Billy Crystal

Yawn.  As I stated on Dudski's post, let me know when Jerry Seinfeld tries out at RB for the Patriots, and their entire LB corps gang tackles him in a walk through without pads, and I might care.

Doubtful though.

Brett Favre and Politics

No, it's not what you're thinking.

I just read in the newspaper the other day that the Wisconsin legislature passed some bill honoring the now retired (which, as I've learned from Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Roger Clemens and others, could change next week) QB.

Wonderful.  We were the last state in the Union to pass a budget last year (some 9 months into the fiscal year as I recall), but it took them all of about 10 days to write this legislation and pass it.

That's not even the worst of it.  Why are we taking time out of working on important things like the budget, immigration laws, unemployment fixes, and the dreades oil/gas price explosion to work on something so incredibly stupid?

Do we really need an official Brett Favre holiday?  People around here already think he's God.  They don't go to church on Sunday, they sit and watch replays of his biggest games (which basically means playoff games....prior to 2000).

On a Related Topic....

Work is underway to make St. Patricks Day an official, federal holiday.

Why?  Here's another situation where we really don't need to make this a federally recognized holiday in order to get drunk, and eat something that's going to give us really really bad gas (corned beef and cabbage).

Hey, before you get all bent out of shape thinking I'm bashing Irish people....I'M PART IRISH.

But what's going to happen here?  We've got St. Patty's day, Good Friday, Easter and all that mess jumbled up into 1 week's time this year.  All we'd be doing is giving Congress and the rest of the politicians another reason to take another 2 weeks off work (paid for by us of course) in the spring, and extend the amount of time we have to work before we've cleared the amount of income taxes they're going to molest us of.

Bobby Knight on ESPN....

As much as I dislike the guy, I can almost tolerate him now.  Well, based on the 1 time I heard him talking about the conference tourneys anyway.

But, he rambles a bit too much.

Come on, did you really expect me to LIKE a sports "analyst"?

Brett Favre

Ok, so he finally retired!  I really thought I'd be happy this day has finally come, but deep down I guess I knew it would only lead to 7 years of fans and media falling all over themselves worshiping him.

I really didn't think he would retire after coming so close to the super bowl last year, but it's starting to look like he basically told management "get me Randy Moss or I don't want to play anymore."

This rumor has Packer fans wanting to kill Ted Thompson, calling him selfish and claiming he's been trying to force Favre into retirement since he got the GM job.

I don't get it.  Why is it ok for Favre to be selfish and make demands on who the TEAM should sign for HIS benefit, but it's not ok for the GENERAL MANAGER to decide who or what is best for the team?

Nobody appreciates what Favre did in his time here more than I do.  The difference between myself and so many others, is that I also recognize and admit his mistakes.

I don't defend him for ill-advised passes into double coverage by saying he "feels like he needs to win on his own because he doesn't have enough talent around him."

I don't defend him for throwing a lob pass on a 15 yard out route when it gets intercepted and eventually leads to the game-winning score for the opponent.

And I certainly will NOT defend him for being selfish and telling management who they need to sign to make him want to return for his 8th annual pre-retirement tour.

Clemens, Bonds, etc.

So, politicians are now trying to talk the FBI out of investigating Clemens because they have more important things to worry about.

I couldn't agree more.  But, before you go accusing me of being racist (since I wrote several bits about what a pig Bonds was/is), here's my solution:

Throw them both out of baseball for good, make them both ineligible for the Hall Of Fame, and then and only then drop any investigations currently underway, or planned for the future (regarding the steroids, etc.  obviously, if one of them goes postal and whacks somebody, they're fair game).

You're darn tootin' the FBI has more important things to worry about.  Like, how about they work on the illegal immigration, the drug trafficking, or gang activity?

I don't believe for a second they don't have the manpower or time to get something done on these issues.  I just believe there's too much red tape.

Oh, and as far as Clemens, Bonds, or anyone else lying under oath....We know they did, as have a million other criminals (and some who weren't...until, of course, they lied under oath).  Instead of investigating anything beyond the lying under oath, why not just set a minimum fine of say....30% of their previous year's income (for anyone who lies under oath, not just rich baseball players).  Maybe that would deter people from fibbing in court.

Back to Favre....

There are some happy people in the world of football these days.  Vikings, Bears and Lions fans are all celebrating like crazy.  Somehow, the Viking and Bear fans believe their respective team is now in the driver's seat to win the NFC North this coming season just because Favre has decided to call it a career.

Why?  Well, isn't it obvious?  Green Bay now has an unproven QB stepping in, while the Bears have.....Rex Grossman, and the Vikings have....Tarvaris Jackson.

How fans of either of these teams can brag up those 2 guys is beyond me.  The Bears reached the super bowl last year in spite of Grossman, and the only reason Jackson has "led" the Vikings to any victories last year was some dude they call "All Day".

Best of luck Bears and Vikings and Lions.  We may have an unproven QB, but the Bears and Vikings have QB's who have only proven they can't get the job done.  While in Detroit, the only thing that has been proven is that Matt Millen is a complete moron.

I think I'll take my chances with the unproven Aaron Rodgers, and a GM who is not afraid to keep his checkbook in his pocket during the free agent frenzy, and instead build a team through the draft (I think it's worked out pretty well so far, don't you?).

Wisconsin Badgers:  Big Ten Champs!

The men's basketball team clinched at least a share of the regular season crown last night.  Not too shabby for a team almost everyone thought would finish in the middle of the pack this year after losing Alando Tucker and Kammron Taylor (approx. 33 PPG off last year's squad).

No superstars.  No prime time players.  No diaper dandies.  Just a solid bunch of kids who know how to play hard, play smart, and play together.  And it doesn't hurt to have a coach who knows how to get the most out of his team.

Kelvin Sampson

How sad is it that you can't even fire someone for breaking the rules, not just of his direct employer, but also of the governing body that polices said employer?

I'm far from feeling sorry for Indiana University.  They should have seen this coming.  Sampson didn't make 1 or 2 bad judgement calls (pun intended) while at Oklahoma.  He made over 500 if I remember correctly.

What on Earth made the PTB's at Indiana think he'd straighten out is beyond me.

However, they couldn't just fire him, they had to buy him out so he would agree not to file a lawsuit for wrongful termination.  $750,000 AFTER breaking NCAA recruiting violations not for the 2nd time, but after being given a 2nd chance at a well-respected University (which is saying something considering who coached their BB team for so many years before he and Mike Davis got there).

I'm sitting here trying to figure out what I can do at my place of employment where I can get a sweet termination/severence package like that.  Considering I make about $35-40K a year, I'd even settle for $7,500.

The Big NBA Trades (kinda, sorta...re-visited)

Shaq has played 2 games (that I know of) as a member of the Phoenix Suns.  He has looked somewhat respectable, but nothing like the Shaq we all used to know.

Jason Kidd has played 2 games with the Dallas Mavericks.  He looked awful in his first game going up against Chris Paul, then put up 15 assists (and 2 points) against....Memphis.

One writer here on Foxsports.com believes it's too early to conclude much about Shaq, while another one is handing out praise to Kidd like he invented the wheel, sliced bread, AND came up with the theory of relativity.

Let me make this perfectly clear.  It's too early to make a solid determination on either of them.

What I find hilarious though, is the fact that Chris Paul put up 30+ and 14 dimes in Kidd's first game w/Dallas, but that doesn't even seem to matter.  Yet, when Kidd dishes out 15 assists against the mighty Grizzlies, we are to believe this trade is already paying major dividends?

Sorry, but I'm not buying it.  Not yet.

NFL Draft

Matt Ryan is a stud.

Wait, maybe he's not.

Glenn Dorsey is the no-brainer top overall pick.

Wait, maybe he's not.

The Dolphins are definitely going to trade out of the #1 pick.

Wait, maybe they're not.

I like glancing at the mock drafts as much as anyone, but in a lot of ways it's quite useless at least until some of the free agents have landed with new teams.

The only guarantee with the draft is that half the teams will take someone other than who all the experts expect them to pick, at which point said experts will give you 37 reasons why a) those teams picked the wrong guy, and b) they really knew all along that was going to happen, all because 1 team in the top 12 picks messed up beyond belief and "reached" for a mid-2nd round talent.

Roger Clemens "Misremembered"

I admit, I'm not really following the story real close.  I just don't have it in me to care anymore.

For starters, he's retired (if not by choice, then because of the scandal).  Second, I know enough already to draw my own opinion on the subject.

Here's what I think about this party he supposedly went to at Jose (I never played with anyone who didn't juice) Canseco's house (or wherever it was).

He said he wasn't there.  Now, there's video evidence that he was?  (Not that I find it creepy or anything, but how do they always come up with video evidence to dis-prove stuff like this?)

Anyway, my point is.....this alleged party appearance was....(counting back in time) approximately 9 years ago.

I'm not saying he's lying or anything, but if you attended a party 9 years ago, would you automatically remember it?  I guess what I'm saying is, if there was ever a situation where you could forget (or, misremember) something, this might be it.  Of course, I'm assuming that Mr. Clemens attended more than a few parties back in the day.  If this was the only party he attended since 1988, then he probably should have recalled being there.

_______________

That's my 2 cents worth.

You're Fired....Maybe

Much has been made of the latest wrong-doings by Indiana head coach Kelvin Sampson.  Reports had him being fired at any moment ever since the big news came out last week.

That was, until somebody decided that, if his Hoosiers beat Purdue, he could keep his job...at least for a while yet.

How messed up are priorities when a guy can save his butt after breaking the same rule over and over again (with 2 different schools mind you) by winning 1 flippin' game?  If they were playing Northwestern last night instead of conference-leading Purdue, does anyone think there would have been so much of a mention of him saving his job with a victory?

Me either.

What's ironic, sad, and just plain mind boggling is that some of the same people who couldn't wait to get rid of Bobby Knight now want him back.  Hey, he might hit kids, throw chairs, and have complete meltdowns on a regular basis on the sidelines and during press conferences, but at least he doesn't make illegal phone calls to potential recruits.  (sense the sarcasm?)

SpyGate

This investigation is going to be about as productive as the Mitchell Report of MLB steroid use.

A ton of money spent (wasted) trying to find out who did what and when, and in the end, nothing of any real consequence will come of it.

Ok, maybe the Patriots will be forced to forfeit a few meaningless games, but the NFL is not going to wipe their Super Bowl victories from the record books.  Perhaps (if the investigation is over quick...and what are the odds of that happening?) they'll lose their other 1st round draft pick this year and/or Bill "Personality-Deficient" Belichick gets another fine or something, but that's it.

The NFL isn't going to completely re-write history because the Pats were stealing signs from their opponents.

How about we take the money being used for this pointless endeavor and spend it on....oh, I don't know....helping the homeless find a warm place to sleep, or getting people on welfare a decent job to at least make them feel like a useful part of society (those that actually want to be a useful part of society).

....and people wonder why this country is so deep in debt....

So The Mavs Finally Got Their Kidd

I'm so happy I can't stop crying.

Really.  How is this honestly going to help them down the stretch?  They not only got rid of a young PG who is much faster than Kidd, but also Diop (whatever his first name is), who could have really come in handy when the Mavs have to face any of the following:

The Lakers with Pau Gasol and a healthy Andrew Bynum.
The Spurs, with that guy they call "Big Fundamental".
The Suns, assuming Shaq hasn't died running up and down the court at the fervent pace Phoenix is accustomed to, AND he's even healthy and motivated.

But hey, what do I know?

The Bucks

Ok, I know I already said I was done caring about or talking about these clowns anymore.  But in the past month, over on the ESPN Bucks message board, I've seen some real dandy trade ideas that people are sure will "fix" all our problems.

I won't go into detail on any of them (honestly, I think you'd all fall off your chairs laughing at most of them), but I want to ask 1 simple question..and please, refrain from the usual ripping on the city of Milwaukee just because you don't live there, or aren't a fan of the team...

The question is this:  Does anybody really think, that by moving guys with huge contracts (Redd, Williams, Bell for example) and acquiring players with expiring contracts, that Milwaukee could actually entice any real talent via free agency?

My opinion is, since Milwaukee is cold and snowy for most of the NBA season, the team hasn't had much success in...well, a long time, and there would be next to nothing left on the roster for any incoming stars to work with (I like Andrew Bogut, but I really don't think too many players would think he's a player to team up with as a solid 1-2 punch, and I really don't see Yi as the superstar in the making he was being billed as prior to the draft).

So, given that information, do you think anyone (Shawn Marion's name was mentioned by more than 1 person) would be willing to sign here?  I don't think anyone would take the league maximum to play on a team with basically no chance at success over the next 4-5 years without some major luck, or somebody like Wade, Lebron or Kobe getting a severe case of stupid and demanding to be traded here.

There are alot of things in life I just don't understand.

I'll refrain from going into any detail about how the government "works" in this country, because this ain't no political blog site.

I'll also refrain from trying to understand why people put scarves on snowmen...

And there's just no point in debating the college sports polls, and especially the BCS.

But here's something that really irks me....

Why are we supposed to believe that ________(insert veteran player of whatever sport who hasn't yet won a championship here) deserves to be on a title contending team MORE than the player or players already on that team who get traded or otherwise lose their spot on the team?

I just don't get why the media, the fans, or anyone involved in sports keeps shoving it down my throat that this guy or that guy deserves to be on a title contending team more than the next guy.

What about the guys already there, who have been sacrificing just as much in their own career to finally be part of a potential championship team?  Do they not matter?

Why is Jason Kidd getting 1 more shot at a trophy more important than Devin Harris possibly winning one?

Why is Kevin Garnett getting the chance to play for a ring more important than the boat load of players traded from Boston in that huge trade last summer?  (Granted, that group of players plus Paul Pierce didn't stand a snowball's chance in Mexico of winning anything, but that's not the point)

Why is Tracy McGrady finally getting out of the 1st round of the playoffs more important than a guy like Chuck Hayes?

Why do we constantly forget about the role players who helped get team A near the top when there's a super star available via trade?

I undestand that, as a player gets older, his priorities change.  The closer a player gets to retirement, the more they just want to win a title....

Well, that's all fine and dandy I suppose.  However, why can't they learn from the past, and realize that they should have their priorities straight the day they join their respective league?

Why do player after player after player need to be "all about me" and how much money they can hoard for the first 10 years or so of their career, then all the sudden stop and realize what they've been playing for all along?  A championship.

I'm sorry, but I just don't have it in me to feel bad for the Jason Kidds of the sports world.  Not only has his greed cost the Nets (and every team he's played for) chances to win, but his selfishness has as well.  I'm not talking about being a ball hog (obviously, he's not).  I'm talking about every time the road gets rough, he wants to be traded.

Well Mr. Kidd, you got yourself in this predicament when you signed that huge contract.  You agreed to play for the Nets until that contract expired....or did they just not read the fine print where your agent stated "....or until we're not winning, i'm not happy, or just don't want to be here anymore...."?

This isn't just about Jason Kidd.  This is about every superstar who only had the best interest of one person in mind until they reached that age where everyone, including him/herself, realized time was running out.

This is for every player who finally figured out they'd be forgotten if they didn't win the big game at least once.

It's too bad when a great player plays their entire career and doesn't win a championship.  But it's no worse than the average player who works his butt off in practice every day, gets about 5 minutes of playing time every 3rd or 4th game, and is making chump change compared to the Jason Kidds in the game.

It's also not near as bad as the average player who was traded 3, 4, 5 times or more FROM a contending team to a bottom feeder so that an aging superstar can get his one last chance at winning it all.

Here's to the guys who really sacrifice it all for the good of the team....the ones who get traded from the contending team to a disaster of a franchise, and don't complain about it.

And here's to the few that actually do open their mouths and admit what a shame it is to work so hard and be part of a winning team one day, then wake up the next and learn they've just been traded to a bad team, whose best player is now going to be taking their place.

Here's to you Devean George.  I wouldn't want to be traded from a potential championship contender to the Nets either.