RSVP Pending, but Bernie gets Invite

Yankee fans have spent several yearing preparing for LAB (Life after Bernie). His surprise return in 2006 pleased most Bomber fans, especially after he proved he can still contribute. However, with the emergence of young outfielder Melky Cabrera, Williams appears to be the odd man out in 2007. He has spent the offseason fielding questions about his baseball future and appears set to make one of two decisions. Either accept the Yanees invite or concentrate on his music. To many, the Yankees offer is being pereceived as a slap in the face. That insulting offer basically offers Williams a non-guaranteed, non-roster invite to the Yankees' spring training in Tampa. It does not come as much of a surprise, but the future of Bernie Williams is a polarizing issue for Yankee fans.

The Bernie Williams offseason saga tugs at the hearts of Yankee fans. Centerfield has always been a larger than life position in the Bronx and Williams has established himself as one of the finest players to put on the pinstripes. While he has certainly slowed down, he proved last season that he can still hit big league pitching. Unfortunately, the fact remains that he no longer specializes in any facet of the game. To be an important bench player, you must do something extremely well. As hard as it is to say for life-long Williams fans, most Bomber loyalists would prefer the young Cabrera.

With Jason Giambi to assume DH duties, a righty/lefty platoon at first, and Cabrera slotted for the fourth outfielder spot, it has long been speculated that Williams would be squeezed out. While that seems to be the likely scenario, it is not necessarily the case. Assuming he accepts the invite, it's not inconceiveable that he could make the roster. The Yankees could opt to take less pitching or lighten their load at first base. If Carl Pavano comes out this spring healthy, their need for pitching depth will diminish. They re-signed backup infielder Miguel Cairo,who could share time at first with the light hitting Mientkiewicz as opposed to keeping inconsistent Andy Phillips on the roster. No matter how this all plays out, Yankee fans certainly appreciate all Williams contributed to their organization. He's been a class act since day one and a tremendous embassador of the game. If Williams decides to end his career, number 51's next stop will be Monument Park.

Cablevision Ruining NY Sports

For all cablevision customers interested in watching tonight's Syracuse-Notre Dame game: find a local bar. Tonight's Big East showdown is being shown on ESPN U, a channel not offered to cablevision subscribers. Add it to the list of specialized sports programming that cablevision continues to prevent its clients from viewing. It started off with the launch of the YES Network. Yankee fans were forced to either get DirecTV or miss a regular season worth of their beloved Bombers. Now it's stations such as ESPN U and the NFL Network who have been unable to strike a deal with the cable company responsible for many New Yorkers.

Were you interested in last Sunday's Senior Bowl showcasing most of the NFL's future stars? Needed a dish. Looking to follow your alma mater on ESPN U? Call DirecTV. Enjoyed watching the Knicks until Cablevision CEO James Dolan got his hands on them? Sure did. How many sports experiences can one man ruin for this region? Now I'm sure some of the blame must fall on these premium stations looking to push their product for a hefty sum. However, if other regional carriers have been able to find a compromise, I'm sure a deal could be made. For a sports enthusiast such as James Dolan, it's amazing that cablevision subscribers continue to get a raw deal on sports programming. Makes me really wish I had shelled out twenty bucks for the "Duck Folan" shirts that many Garden faithful sported during last year's NBA draft.

Tiger or Federer? Both Continue Domination with Weekend Wins

Sitting only two strokes behind a couple of tour rookies, you had to have a creeping suspicion that Tiger Woods would prevail at the Buick Invitational. On Sunday afternoon he turned the two stroke deficit in to a victory by the same margin to give him 7 consecutive tour victories. As he continued his dominance stateside, Swiss tennis sensation Roger Federer stated his case for world's best athlete on the other side of the globe. Federer defeated Chilean Anthony Gonzalez in straight sets to win the Australian Open for his 10th career Grand Slam victory. More impressively, Federer did not drop a single set en route to the championship. The two champions have formed a friendly rivalry with a continued focus on raising the standard for greatness. With their titles on Sunday, the debate rages on over who excels at their respective sport at a higher level. Compelling cases can be made for both but, as difficult as it is to choose anyone over Tiger, Federer's opponents seem to have no chance of beating this guy right now.

Both athletes have accomplished unthinkable feats since turning pro. Neither has conceded the #1 ranking in their sport for several years, nor does it look like either will in the foreseeable future. Each of their professions have unique challenges that make their accomplishments stand out. For Tiger, the depth of the field in golf is unparalleled. At each tournament a new face can have a spectacular four days and compete in any event. He even started to develop a rival in fellow American Phil Mickelson. The tennis world seems to be lacking a true number two player. Rafael Nadal currently holds that distinction, but has only derailed Federer in the French. Many Americans hoped Andy Roddick's coaching change and improved play would give him a shot Down Under, but he proved no match for the world's number one. Federer is riding a career-high 36 match winning streak and does not appear to be slowing down. There's no questioning that Woods has been, and will continue to be, an uncomparable force in golf. However, Federer's incredible odds to complete the Grand Slam in 2007 gives him the slight edge.

Arenas says "I'd score 84 or 85" on Duke

It's no secret that lots of professional athletes play with a chip on their shoulder. After being passed up by every NFL team, New York Giants LB Antonio Pierce carries a list of all linebackers taken in the draft that year. Whoever's not in the league anymore, their name gets crossed off. Despite going undrafted, he has very limited company from that once lengthy list. This act of vengeance is being far surpassed by Wizards star Gilbert Arenas. Coach Mike Kryzewski and his staff on Team USA left Arenas off the team competing at the World Championships last summer. In response, Arenas has sworn revenge on those assistants, namely Suns coach Mike D'Antoni and Trailblazers coach Nate McMillan.

Let me preface the following with this: the call and response trash talking between D'Antoni and Arenas is some of the most clever banter I've seen. After D'Antoni wondered aloud how Arenas would do against Kryzewski's Blue Devils, the Wizards star answered back in a blog on nba.com:

"He'd like to see what I'm going to do against Duke. I thought it was funny because if I have the chance to go back to college, I'll give up one NBA season to play against Duke. One college game that's five fouls, right? ... 40-minute game at Duke, they got soft rims I'd probably score 84 or 85. I wouldn't pass the ball. I wouldn't even think about passing it. It would be like a NBA Live or an NBA 2K7 game, you just shoot with one person."

First of all, tremendous credit to D'Antoni for his unbelieveable creativity in asserting "He's gonna kill Duke." With this little retort, he managed to poke fun at the absurdity of Arenas desire to get back at men who "wronged" him without directly lashing out at him. Since players with Arenas' personality will never avoid a chance for some media attention, he took the bait. He managed to arrogantly, yet with such a matter of fact tone, demonstrate how confident he is in his abilities. It's a bit unsettling how much Arenas wants to get back at Coach K and staff, but his underdog mentality has led to monstrous on-court results this season.

Some sports "purists" hate stories like these, but the fact remains that the sports industry lies in the same bed as the entertainment world. It's stars are celebrities and America is consumed by the lure of entertainers. End zone celebrations, media trash-talking, and larger than life stars all come with the territorry. Almost all sports networks make it a point to prove the entertainment value of the teams they cover. Playful spats in the media, such as the one between Arenas and D'Antoni, are inevitable with the amount of time players and coaches spend catering to all media forums. It is at least refreshing to see one with wit and ingenuity.

Raiders Winning Race to the Bottom: Lane Kiffin becomes NFL's youngest coach

It's been a tumultuous several years for the Oakland Raiders. Their tail-spin begun after getting trounced by Tampa Bay in Super Bowl XXVII, but the situation continues to get worse. Rumors are circulating that Owner Al Davis is losing his mind, former star Randy Moss is not even a shadow of his former self, and Art Shell inexplicably received a second chance to run this once proud organization to the ground. Very few coaching candidates were brave enough to seek their recent head coaching vacancy. And who could blame them? There are very few bright spots in Oakland. They have some talent on defense, but their offense couldn't score on a Pop Warner team. Quarterbacks Aaron Brooks and Andrew Walter spent more time on their backs than inexpensive "escorts". One major selling point is that their on the clock with the first pick in the upcoming draft. With that in mind, Davis handed the keys to 31 year old former USC coordinator Lane Kiffin. The name should sound familiar. Kiffin's dad, Monte, runs the defense for coach Gruden in Tampa Bay. In his introductory post conference, the younger Kiffin promised to bring a "powerful" offense to Oakland. He knows a few things about powerful offense. He has spent the past six years working with Pete Carroll and the USC Trojans. Now that the Raiders have their guy, only one coaching vacancy remains. Kiffin is the youngest of the new head men, but none of the newly hired coaches are above the age of 45. A full list of the 2007 vacancies can be seen below:

TEAM	2006 COACH	2007 COACH	AGE OF NEW COACH
Arizona Cardinals	Dennis Green	Ken Whisenhunt	44
Atlanta Falcons	Jim Mora Jr	Bobby Petrino	45
Dallas Cowboys	Bill Parcells	??	??
Miami Dolphins	Nick Saban	Cam Cameron	45
Oakland Raiders	Art Shell	Lane Kiffin	31
Pittsburgh Steelers	Bill Cowher	Mike Tomlin	34

The average age of the new hires is slightly over 39 years. In comparison, the average coaching age around the league is over 50. It is interesting to evaluate age when examining NFL coaching positions because there is a very high turnover rate. Nearly three quarters of NFL coaches have been with their current team for three years or less. With young guys taking these jobs, it may be a sign of coaching stability for the future. It seems senseless to hire inexperienced coaches and not allow them a few years to put their stamp on the organization. Young leaders such as Kiffin and Tomlin should not be expected to create the instant turnaround enjoyed by Jets first year coach Eric Mangini. Hopefully all of these coaches will have ample opportunity to bring success to these underachieving franchises.

Keep Up with the Orange

Just wanted to invite everyone to check out my other blog at: http://mvn.com/ncaa-syracuse/. MVN is an independent sports media company that runs a network of sports blogs covering a variety of sports and teams. So far I'm the only one covering the Syracuse Orange, but that could change at any time. I should be updating it pretty frequently to cover Orange basketball players past, present, and future. Please check it out and leave feedback.

Rocket Returning?

The Yankees seem to think they're the likely landing spot for the Rocket. Today they announced that second baseman Robinson Cano will be switching his number from 22 to 24 if Clemens were to agree to sign. To refresh everyone's memory, 22 is the number Clemens wore during his last tenure in the Bronx. No one is trying to hide the motives behind the switch, not even Cano. According to the New York Post, Cano had the following to say:

"I was happy to give up the number to a future Hall of Famer if Roger comes aboard. Hopefully, he will be one of my teammates, I'll have the pleasure of playing with him."

Despite the switch, Clemens' camp remains mum on his intentions. In fact, agent Randy Hendricks went so far as to suggest a decision will not be made for quite some time. Just as it was a year ago, many speculate Clemens decision will come down to the Yankees, Red Sox, and hometown Astros. The Red Sox offseason spending splurge included $103 million (including the posting fee) to pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka. It is believed they are happy with their projected rotation, but they'd probably feel comfortable adding Clemens to send Jonathan Papelbon back to his closer's role. They spent an excessive amount of money bringing Matsuzaka, as well as J.D Drew and Julio Lugo, to Fenway that their offer may not be able to reach the Yankees. Clemens' hometown Astros seems to be the best fit for personal reasons. He enjoyed being close to family and being able to spend off days at home. This offseason the Astros acquired Carlos Lee, the big bat they've been missing throughout Clemens tenure. However, they may have spend too much on him to make a competitive offer.

The Yankees were not willing to be flexible on Clemens schedule demands a year ago, but reportedly would be more open now that veteran Randy Johnson has been traded. It has also been reported that Clemens and Johnson were not on good terms, so the Unit's departure also paved the way. Not only that, the money they freed up by trading Johnson, Sheffield, and Jaret Wright gives them flexibility. The announcement of the number switch should not be perceived as Clemens' imminent arrival in the Bronx. However, it does not seem rational the Yankees would make this kind of announcement if talks were not under way. There's no way they can feel comfortable with their current starting rotation and Clemens could be the final piece. While Cashman has looked to cut costs and get younger this offseason, there's no doubt he'd break the bank to bring back Clemens.

Pearl Shows off School Spirit

Bruce Pearl has not taken long to make an impact on the University of Tennessee. A year ago, his first season in Knoxville, he led the Volunteers to a #2 seed in the NCAA tournament and took home SEC coach of the year honors. He drew national attention for his flashy Tennessee orange blazer and his extreme enthusiasm on the sidelines. Tonight he again made news for his wardrobe selection, or more appropriately, lack thereof. At tonight's Lady Vols game versus top ranked Duke, Pearl sat shirtless with his players in the students section. His chest had a large orange "V" painted on as part of "Go Vols" (shown above, taken from http://msn.foxsports.com/wcbk/story/6398446). Save for the Boise State game, this is my favorite sports story of the new year.

Pearl's unbridled enthusiasm personifies what college athletics is all about. He understands that college sports is about the student-athletes. Having his players root on fellow students who fill a similar role on campus demonstrates everything that is right with amateur sports. School spirit seperates the NCAA from the professional ranks. By acknowledging and embracing that fact, Pearl shows his impact on the program is reaching far beyond their improvement on the court.

An Eighth makes Joseph Ninth Bengal Arrested

On a day where Miami police officers exonerated Falcons QB Michael Vick of alleged marijuana possession charges, Cincinnati Bengal CB Johnathan Joseph picked up the slack. The Bengals 2006 first round draft pick was arrested early Monday morning when the car he was riding in got pulled over. Joseph reportedly reached for his backpack when asked to get out of the car, prompting the officer to seize the bag. The backpack contained a small bag of marijuana nestled next to a video game.

Joseph played extensively as a rookie and garnered a vote for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. After an injury to veteran Deltha O'Neal, Joseph started the Bengals final seven games. While Marvin Lewis has helped resurrect this team from the ashes, the organization clearly paid a price for success. Following a successful 2005 season, the Bengals seemed to be in good position to repeat as AFC North champions. Instead, player arrests trumped victories 9 to 8 in the last nine months. Chris Henry lead the way with an astounding four arrests on a variety of misdemeanors, followed closely by fellow 2005 draftee Odell Thurman whose drunk driving chargers and failed drug tests cost him the 2006 season. Head coach Marvin Lewis has come under fire from several veterans who feel he needs to take stronger actions. The blame can not stop there. Eight of the nine players arrested this season have been drafted by the organization since 2003. Clearly the decision makers have been more concerned with taking Cincinnati out of the basement than drafting character guys. For some of these players their actions may be isolated and in no way a testament to their character. However, it is evident that several of these players do not deserve the opportunity to play football. In May, after the fourth arrest of Henry and the first for rookie AJ Nicholson, I cautioned on this blog that this could become a team epidemic. Several months later it has taken on Jailblazers proportions. The ironic part of this whole mess is the distractions prevented a talented team from performing up to their capabilities. Therefore the organization sacrificed character to win, yet could not even accomplish that goal. A message needs to be sent to these players by management. If they fail to, commissioner Goodell should hold the organization accountable and slap them with a fine.

Tuna Swims For New Waters

After weeks of "will he stay or will he go" questions, Bill Parcells has decided to step down as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. The Bill Parcells four year plan didn't work in Dallas as it had in the past with the Giants and Patriots. He guided both of those franchises to the Super Bowl in his fourth year. His tenure with the Jets only lasted three years, so the theory had held its weight until the 2006 campaign in Dallas. With the emergence of Tony Romo around mid-season, prognosticators loaded up on the Cowboys bandwagon. However, a combination of late season struggles by the "next big quarterback" and a suspect defense tumbled big D out of first place in the NFC East. Romo's botched hold on a potential game winning field goal sent the 'Boys to a first round playoff exit.

Most NFL insiders are speculating that contractual issues led to his third retirement. While that is certainly feasible, many other problems were present. First of all, it is no secret that his relationship with "the player" was tenuous at best. It is being reported that Parcells often referred to T.O in coaches meetings as "his highness". The old school coach was often visibly irritated by Owens' charades. Furthermore, and this may just be optimism stemming from a division rival, Parcells' may not feel he has a true contender. Romo became a bit exposed as team's kept him in the pocket and he had trouble holding on to the football. There is a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, but Romo may not be as good as advertised. No matter what the reasons, Parcells will not return to sidelines in 2007. With his track record of coming back from definite retirememts it is not unfathomable that Parcells will coach again one day. However, he's not getting any younger and may finally be ready to call it a career. His two championships with the New York Football Giants should be enough to earn him a spot in Canton.

Samardzija to focus on Baseball

You can take one name off Mel Kiper Jr's big board. Notre Dame wide receiver Jeff Samardzija has decided to give up football in favor of a pitching career with the Chicago Cubs. It is being reported that Samardzija, the Cubs fifth round selection in the amateur draft a year ago, received a five year deal worth $8 million to focus on baseball. If recent history is any indication, this may have been a mistake. Former Michigan QB Drew Henson, once projected to be the top pick in the NFL draft, chose the Yankees riches instead of a football career. After a few disappointing seasons in the minors, he is trying to catch on in the NFL. Cubs phenoms Kerry Wood and Mark Prior have failed to stay healthy which could be a product of the farm system.

Many people were excited by the prospect of another two sport star. The 1990's enjoyed the varying successes of athletes such as Brian Jordan, Deion Sanders,and of course, Bo Jackson. Samardzija made a name for himself by making acrobatic catches seem easy and setting new records for the Fighting Irish. His big frame and tremendous hands could have made a huge difference in many teams' red zone offenses. He originally intended to give both sports a try, but it's hard to fault him for choosing one over the other. College baseball does not receive much publicity, but he's been oustanding as a pitcher for the Irish. In 50 career appearances he has a 21-6 record with a 3.82 earned run average. The Cubs will have him report to their class A affiliate, which is managed by hall of famer Ryne Sandberg. It seems that he's played his last down as a receiver, but we can all hold out hope he'll try to become the next two sport star down the road.

Apple Doesn't Fall From The Tree- Big Brother Mike in trouble

Marcus Vick heard all the critics. While he racked up misdemeanors, everyone asked "Why can't you be more like your big brother?" Apparently the two aren't so different after all. Just months after flipping off home town fans, Falcons quarterback Michael Vick could be facing further trouble stemming from an aiport incident allegedly involving marijuana. Flying from Miami to Atlanta, Vick was asked to hand over a bottle of water he was carrying due to a suspicious aroma. Against his will he handed the bottle over and was allowed to pass through security. It is reported that a security official retrieved the bottle from a trash can to further investigate. The police report, in regards to the bottle, stated the following.

"The bottle was found to have a compartment that contained 'a small amount of dark particulate and a pungent aroma closely associated with marijuana'. The compartment was hidden by the bottle's label so that it appeared to be a full bottle of water when held upright."

Vick is not the first athlete to be caught with drugs, and certainly will not be the last. The alarming thing is, why have that bottle on you at a commercial airport? Athletes too frequently believe they are above the law and take unnecessary risks. Not to condone drug use, but it's hard to believe they couldn't afford to just waste their remaining "stash" and purchase again in their next location. Their ego's lead them to believe they can get away with drug smuggling because they are larger than life. This particular case did not involve that, which makes it even more puzzling. If he merely carried a bottle that had marijuana residue, why not throw it out before you got to the airport? Was it a treasured water bottle bong that he and his friends created to smoke out of? It seems senseless that he would have kept the bottle unless he routinely used it to either smoke from or carry illegal substances in the hidden compartment. Either way, with all he stands to lose, the risk certainly outweighed the rewards.

In comparison to its steroid policy, the NFL is lenient against so-called "street drugs". Players are subjected to tests infrequently and the punishments lack severity. It almost seems like the league accepts that its players will participate in recreational drug use. Since it is not perceived that these drugs will enhance their performance on the field, owners and league officials cast a blind eye. The plight of Ricky Williams cast a light on recreational drug use, particularly marijuana, but a player needs to fail tests several times before penalties kick in.

This incident may have larger ramifications for Vick. With a new coach and many pundits questioning Vick's ability to lead a successful franchise, he's not guaranteed to be Atlanta's opening day starter. Lots of people are high on backup Matt Schaub and new head man Bobby Petrino could want to put his stamp on this franchise. Petrino has stated his offensive philosophy will be based around Vick, but the organization is clearly disturbed over this incident. If not for his league-high contract, Vick's starting quarterback position wouldn't be so solidified.

Gilbride Promoted to Offensive Coordinator

The Giants announced today that quarterbacks coach Kevin Gilbride received a promotion to become the new offensive coordinator. His predecessor John Hufnagel left the team after being stripped of his playcalling duties prior to the regular season finale. Gilbride assumed those responsibilities in the Giants final two games and apparently showed enough to the organization to remain on board. He's been the coach most closely associated with Eli Manning throughout the young quarterback's career.

This move elicits mixed emotions. There are many positives to this move. Both owning families have stressed the importance of maintaining stability in the organization so retaining coaches aligns with that notion. He also brings over 30 years of coaching experience, including a head coaching stint in San Diego. The offense did show improvement during his two game tenure as play-caller and he has proven to be effective in that role in the past. However, the organization is concerned about the progress of Eli Mannning. Gilbride has had three years to work with the franchise quarterback and he has not progressed at the rate he should be. Ownership emphasizes continuity, but this is an organization in need of a new direction. Departed GM Ernie Accorsi has acquired playmakers who need to be allowed more freedom. In coaches Coughlin and Gilbride, the offense is adhering to an old school philosophy with new school players. A new face (or faces) would have been a refreshing look to an underachieving offense that is losing it's most valuable player. Now that they've decided to promote "in-house" for the offensive coordinator, they should look to fill other voids from outside. Bringing in someone like Steve Sarkisian (the USC quarterbacks coach) to work with Eli Manning would be a terrific move. Sarkisian is certainly a stretch as he searches for a head coaching position, but the Giants need to make a big move in whoever they bring in.

Newest SI rates Nichols best in Big East

With the preseason hype surrounding Paul Harris and the perennial disappointing performances by he and fellow classmates, you can't blame people for overlooking Demetris Nichols heading in to the 2007 season. Behind torrid three point shooting in the Orange's first 19 games, Nichols has emerged as the Big East's top scorer. Most of his damage has come from beyond the arc, but his more aggressive play has also led to improved production in the paint. His free throw percentage has also improved to nearly 90%. In this week's Sports Illustrated, Nichols receives attention for his superlative efforts. Under "Three-Pointer" in the College Basketball section, the magazine said the following:

"Demetris Nichols is the best player in the Big East. Syracuse's 6'8'' senior forward was leading the league in scoring (18.9 points a game) through Sunday and was fourth in three-point shooting (47.1%) and 11th in blocks (1.39)."

That's pretty high praise considering the Big East features All-American candidate Aaron Gray of Pitt. Nichols has always possessed a tremendous shot, but was often gun shy in his first three years. He's playing with more confidence this year as the "go-to" guy. His impact on defense can not be underestimated. Along with Terrence Roberts and Daryl Watkins, the length in the back-line of Syracuse's 2-3 zone has caused fits for opponents. Boeheim has also long praised his man to man defense, citing his quickness to stay with guards and size to defend the bigs. With last night's game in the balance, Nichols drew the assignment of containing the hot shooting Marcus Sikes. When Syracuse goes to man, it is usually Nichols in charge of shutting down their top scorer. If he can avoid the scoring lapses that have plagued his career, Nichols should develop in to a lethal scoring option.

Also featured in this week's Sports Illustrated is blue-chip recruit Donte Greene. Greene comes from the same Baltimore area high school, Towson Catholic, that produced former star Carmelo Anthony. He grew up playing on Anthony's Team Melo AAU squad and considers himself a friend to the Nuggets star. His athleticism from the wing has earned him favorable comparisons to his predecessor at Towson Catholic. It was just announced that he, along with fellow 2007 recruit Johnny Flynn, was named to the 2007 USA Basketball Junior Select team. A few weeks ago the magazine focused it's high school sports section on two other recruits for next season Antonio (Scoop) Jardine and Rick Jackson. The two are teammates at Neuman-Goretti, a Philadelphia area high school. Flynn, Greene, Jardine, and Jackson form one of the nation's top recruiting classes for next season.

A Tale of Two Halves- Orange hang on despite sloppy second half

Since arriving on campus in the fall of 2003, the class of 2007 have been like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. They've shown promise in spurts, but have a horribly inconsistent side that is scary to Orange fans. Tonight's victory over Cincinnati assumed the same identity. The Orange raced out of the gates and held a double digit lead for nearly the entire first half. However, the combination of hot three point shooting by the Bearcats and a high number of turnovers by the Orange allowed Cincinnati to take their first lead of the game with just over a minute to play. A pair of Eric Devendorf free throws with 12 seconds to go provided the go-ahead points in a 77-76 victory for the Orange. The win pushed the Orange to a 15-4 record and four victories in their first five conference games.

Orange fans have to be disappointed that their team couldn't put this game away earlier. The lead peaked as high as 19 at several points during the first half and the size of the front line gave Cincinnati fits. When Daryl Watkins and Terrence Roberts weren't blocking shots, they were altering them. On the offensive end Roberts was getting easy points in the paint, and the Orange outscored the Bearcats 18-4 in that department. Guards Josh Wright, Eric Devendorf, and Andy Rautins did a great job in transition, giving Syracuse a decisive edge in fastbreak points. The Orange can attribute a lot of their recent success in their ability to score in transition, but that disappeared in the second half.

Speaking of disappearing acts, the greatest display may have been put on by Terrence Roberts. Roberts dominated play in the first half; piling up 16 points and providing tremendous defense. He followed that up with just one point in the second half. Frontcourt mate Daryl Watkins wasted a tremendous opportunity in this game. Towering over the entire Bearcats roster, Watkins did not score a single point. However, he did key a tremendous first half defensive effort and ended up with eight blocks. Watkins has been playing terrific basketball but did not assert himself enough offensively in this game. Luckily, the Big East's leading scorer Demetris Nichols provided the punch offensively. He paced the Orange with 22, hitting four shots from beyond the arc. His only problem has been settling for the three. Nichols has shown his tremendous catch and shoot abilities, but needs to create more getting to the basket. The big guys received a boost with the return of Matt Gorman, although he did his damage from the perimeter. Gorman drilled two three pointers and allowed Boeheim to go with an eight man rotation for the first time in several games. With freshman Paul Harris only playing four first half minutes, an eight man rotation may be a bit of an overstatement.

Boeheim notoriously shortens his bench in Big East play, but it's tough to imagine why Harris is collecting splinters on the bench. Harris, the preseason choice for Big East newcomer of the year, has seen his minutes dwindle in conference play. He's struggled with his outside shot and has been very deferential to the upperclassmen. The emergence of Andy Rautins has certainly cut in to his minutes, but it's hard to imagine that a player of Harris' caliber will continue to sit and watch. Although Devendorf and Wright did a tremendous job distributing in tonight's game (15 assists combined), they continue to make questionable decisions. They are turning the ball over too frequently and the backcourt could really use Harris' tremendous playmaking ability. With seniors Roberts and Nichols fading for stretches, Devendorf bailed the offense out of its late game funk. He scored 12 of his 17 points in the second half to go with his team high 8 assists. The biggest problem plaguing Devendorf has been lacksadaisacal passes. Too often he tries to throw fancy passes in crowded areas. Wright's turnover problems have come from trying to do too much. Whether it's pushing the tempo too fast or trying to get too creative, his ball-handling has been a major source of concern.

Turnovers nearly cost Syracuse the game despite nailing 10 3's, shooting over 50% from the floor, and over 80% from the free throw line. Guards Devendorf, Rautins, and Wright combined for 10 of Syracuse's 21 turnovers while Cincinnati committed only 8 as a team. The visitors also connected on 13 three pointers, including 8 from forward Marcus Sikes. Star freshman Deonta Vaughn struggled for most of the night, but finished with 13 points and a team high 5 assists. Vaughn had seven of his points in the Bearcats 10-0 run late in the second half to cut the deficit to one. Appropriately it was Sikes 3 pointer with a 1:13 left that gave Cincinnati its first lead of the game at 75-73. Four clutch free throws in the final minute by Nichols and Devendorf proved to be the difference. A loss to the Big East's last place team at home would have been devastating for the Orange, especially with the way they dominated most of the game. Until the Senior class can give a consistent 40 minutes, the Orange will have to battle. However, if they can get more steady play, they have the experience and talent to be a very dangerous team.

Boggan Clutch in Big XII Thriller

It's been a long road to Stillwater, Oklahoma for senior Mario Boggan, but what a sweet ride he's taking the Cowboys on now that he's there. Oklahoma State is the ninth school in eight years for the talented big man and for all those who haven't taken notice, he emphatically announced his arrival last night. With a leaning three pointer in the waning seconds of triple overtime, Boggan keyed Oklahoma State's victory over Big XII rival Texas. In a battle of the conference's two brightest stars, Boggan edged UT freshman standout Kevin Durant. Both led their teams with 37 points, while Boggan grabbed 20 rebounds to Durant's 12 boards.

While OSU's star had the bigger night, it's Durant's immediate impact that has taken the Big XII by storm. He's averaging over 30 points in conference play, peaking at 37 in two games this month. Surrounded by other talented freshman, the rangy wingman has drawn comparisons to former Syracuse standout Carmelo Anthony. Despite an off shooting night Durant scored in many different ways. He demonstrated excellent range, an ability to score down low, and most importantly commanded the ball with the game in the balance. It's clear that he'll be a one and done guy, but is already a leading candidate for Player of the Year honors. Texas must also be commended for how they fought back. Featuring a starting lineup of four freshman, the youngsters battled back in each overtime period. Freshman guard DJ Augustin looked very impressive getting to the basket and an aggressive defense led to fast break points to close gaps. With more collegiate experience, this will be a very dangerous team in March.

The most disappointing, albeit irrelevant, story line of last night was the OSU fans. Their team came in with a higher ranking, yet the fans stormed the court. Given the right circumstances, I'm certainly pro-court storming. It allows fans to interact with the players. The perceived accessibility of college athletes is part of what makes people more attracted to the NCAA than professional sports. But any game in which you are either ranked higher, favored, or should win prohibits a fan from rushing the floor. Great win for the Cowboys, huge loss for their fans.

Reese Named GM

As expected, director of player personnel Jerry Reese received his promotion to General Manager of the New York Football Giants. On the day his predecessor Ernie Accorsi formally stepped down, the Giants announced Reese would be the man to replace him. Reese has earned respect in the organization with his scouting abilities for the NFL draft. In 1994, Reese took a position in the organization in the scouting department. His ability to identify talent has made him a valued employee ever since. He's been instrumental in several key draft decisions since assuming his previous role in 2003, including uncovering Osi Umenyiora out of Troy.

It has been presumed since last year that Reese would inherit the position. Once Scott Pioli decided to stay in New England, the move was pretty much confirmed. Reese led a solid 2006 draft for the Giants, but the bigger questions will be how he upgrades the team through free agency. He's a "draft-first" guy, so may not be willing to break the bank on a prized talent. Studying under the Ernie Accorsi school, pass rushers and cornerbacks should be on his mind. Roping in a playmaking corner should be his first priority when the Giants go on the clock with the 20th pick in the 2007 draft.

Lights Out- Pats Win, then mock Merriman

The Bill Belichick led New England Patriots refuse to conform to NFL parity theories. In the rampant free agency era, teams are not supposed to consistently win. Especially with the way the Patriots go about their business. Old veterans become cap casualties and no-name newbies come in and get the job done. With a 24-21 win at San Diego earlier today, the Patriots advance to the AFC Championship game for the 4th time in the last six years. While Tom Brady led the charge, new faces like Reche Caldwell and Jabar Gaffney were difference makers. No catchy nickname has been bestowed upon these recent Pats, but they've certainly earned their place among NFL dynasties. Even in a game where Brady struggled, he managed to make plays when the team needed them. They received the fortuitous bounces even the great teams need, and one play may have sent the Chargers to their early offseason.

Clinging to an 8 point lead late in the fourth quarter, Chargers safety Marlon McCree picked off an errant Brady fourth down attempt. Take a knee, and the Chargers can ride their MVP to grind out the clock. Instead McCree tried to make a play and learned a little more about the Patriots mystique. Jack of all trades Patriots wideout Troy Brown stripped the ball and fellow receiver Reche Caldwell recovered to re-claim possession. The former Charger Caldwell would be on the receiving end of a Tom Brady touchdown a few plays later that brought the Pats back within two. Taking a page out of Boise State's playbook, a direct snap to Kevin Faulk tied the game at 21. If you've watched the Patriots under Tom Brady, you knew what would come next. Given a chance late in the game, Brady led the Patriots in to field goal range. The only difference was that rookie kicker Stephen Gostkowski needed to convert, not Mr. Clutch Adam Vinatieri. Gostkowski connected for the decisive points, but left plenty of time for the Lightning Bolts. The Chargers drove to the Patriots 37, but a Nate Kaeding 54 yard field goal attempt fell short.

Despite some sloppy play, the excitement of the final period made this a memorable game. Unfortunately, the lasting images may have come from the postgame coverage. Cameras caught a frustrated LaDainian Tomlinson trying to get off the field, but apparently in a rift with several Patriots players. We would learn later his reactions stemmed from the Patriots celebrations. Speaking to the press after the game, Tomlinson had the following remarks:

"I would never react in that way. I was very upset," Tomlinson said. "When you go to the middle of our field and start doing the dance Shawne Merriman is known for, that is disrespectful. They showed no class and maybe that comes from the head coach."

Merriman has certainly earned a bulls-eye on his back since his failed drug test. Although it did not receive press at the time, Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel celebrated an earlier play with Merriman's trademark dance. We've seen this time and again with T.O mocking Ray Lewis, Hines Ward imitating Owens, and on several other occasions. The loss clearly just paid its toll on Tomlinson and it's understandable why he was so visibly upset. However, if you're going to call attention to yourself, you have to be prepared for this to happen. It's commendable that he stuck up for his teammate, but took it too far in calling Belichick classless. Tomlinson is undoubtedly one of the most professional men in the NFL, but this lapse in character will stick with him for a while.

Lewis Becomes First Sacrifice

Once Tom Coughlin kept his job, it was clear the organization would place blame in other places. Today they started with defensive coordinator Tim Lewis. Lewis, Coughlin's first hire in 2004, lost his job after his unit ranked 25th in the league. Amazingly, he spent Wednesday with Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga interviewing for their vacant head coaching position. This certainly will not be the only coaching change and should signal a major transformation to the coaching staff. Unfortunately for Lewis he spent much of the season with starters who were originally intended for backup roles. That still does not justify many of their shortcomings. The defense's inability to generate a pass rush led to their 28th ranked pass defense. Stopping third downs, particularly long situations, and keeping teams from scoring in the red zone plagued the defense all season. He received some criticism early in the season for his misuse of free agent acquisition LaVar Arrington. It seemed throughout the season he used players in ways they were not effective and never really showed the innovative blitz packages that made him a prized commodity.

In other news, it is being reported that Jerry Reese will be promoted to General Manager next week. He has been highly regarded within the organization for years and recently been very instrumental in the draft process. The Giants enjoyed a very successful 2006 draft with Reese's heavy influence. He's the most qualified "in-house" candidate and is a very good fit for the job.

Bonds Failed Drug Test

We've read through this script before. Pro Athlete X fails drug test because of lame reason Y. Of course, it is never the fault of the cheater. Whether it's a teammate, a substance the player thought followed regulations, or a vindictive masseuse (my personal favorite), athlete X is the victim. Suspensions are dolled out, excuses mocked but accepted, and X usually returns to the field. It all disintegrates due to lack of interest in the protagonist. Today the lead role got some star power. Reporter TJ Quinn of the New York Daily News has revealed that Barry Bonds failed a drug test for amphetamines in the latter half of the 2006 MLB season. Due to a labor agreement, the first failed drug test for amphetamines is supposed to be kept confidential. The players are enlisted in awareness classes, but are not subject to fines or suspensions. A second positive results in a 25 game suspension. However, Quinn unearthed Bonds' results and undoubtedly raised suspicions of his alleged steroid use.

Let's revisit the scenario above with Barry's gem. Barry Bonds fails drug test because he took the substances out of Mark Sweeney's locker. What a class act. What's with Giants and throwing teammates under the bus this year? However, there is no evidence that Sweeney failed any tests and he vehemently denied any foul play. This story comes at a critical time. The baseball world has its attention on Mark McGwire's failure to make the Hall of Fame due to the steroid cloud. Bonds is being investigated on possible perjury charges and MLB has been court-ordered to hand over drug tests from the 2003 season. It also brings to light MLB's varying policies on drug use. A first time steroid offender gets a 50 game suspension whereas amphetamine use warrants a slap in the wrist. Unfortunately, it's a not so surprising double standard.

Anabolic steroids increase muscle mass, which is why many people attribute the power surge of the late 1990s to players abuse of the substance. Amphetamines give a boost of energy and possibly additional focus. It's extremely helpful in withstanding the drain of a 162 game schedule. One reason you might think baseball would be more lenient on steroid use is the simple fact that long balls saved the sport. Officials turned a blind eye in 1998 while McGwire and Sosa salvaged the league. But now that teams are generating high revenues again, they're trying to retro-actively police the game. By enacting harsher penalties, Bud Selig is giving a "mea culpa" ten years too late.

Hidden underneath this big mess is Bonds' somewhat unclear future. Many believed he signed with the Giants, but the two sides have been hung up on the language of the contract. There is some speculation that the failed test could have huge repercussions on getting the deal finalized. Bonds currently sits 22 homeruns shy of Hank Aaron's all-time record so it would be surprising if the Giants don't break him back. Stranger things have happened. Just ask anyone who has failed a drug test.

Coughlin Keeps Job

Tom Coughlin will be the head coach for the New York Giants in 2007 and possibly beyond. After thorough deliberation, President and CEO John Mara announced the Giants have agreed to a one year contract extension with the embattled field general. Keeping with Giants tradition, the Mara and Tisch family extended the coach's contract going in to the final year. He should be one of the few faces returning to the sideline. Several guys, including defensive coordinator Tim Lewis and special teams coach Mike Sweatman, are certain to be on the hot seat. John Mara defended his decision to retain Coughlin on the Mike and the Mad Dog show on WFAN, but made it clear that 8-8 is no longer acceptable for this franchise. He addressed many issues that should indicate where the organization is headed. It is also clear that Coughlin needs to lead the team past the first round of the playoffs or he will not coach for the duration of his contract.

With Ernie Accorsi's impending retirement next week, the vacant GM position looks to be filled "in house" with Coughlin's announcement. Mara recognized that the incoming GM should be on board with his decision to retain Coughlin. This could be a big reason the Patriots' Scott Pioli rejected the opportunity to interview for the position. Bill Parcells also adamantly denied contact with Mara. The likely candidate is current director of player personnel Jerry Reese. Long time scout, and brother of John Mara, Chris Mara should not be discounted. Big brother John clearly will not listen to nepotism critics and Chris' qualifications warrant a serious look. The position likely will not be filled until Accorsi officially resigns on January 15, but the decision should be made shortly afterwards. With the combine coming up next month, the Giants would like to have their decision makers on the same page.

Admittedly, I was one of the many fans who took consolation from the speculation Coughlin would be fired following a first round exit. I would never go so far as to root against them, but did find solace in the belief that he would be gone. Now that he's coming back, it's time to turn in to an optimist. My biggest problem with Coughlin has been the belief that the players won't play for him. Mara claims that they approached many of the veterans and received nothing but positive feedback. If this is true, I have no problem with him returning. In fairness, Coughlin is the first coach since Parcells to lead the Giants to the playoffs in two straight seasons. Play selection was this team's kryptonite, something that Coughlin did not have total control over. Don't get me wrong, I'm not pleased with the decision. However, I do believe he can get the job done with a face lift to his staff. He must break his loyalty to Kevin Gilbride and bring in a quarterbacks coach who can groom Eli Manning. The lack of quality coaches available also must be taken in to consideration. Presuming Norm Chow takes the Arizona job to reunite with Matt Leinart and Ken Whisenhunt is promoted to head coach in Pittsburgh, there are very limited options. Coughlin's hire was important to Wellington Mara, so it must have been anticipated John Mara will defend it for as long as he can. While many fans will attack this decision, it'll be important to see how the first major football decision without their fathers goes for he and the Tisches. The next decision should be a promotion for one of the current executives to the vacant general manager position. Giants fans should feel confident that the ruling families are headed by football saavy, capable men. Hopefully their first decisions will lead to long term success.

Bo Knows Homecourt advantage

In the 1990's we learned theres very little that Bo Jackson doesn't know how to do. In the new millenium, its Bo Ryan who simply knows how to win at home. With a 72-69 win over rival Ohio State, the Badgers improved to 40-2 at home against conference foes under Bo Ryan. That record should only get better as Ryan features a deep team poised to play in early April. The final score is not indicative of how this game went, but the Buckeyes had a chance to force overtime. Shoddy late game free throw shooting by the Badgers opened the door for the Buckeyes, but a three point attempt by Jamar Butler clanked off the rim as time expired. Led by an outstanding performance by point guard Kammron Taylor, the Badgers were in command for most of the game. Senior playmaker Alando Tucker struggled from the floor making only 8 of 18 shots, but came up with plays down the stretch including his highlight reel fumbled jumper over Greg Oden. The Badgers also got strong efforts from defensive ace Michael Flowers and improving sophomore Marcus Landry. They have a tremendous scoring duo in Taylor and Tucker, a stiffling defense that creates a lot of turnovers, and a deep enough bench to play with anyone in the country. Even with a poor showing by vastly improving big man Brian Butch, the Badgers had enough to hold off a very strong Buckeyes team. However, as Oden heals and the young guys mature, the story could be different when they meet in Columbus.

With Oden limited by his hurt wrist, Ohio State continues to settle for a lot of threes. In their defense, they nailed a dozen of them last night. Big men Greg Oden and Othello Hunter were saddled early with foul trouble and forced Ohio State in to a more perimeter oriented offense. With Ivan Harris, Ron Lewis, Jamar Butler, and Mike Conley Jr. this team can beat you from the outside, but need more post production to make a run in the tournament. Oden has struggled when teams were able to throw a lot of big bodies at him (UNC, Florida, Wisconsin). Until he feels comfortable health wise, these problems could continue. Freshman swingman Daequan Cook struggled mightily last night, converting only one of eight shots from the field. None of the "Thad Five" had a particularly strong game, which is encouraging for Buckeyes fans for the rest of the Big 10 schedule. Losing at the Cole Center seems to be the norm in the Big 10, so things should only get better for the Buckeyes. With a loss in the football national championship and last night's basketball defeat, things can't get much worse.



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Gators Chomp Buckeyes

If we've learned nothing else from bowl season, it's to expect the unexpected. A close second would be to discount the importance of a favorable quarterback matchup. Just a few days ago, JaMarcus Russell outdueled Brady Quinn in LSU's rout of Notre Dame. Last night it was Chris Leak's Florida Gators who overwhelmed the Ohio State Buckeyes and Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Troy Smith. While Leak looked impressive all night long, the Gators defense keyed the the palondromic drubbing. Jarvis Moss and Derrick Harvey chased Smith all night, creating two turnovers which aided the 41-14 rout. The Florida defense held Smith to only 35 yards passing. He completed only 4 of his 14 passes or one less completion than sacks (5) he took. Lots of talk centered around the massive Ohio State offensive line, but they looked like little boys messing with the front seven of Florida.

The game was touted as the speed of the SEC versus the power of the Big 10. Ohio State learned the harsh reality that speed kills. However, last night's loss coupled with Michigan's poor showing has to bring in to question the power of the vaunted Big 10 Conference. Furthermore, it empowers the belief that the non-BCS conferences should get a shot at the big boys. Regardless, this may have been the most thorough beating of all bowl games. Ohio State had more yards on its opening kick return touchdown (93 by Ted Ginn Jr) than it did for the rest of the game with only 82 total yards of offense. The absence of Ginn Jr., Smith's high school teammate and favorite downfield target, certainly hurt. Beyond that, you really have to question the job Jim Tressel did. On their only scoring drive, they were effective running the football with Antonio Pittman. After that, they essentially abandoned the ground game. He seemed to panic. Going for it on 4th and 1 only down 7 in the second quarter from your own 29 is stupid at best. They brought in bruising freshman back Chris Wells, but were stopped. Getting stopped on a telegraphed run on 4th and 1 is no reason to get away from running the ball, especially since the mistake only cost them three points. Many people are going to complain about the long layoff, which at over 50 days is ridiculous, but it did not cost Ohio State this football game. They ran in to a better who probably would beat them nine out of ten times.

While Tressel struggled, Urban Meyer's spread offense clicked on all cylinders. With an abundance of playmakers and the steady hand of Chris Leak, the offense looked other worldly. Since he runs an unconventional offense, the short passing game pretty much substitutes for the running game. With athletes like Percy Harvin and Andre Caldwell, this is very effective. Leak made all the right decisions and ended his tumultuous four year career in Gainesville on a high note. Running back De'Shaun Wynn showed off his power in the second half grinding out the clock. He teams with freshman quarterback Tim Tebow to be the thunder to Leak and his receivers lightning. Early in the game they capitalized on a few Ohio State special team penalties for great field position. However, as it was for most of the season, the real story was the defense. From the speed rush of the front four and the relentless pursuit of the linebackers to the ball-hawking skills of the secondary, this was the most complete defense in college football. They had playmakers on every level of the defense and cohesion certainly was not a problem. Rallying around the death of All-American Reggie Nelson's mom and the creation of the unity chain, these guys were all on the same page. The unity chain, worn in the waning moments by starting middle linebacker Brandon Siler, evoked memories of the Heat's "15 strong" of last year's championship. The chain contained fake dog tags with the names of every member of the defense. Being witness to "Team Turmoil" this season, the importance of team unity can not be underestimated. With the win, the Gators now hold both the Men's Basketball and Football national championships. It is the first time this has happened in the history of college athletics. Unfortunately for fans of any other school, the basketball team looks poised to repeat in April.

Taylor sacks competition en route Defensive Player of The Year honors

Dolphins Defensive End Jason Taylor took a lesson from Florida coach Urban Meyer. If you complain about the competition, you could increase the chances of getting what you want. Although deserving of defensive player of the year honors, Taylor helped fuel the demise of Shawn Merriman's candidacy when he spoke out about the Chargers' star's supsension. Others spoke out in agreement, which certainly sparked debate whether a player who missed time due to punishment should be eligible for postseason awards. It is refreshing to see the voters hold players' accountable for breaking rules. Merriman, despite a league high 17 sacks in only 12 games, finished a distant third to Taylor and Broncos CB Champ Bailey.

Unfortunately, the story will be about Merriman's cheating more so than Taylor's fine season. Miami may have played well below expectations, but Taylor made plays all over the field. His 13 1/2 sacks were only a tiny portion of why he earned the award. Despite playing mostly as a down lineman, he recorded two interceptions which he returned for touchdowns. Taylor the turnover machine did not stop there. He forced ten fumbles, along with two recoveries. He essentially touched the ball more often than Dolphins receivers this season. Departed coach Nick Saban can only dream he gets to coach this kind of talent at Alabama.

Out With the Old, In With the New

Brian Cashman's mantra this offseason has been cutting costs and getting younger. If the tentative agreement between the Yankees and Diamondbacks holds up, he'll have accomplished both of those goals with his most recent transaction. Last night it was reported the Yankees have agreed to send Randy Johnson to the Diamondbacks in exchange for Luis Vizcaino and three minor league prospects. It is believed the Yankees will pay roughly $1.5-$2 million of Johnson's salary for next season. Yankee fans should be enamored with this deal for several reasons. Whether it's his back or his age, Johnson never quite fit in as a Yankee. While he did win 17 games in each of his two seasons, his ERA ballooned to new heights. On top of that, the supposed ace pitched to a sparkling 6.92 ERA with zero wins in his three pinstriped postseason appearances.

The two sides have until Sunday to iron out the deal. Arizona wants back the guy who won 4 Cy Youngs and lead to them to a World Championship. That's not who they're getting, but his name alone should put more butts in the seats. He could fit in nicely to their rotation with reigning NL Cy Young winner Brandon Webb and Livan Hernandez. For the Yankees, they freed up money which is likely earmarked for Roger Clemens. There had been speculation that the disdain between the Rocket and the Unit would get in the way of bringing Clemens to the Bronx. Now that Johnson is headed for the desert, many feel the only ace left on the market could return to 161st Street. They also get a couple of young pitchers, Russ Ohlendorf and Steven Jackson, along with middle relief help (Vizcaino) and a 23 year old shortstop prospect. Even if the Yankees head in to the season as the roster is currently set, they have to feel pretty good. They've unloaded three older, overpaid players (Johnson, Sheffield, Jaret Wright) and started to restock their farm system. The rotation has question marks, but answers could come from stud pitching prospects Humberto Sanchez and Phillip Hughes. It would be nice if they could allow Hughes to mature for another year before throwing him in to the fire, but the young lefty is a nice insurance policy.

Lost in the Johnson madness yesterday was the signing of veteran 1B Doug Mientkiewicz. With Giambi slated for DH duties, the Yankees needed a sure handed first baseman. Mientkiewicz is about as nifty with the glove as they come and could benefit from being reunited with high school teammate Alex Rodriguez. The lefty, with limited offensive ability, could also benefit from the short porch in right. Although he's not young, his contract certainly didn't break the bank. With Andy Phillips second half slide, it was crucial for the Yankees to upgrade at first base. As spring training approaches, Yankee fans will just have to play the waiting game to see if Clemens will sign on to be the final piece of the puzzle.

Orange drop Big East opener

Syracuse faithful have tried to be patient with the vaunted class of 2007. After three years of inconsistency, their senior year is put up or shut up time. If the Big East opener versus Pitt last night was any indication, this could be a quiet season. The Orange lost for the third time at the Carrier Dome this season and dropped to 0-1 in Big East play with a 74-66 defeat. Senior trio Demetris Nichols, Daryl Watkins, and Terrence Roberts played well in spots, but could not do enough to seal a big win. Beating a top ten team is no easy task, but the Orange had plenty of opportunities to do so. Pitt did not take the lead until the first basket of the second half, but would not relinquish it. Syracuse has showed time and again this season they will battle back from deficits, but with a limited bench last night it was very difficult. Matt Gorman sat out with injury, Terrence Roberts missed most of the second half after receiving a blow to the face, and freshman Mike Jones has left the team.

Lavance Fields paced Pitt with an impressive array of big threes and tough drives to the basket. Everytime Syracuse made a run in the second half, either Fields or backcourt mate Antonio Graves came up clutch. All-American candidate Aaron Gray struggled against the mixing defenses, finishing with 9 points and 9 rebounds. Credit Daryl Watkins with a tenacious defensive effort. Entering last night's game, Demetris Nichols lead the Big East in scoring. He showed why in the first half, scoring from all over the court. But as he has done in the past, he lost his aggressiveness in the second half. Pitt's defense made it difficult for him to get looks, but he still does not command the ball enough. He attempted only three shots in the second half and was a relative non-factor. The last of the class of '07, (I discount Matt Gorman because he came in with Carmelo) Terrence Roberts played pretty well before getting knocked out of the game. He still plays a bit too fast at times and takes some questionable shots, but got a few tough buckets in the paint last night.

The seniors aren't the only inconsistent ones. Several underclassmen need to play a huge role this season. They got a boost last night from a re-energized Eric Devendorf. Devendorf, whose been slowed by injuries and personal issues, showed what made him so impressive as a freshman last year. He is a pure scorer who does a great job of creating his own shots. However, when Boeheim benched Josh Wright for being careless with the basketball, Devendorf showed questionable decision making himself. If Wright continues to make these mistakes, more ball-handling responsibilites will be thrown on Devendorf. Wright has shown more of a scoring touch this season, but gets caught up trying to push the tempo. He's prone to turnovers, something this team can ill afford. The defense is most effective when it has time to set up in the zone, which is usually after made baskets. Having to play transition defense is not a good fit for this team. Inserted as a starter for the troubled Devendorf, Andy Rautins showed great range and good court vision throughout the game. He brings a lot of energy and will be good coming off the bench in the future. Last, but certainly not least, is highly regarded freshman Paul Harris. The most athletic player on the team, Harris seems content to defer to his older teammates. His inability to knock down long shots has let opponents play off him to limit his ability to get to the basket. He is a tremendous rebounding guard and playmaker. Boeheim should allow the ball to be in his hands more, and probably will with Wright's turnover troubles. If Syracuse wants to contend in the Big East this season, they will need to start beating good teams at home. They have a good mix of senior leadership and talented underclassmen. Boeheim just needs to continue trying to find the lineup that will blend together well.

Tomlinson runs away with MVP, Pennington voted best healer

Two more NFL awards were handed out today by the Associated Press and neither winner should come as much of a surprise. LaDainian Tomlinson's demolition of the record books made him the easy choice for MVP. As the best player on the NFL's best team, 44 of the 50 voters deemed this a no-brainer. His former teammate Drew Brees finished a distant second, while Peyton Manning garnered the remaining two votes. Everyone knows the stats: leading rusher in the NFL, new single season TD record, even threw a couple of touchdowns. However, it may be his ability to take opponents focus off rookie QB Philip Rivers that is most impressive. Going in to the season, many prognosticators felt that the Chargers would struggle with a first year starter at the helm. If teams simply stuffed the box and made Rivers beat them, there was no way the Chargers could win. Tomlinson's domination has not allowed any team to do that. Even without top notch receivers, he managed to open up the offense enough with his running to get a first year starting quarterback to the Pro Bowl. Tomlinson has made the much maligned "Marty-Ball" seem fun. Coach Schottenheimer even dubbed him the best RB ever. A few more seasons like 2006 and it will be very tough to argue against him. However, people need to stop calling him LT. We all know who that's reserved for.

More controversial was the choice of Chad Pennington. The Comeback Player of the Year award is a bit ambiguous. It's difficult to determine the most important criteria in selecting a winner. Did the candidate have to miss a full season? Is it the player who battled adversity to have the best season? The runners-up for the award, Drew Brees and Carson Palmer, only left in their final games of 2005. Yet the severity of their injuries and the overwhelming success they had this season made them legitimate candidates. However, as difficult as it is for me to say this, Chad Pennington truly deserved the award. After suffering rotator cuff injuries two years in a row, no one believed the "pre-injury Chad" would ever come back. The Jets acquired Patrick Ramsey and drafted Kellen Clemons as insurance policies. They were again expected to finish in the cellar of the AFC East and there was no way the lame-armed Pennington could recover from injuries that only made his right arm weaker. Yet inexplicably, this man brought that other team from the Meadowlands to a 10-6 record and the fifth seed in a very competitive AFC. Until the day he hangs them up I will question his ability to throw a football, but Pennington simply knows how to get the job done. His timing with his receivers is impeccable and he doesn't make many mistakes. He continually makes "arm strength" look like an overrated evaluation of a quarterback. It's only fitting that the kid from Marshall gets the Comeback Player of the Year in the weeks following the release of the movie that portrays one of the finest comebacks in sports history.

Tigers Sweet in Sugar Bowl Victory

The story's been the same for Notre Dame under Charlie Weis: play an elite team and get thoroughly manhandled. Weis' offensive prowess has been unable to compensate for weak defenses. Last night JaMarcus Russell and friends sieved through the defense to the tune of 41 points. Playing close to home at the Louisiana Superdome, Russell put on a grand show. He threw for over 300 yards with 2 scores, along with a rushing touchdown. After the whirlwind year and a half that the boys in the Bayou experienced, it was only fitting that Russell led the way. In the immediate aftermath of the storm, the LSU gymnasium hosted many refugees. Several more found shelter in Russell's small off-campus apartment. At times over 20 people were housed in his apartment as Russell went above and beyond the call of duty. With his performance last night, the next place he calls home will be able to fit many more than that.

One of the interesting sub-plots to last night's game featured the tale of two quarterbacks. Notre Dame's Brady Quinn, the early season favorite for the Heisman and presumed top pick in the NFL draft, has come in to his own under QB guru Weis. He's got the size, arm strength, and accuracy that have NFL scouts salivating. However, he's shown an inability to handle pressure. Teams that came and smacked him the mouth (Michigan and Georgia Tech), he struggled mightily with. Facing a quick defense last night, Brady completed well under 50% of his passes along with two interceptions. LSU's JaMarcus Russell has had his share of ups and downs. In his time as a starter he's been replaced for ineffectiveness, but recently has gotten all the validation he needs. After last night's win Coach Les Miles said, "I just think. I have the best quarterback in the country right now." One of the best for sure, and also one of the biggest. Russell is a beast. He's listed at 6'6, 257 pounds. Even at his size he can make plays with his feet and last night showed a tremendous ability to get the ball downfield. One game doesn't make or break one's draft status, but Russell certainly closed a lot of ground last night. If he decides to declare himself eligible for the draft, the Sugar Bowl showdown won't be the last we've heard of "Quinn vs. Russell".

Liar, Liar...Saban Accepts Alabama Job

Ever wonder what $32 million dollars gets you? If your Alabama AD Mal Moore, a new acrobatic football coach who does a very nice 180. Just two weeks ago Nick Saban adamantly stated, "I'm not going to be the Alabama coach". Earlier this morning he made his decision to head to Tuscaloosa. Saban has been a widely sought after commodity for many years now. Dating back to his days at Michigan State he drew interest from the NFL, and that only grew stronger with his national championship as the head man at LSU. His two years in Miami have been sub-par, so Saban returns to the SEC with the Crimson Tide.

Following in the footsteps of Herm "I'm not coaching the Chiefs" Edwards, Saban managed to put his foot in his mouth in less than two weeks. It is a trend in coaching; sought after candidates who leave themselves no wiggle room. Look at the recent statements by Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis. There's been speculation that Tom Coughlin's job is in jeopardy if the Giants lay an egg in Philadelphia. Weis, a Jersey native and former Giants employee, is rumored to be a favorite if the job becomes vacant. There's no doubt coaching for the Giants would be a dream come true, but instead has pledged his allegiance to his alma mater. In recent weeks he made it clear, "I'm only leaving if I'm dead or fired". All things considered, those probably are the only ways he leaves South Bend. But if it's not, he's got a whole lot of explaining to do.

Ryans, Young Cap Impressive Rookie Seasons with Awards

If their first seasons in the NFL is any indication, the class of 2006 is primed for big things. Today the Associated Press awarded Texans LB Demeco Ryans and Titans QB Vince Young the Defensive and Offensive Rookie of The Year honors respectively. Despite the depth and impact of this rookie class, these two young men clearly outshined their peers. Ryans established himself as the clear-cut favorite by leading the NFL in solo tackles. While all the attention surrounded number one draft pick and teammate Mario Williams, the Texans second pick of the draft ended up being the difference maker. An All-American outside linebacker at Alabama, the Texans coaching staff pushed Ryans inside. The move enabled him to be the center piece of a new unit and establish himself as a team leader. His gaudy statistical year, which included 133 solo tackles, made the decision very easy for AP voters. He garnered 36 of the 50 votes, well ahead of the second place finisher. Former Tide teammate, and current Bears defensive end, Mark Anderson finished second in the voting.

One of the men the Texans passed up, QB Vince Young, continued to demonstrate he simply just wins football games. After an 0-5 start coach Jeff Fisher benched Kerry Collins in favor of the rookie. All the tools that made him so impressive as a QB at Texas translated well in to the pro game. He led the Titans to eight wins in their final eleven games. His ability to make plays with his legs, as well as his arm, made Young nearly impossible to stop. Especially at the end of games. With a walk-off 36 yard run against the Texans in overtime and a 21 point fourth quarter comeback against the Giants, the league should be prepared for a career full of clutch play. If not for a late season ankle injury, this award could have gone to one of the most unlikely winners. A mere three picks away from being Mr. Irrelevant of the 2006 draft, Marques Colston became the Saints go-to rookie. He, along with Jaguars RB Maurice-Jones Drew, tied for second in the voting. Teammate Reggie Bush finished a distant fifth.

This guy has a job and I don't? Lions to retain team President Matt Millen

The Lions can't do anything right. A full season of losing, and they manage to win their last game to lose the first overall pick. Six seasons well below .500, many squandered draft picks, and a very discontent fan base is still enough to allow Matt Millen to keep his job as team president. Move over James Dolan, we have found a more incompetent franchise owner. Lions owner William Clay Ford is set on retaining the league's most ineffective leader over the past six years. Despite snapping his streak of selecting a wide receiver in the first round of the draft for three straight years, the Lions resided at the bottom of the NFC North for the fourth time during Millen's tenure. They've won a meager 24 games over that time. That's only four a season. No other team has matched that level of futility in the same time period.

In the past two seasons fans have staged walkouts during the team's final home game, yet this man keeps his job. Just yesterday Jim Mora got fired two seasons after reaching an NFC championship game and Dennis Green's three year stay in Arizona is over despite his impressive coaching credentials. Apparently Ford didn't get the memo that the NFL is a win now league. There is good news in Detroit; Tigers' pitchers and catchers report to training camp at the end of next month to defend their AL pennant.

Boise State Seals It With A Kiss

Life can't get much better for Boise State Running Back Ian Johnson. While 2006 may have been his coming out party, 2007 got off to a pretty good start for the nation's second leading rusher. In last night's Tostitos Fiesta Bowl he converted the game winning two point conversion and proposed to his girlfriend during the post-game show. However, Johnson is not the only one who had a memorable night. Senior Quarterback Jared Zabransky went from goat to hero in the span of a minute and a half. Coach Chris Peterson and his staff put on a show-calling display never before seen in crunch time. A hook and ladder sent the game to overtime, a former walk-on threw an overtime touchdown, and the Statue of Liberty play sealed the deal. The imagination, innovation, and intestinal fortitude displayed by the brain trust of Boise State inspired anyone who watched.

This may have been the finest of the four overtime bowl games in BCS history. With the game ending well after midnight on the East Coast, unfortunately many people missed the thrilling conclusion. To quickly recap, Oklahoma scored 15 points in less than a minute to take a seven point lead with around a minute to play in regulation. On 4th and 18, the Broncos converted a hook and ladder for the game-tying score with seven seconds to play. After the Sooners scored on their first play in overtime, the Broncos again stunned their opponents with trickery. Reserve wide receiver Vinny Paretta tossed a touchdown to tight end Derek Schouman on fourth down to set up the ultimate "I don't believe what I just saw" moment. Down one, the Broncos opted to go for two. With three receivers bunched right, Zobransky pump faked right before handing the ball around his back to Johnson who scampered in to the left side of the end zone untouched for the winning conversion. Guys don't have the guts to call this play in a Turkey Bowl; how about making that decision to win the biggest game in Boise State history. Again, not enough can be said about the coaching done by Peterson and his staff.

Aside from being an instant classic, this game had several deeper implications. First, it reminded everyone how flawed the BCS system is. There must be a playoff system put in place. College sports is predicated on unpredictability; every George Mason and Boise State needs its chance to shine. However, the need for a tournament extends beyond that. Heading in to yesterday's games many felt that Michigan deserved to playing for the national championship. They were thoroughly dominated by a USC team who couldn't beat an inferior UCLA to secure their own spot in the BCS title game. Again, anything can happen in college sports. Now, we all know with the revenue created by bowl games there is very little hope of ever getting the playoff system so many fans desire. Schools and conferences will be unwilling to risk the enormous paychecks they receive for participating in these games. But why not have your cake and eat it too? The bowl games could serve as hosts to playoff games and still culminate in a BCS title game. It could still be an enormous cash cow for participating schools and give more programs the opportunity to chase a national championship.

Second, the belief that "mid-majors" who run the table are not prepared to take on the big boys of the BCS conferences must be dispelled. The running theme of last night's game, as nauseating as it was, continued to be "David vs. Goliath". I say nauseating because they compared the two programs as if what happened in past years truly affected the outcome of this game. The only link to the past that these teams have is the ability to recruit, and that is a very indirect connection. Yes, Oklahoma is a name brand in College Football and can bring in top level high school talent. But no, it does not matter how many more Heisman trophy winners or National Championships they've won when it comes down to winning a single ball game. The fact of the matter is that Boise State won all 13 games on its schedule, while Oklahoma dropped three. Obviously there was disparity in who they played, but until the big programs are willing to be challenged, the Boise State's of the college world will be denied their fair shot. Just like Utah did in 2005, an undefeated small conference school controlled a "powerhouse" program. When the media hypes "David vs. Goliath" every time a matchup like this occurs, it only strengthens the misconception that the smaller conferences can not compete with the bigger conferences. Boise State had a phenomenal season and should receive a world of credit. Although they won't get a crack at Ohio State this year, hopefully their win will accelerate some change.

NFL Loses Bright Young Star

New Year's day traditionally serves as a day of hope; an opportunity to start the new calendar year on the right foot. In Denver early this morning, the great feelings of a new beginning were short lived. After celebrating the holiday at a club in Denver, Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams suffered fatal gun shot wounds while seated in a limousine. A young, rising star for the Broncos, Williams' tragic death has hit the Broncos and NFL community hard. Every voice has echoed the same sentiments; Williams' engaging personality will be truly missed. It's often hard for fans to understand the mortality of professional athletes and today's tragedy is a cruel reminder. Most importantly, the family and friends have to deal with the premature death of a loved one. The reactions of his teammates and others around the league truly tell the story. Below are some thoughts from some of his teammates, but several more can be found at: http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/DEN/9902167

Broncos Teammate Nick Ferguson: "You had to see him around his family, you had to see him around his kids, you had to see him interact with everybody in the locker room. We're going to miss his presence, we're goin to miss the man in the locker room, we're goin to miss the man he could have had the potential to be."

Former High School Coach Anthony Criss: "He wanted to be a good parent, a good father, a good example for his kids. He will be missed."

Broncos Head Coach Mike Shanahan: "We all know that Darrent was an excellent player, but as a person, he was a first-class young man who brightened every room with his smile, attitude and personality. I cannot express how heartsick I feel at this loss."

The shooting death of Williams continues an alarming trend in Denver. Dating back to 2003, Steelers' linebacker Joey Porter and Nuggets guard Julius Hodge have also been shooting victims in the Denver area. Luckily the other two men survived their wounds. While it is a shame the Broncos lost such a talented young player, it is more important to realize that a 24 year old kid lost his life way earlier than he should have.

2007: The Year of The Coach?

In a day filled with resolutions, hangovers, and College Bowl games, the biggest stories of New Year's 2007 have to do with coaching. From Bobby Knight becoming the winningest coach in Men's Division I-A College Basketball to another Bowl victory for Joe-Pa, the headlines were dominated by the men of the sidelines. Those two men stole the spotlight early in the day with Paterno securing his 22nd bowl win before many even got out of bed. At around the same time in Lubbock, Texas, Red Raider nation serenaded Coach Knight with Frank Sinatra's "My Way" to commemorate his milestone. Knight's uncharacteristic show of emotion clearly demonstrated the importance of the victory to family, former players, mentors, and apprentices. Unquestionably his most successful protege and the man most likely to break his record, Coach Mike Kryzewski heaped praise on his former coach. For all the criticism Knight takes about his abrasive ways, it is clear to those around him that it is merely tough love.

While college coaches were climbing new heights, the men of the professional ranks were falling from their perch. The axe fell on NFL coaches Jim Mora and Dennis Green after their teams failed to live up to expectations. Mora's Falcons were a disappointing 7-9 and Green could not get his offensive weapons firing in one of the NFL's weakest divisions. One of their former colleagues, Miami coach Nick Saban, reportedly will receive a formal offer for the vacant Alabama position. Once a coveted position held by such coaching greats as Bear Bryant, Alabama has struggled to find their new head man. It is believed that the compensation should be enough to paint Saban crimson, but no official word has been made. Finally, many in the Steelers organization are suggesting Bill Cowher has coached his last football game. Cowher is the longest tenured coach in the NFL, but many believed that 2006 would be his final season on the sidelines. Crushing division rival Cincinnati's playoff hopes with a thrilling overtime win would be a nice way for Cowher to make his exit.