Lions blamed the firing of ex-coach Steve Mariucci on quarterback Joey Harrington. 

"We're all at fault, but I just feel like Joey Harrington's been here four years, and being the No. 3 pick in the draft, he hasn't given us anything," Bly told the paper. "He hasn't given us what the third pick in the draft should give us."

Really, Dre?  You sure about that one?  Want a minute or two to think it over when there isn't a microphone in your face?

Look, I'm not a Joey Harrington apologist.  I know that most Lions fans (if not all) dislike #3, and wish they had a different quarterback.  For the most part, I can understand where they're coming from. 

I'm of a different opinion, though.  As valuable as the quarterback position is, he alone will not win you games...not even if you're Michael Vick, Tom Brady, etc. (Hey, I have to give props to my boy Mike first, y'all know that!)  Let's look at the facts:  the Lions have used their last three first-round picks on WR's.  Last THREE!!!  And how much have they been on the field to help?  And not all three together--just one??  I don't watch the Lions much, but I do know that Mike Williams has missed some time already, Charles Rogers has been hurt so much I think he bruises when looked at, and Roy Williams (who will be a great one) has been hurt as well.  So hmmmm, if a supporting cast isn't around, what good can a QB do?  Not just that, but last I heard, protection is a pretty important thing when it comes to being effective not only as a QB, but an entire offense. 

Hey 'Dre, how's your defense doing this year?  You missed 4 games, you don't think that hurt your defense?  You're team is 11th against the pass, not bad....but 26th against the run?  You sure that doesn't hurt? 

Being a Falcons fan, and a Thanksgiving traditionalist, I did what any warm-blooded American man does....watch your tradition, your annual Turkey "Super" Bowl.  Being a huge Falcons fan, I watched the first 3 quarters with great attention, and you know what I saw?  A QB with potential, a team with no discipline, pass rush, pass protection, you name it.  My man Vick had a great game, and granted, you would have had 1, maybe 2 INT's if not for that huge hammer for a hand (I'm thanful for that, by the way).  But, I especially watched Harrington with great intent, because I had heard all this fuss and downtalk about him, so I had to see for myself.  Troy Aikman, a great analyst, was saying he didn't see a lot of the bad people were saying about Harrington.  I agree.  I think he can be at the least, a productive starter in this league.  His INT was because of a trip (not that I minded), and he had more than a few dropped passes, which didn't help his comp. pct.  He made some great throws!  Remember the series, 'Dre, when the o'line was bull-rushed on 3 straight occasions?  Patrick Kerney made a fool of the end guarding him, then did it again for a 1/2 sack, then a TEAM sack on 3rd down.  A TEAM SACK!!  You know what that means?  The offensive line is no good.  Why didn't your boy Matt Millen draft a lineman or two with those top picks?  Or trade for a lineman?  Alex Barron and Jammal Brown were available.  Oh that's right, it's because Matt Millen is a  horrible NFL executive.  Hmmmm....

The Lions are 20-55 under Millen.  Wow.  I could do better than that in my sleep, seriously.  'Dre, you could do better at assembling a team than Millen.  And your owner just gave him a 5-year extension.  Man, put me in that slot, I'd be in the money, baby!  Here's a little advice for your boy Millen this upcoming draft.  And tell him to listen, I have a good heart, with good intentions.  Being a Georgia fan as well, I can't help but notice the nation's best offensive-lineman on our team, a beast by then name of Max Jean-Gilles.  BIG boy, #74...take him with your #1 pick...it'll do Kevin Jones good, and maybe, just maybe....Joey too. 

His name is synonymous with sports entertainment.  He is the new generation of "Like Mike" commercials.  Except this isn't Jordan I'm talking about. 

His name is Michael Vick.  He is the quarterback for a second-place team in their division, very much in the playoff hunt as well as the Super Bowl, with the NFC not having a "powerhouse" this year.  He is the Atlanta Falcons leader, their offensive engine.  Yet he isn't as revered as one would think in the city of Atlanta. 

Let me get this out of the way right away -- I am a Falcons fan.  A huge one.  I don't live in Atlanta anymore, but do keep up with local news using the AJC.  Fans blog about how overrated Vick is, how much better the Falcons would be with Matt Schaub running the show (which proves that the backup QB is always the most popular man in town)????  Wow...how easy people forget how horrendous the Falcons were when Vick broke his leg in 2003.  But why do fans hate?  Take a look at the stats:

.658 career winning pct. (30-17 in the regular season)                                           
                        

His team has been to the playoffs the 2 full seasons he has been the starter

He is on the verge of giving the Falcons their first back-to-back winning seasons in franchise history

He does have the Falcons in Super Bowl contention, despite the Falcons run-defense woes.

For me, I appreciate Vick for two values -- he wins, and he is entertainment.  I can appreciate the "evolvement" of #7.  He has a thunder bolt for an arm, and lightning for legs.  He is unlike any other player this league has seen, stats just do not do this man justice.  But, for goodness sake, let's take a look at Vick in his last 4 games:

75 - 121, a 62% completion percentage, with 7 TDs and 1 INT, posting a combined QB rating of 99.3.  Pretty gaudy numbers to me.  Let's compare to the best QB in the NFL, for fun. 

Over his last 4 games, Tom Brady is 80-138, a 58% completion percentage, with 9 TDs and 6 INTs, posting a combined rating of 88.3. 

Now in no way am I trying to say that Vick is better than Brady, or that Vick is the best QB in the business.  Brady has 3 rings, enough said.  But, Vick is progressing as he should in the "West Coast" system.  He's become more patient in the pocket, is spreading the ball around to his receivers (see Crumpler with 100 yards receiving this past week, and Roddy White with 100 the previous week).  Have Falcon fans become so impatient already  that nothing short of 300-yard passing days coupled with 100-yard rushing days is a failure?  Bologne!!  Vick is the best thing to happen to this franchise (along with owner Arthur Blank and head coach Jim Mora--who posted a 60-something percentage approval rating this past week on another site????)  A Super Bowl berth will come in the next 2 years, and a title will accompany that.  I just want Falcons fans to appreciate Michael Vick for what he is, not what they want him to be.  He is the most dynamic athlete in the NFL, with Bo Jackson-like speed,  and a Elway-like cannon.  Enjoy the view guys, because he's only getting better.