EXTRA! Reid All About It!

So I was listening to sports talk radio this past weekend (the national four-letter network that has taken over the world), and the on-air host made a statement that I can't stop thinking about. He was discussing the Philadelphia Eagles and said (I'm going to have to paraphrase here) that Andy Reid got lucky with Michael Vick.

That's not a fair statement. It's a statement that quite frankly discredits the character of Andy Reid. In the summer of 2009, the Philadelphia Eagles took a chance on Mike Vick. Thirty-one other teams passed. Most owners probably felt it wasn't worth the headache. It certainly would take the right type of coach to handle such a unique situation like this. Eagles' owner Jeffrey Lurie believed Andy Reid would be up for the task.

Andy Reid is all about second chances. Why? He has to be. Reid has two sons that have been to prison. One from a drug and weapons charge and the other from an altercation at a halfway house. There isn't one NFL head coach in the league today that has a better grasp on how prison can affect a young man, than Andy Reid. Make amends for your errors. Learn to live a new life. Mike Vick needed someone to open up that door to a new life and Andy Reid was right there to invite him in.

Not only did Andy Reid give Mike Vick a second chance in the NFL, he gave him a second chance to be a starter in this league. Sure, Vick got his break when Kevin Kolb got injured, but once Kolb got healthy, Reid stood by Mike.

The Mike Vick resurrection project wouldn't have worked out just anywhere. This project wasn't about playing time and depth charts. It's been about belief and encouragement. It's about faith and second chances. This journey is personal for Andy Reid. This story hits home. He deserves all the credit in the world for his team's success and Mike's success. There is nothing "lucky" about it.

Time To Say GoodBuy-Out

Calling all Georgia Tech alum! Calling anyone that is a fan of Georgia Tech men's basketball! We are starting a fundraiser. We need to raise money immediately. How much? Are you currently sitting down? I'll wait....

Approximately $8.1 million dollars.

That is how much its going to cost Georgia Tech to tell Paul Hewitt to clean out his locker. This program has reached it's breaking point. It's reached the point where we must now say: it's worth it.

I don't want to make this column about numbers. It's too easy to talk about his inability to get past the 2nd round in the NCAA tournament (in years his team has even qualified: 5 years out of 10). Yeah, I know, he took his team to the Final Four in 2003. That seems like it was at least seven years ago....it was. You know who else has gone to the Final Four since then? George Mason University & Butler University.

This season has been a disgrace and ACC play hasn't even begun. Hewitt's team already has losses to Kennesaw State, Northwestern and now in-state rival Georgia. Horrible, bad, trouble. For years, Hewitt has typically saved face in the offseason by landing a prize recruit. The problem is that window of opportunity with said star recruit closes so quickly, we hardly remember their name.

Ironically, while Georgia Tech was losing to UGA Tuesday night, I was at Philips Arena watching the New Jersey Nets, and former Paul Hewitt star recruit Derrick Favors. His stat-line: 24 minutes / 4 points, 5 rebounds. By the way, Hewitt's other prize recruits: Thaddeus Young has an NBA career average of 11 points and 4 rebounds. Javaris Crittenton...well, let's just say his NBA career bit the bullet (sorry, pun intended) and he now plays in China.

Coach Hewitt is always praised for his recruiting. However, it begs two questions: (1) is he good enough a coach to do something with these kids in the one year he has them? Calipari seems to do it. (2) why can't he convince these kids to stay more than one season? Coach K and Roy Williams seem to do it.

It's clear Georgia Tech is headed towards another subpar year. The ACC hasn't even been that competitive the past few years and this program had the chance to be one of those 2nd tier teams behind Duke and UNC. Instead, Georgia Tech has become nothing more than Virginia basketball or Clemson basketball. Irrelevant. A non-factor. Sadly, it doesn't have to be this way.

Bobby Cremins spent 19 years building this program into something special. Paul Hewitt is taking 10 years to slowly erase all the goodwill and credibility established by Cremins. It's time to stop the bleeding. This program is worth saving. It's ACC basketball in a fertile recruiting area.

There is an old expression: you have to spend money to make money. If the athletic department and alumni base at Georgia Tech are committed to producing a winning program, it's time to raise that $8 million dollars and make that 'donation'. It's worth it...

An A-PARENT Problem in College

LaMar Griffin didn't play college football at U.S.C. He didn't even attend U.S.C. However, LaMar Griffin is one of the main reasons the U.S.C. Trojans are sitting on probation with a two-year bowl ban and a loss of 30 football scholarships.

Who is LaMar Griffin? Reggie Bush's stepfather.

It's been well documented by now that Reggie's stepfather and mother, Denise Griffin lived in a house in San Diego registered to a 'wanna-be' sports marketer and agent. This was one of many red flags to anybody interested in bringing down the U.S.C. football program (namely Yahoo!Sports, the NCAA, the UCLA Bruin mascot etc...).

Flash forward to 2010. Cecil Newton is the man's name. Father to Cam Newton is his game. Reports and allegations have been all over the news the past week claiming Cecil Newton along with another 'wanna-be' agent began to market the services of his son to various schools in the SEC Conference.

Is it just me or is the common theme in these two stories, poor parental values? I understand not everyone is raised in the perfect environment. However, even when the economic or social climate is not favorable, the one thing these kids should be able to lean on in hard times is parental guidance and morals from a mother, a father, a step dad or a grandmother.

Cam Newton and Reggie Bush are elite athletes. Unfortunately with elite status comes attention and dollar signs. All of a sudden you become more than just a football player, you become a commodity. A revenue producer. You now have leverage. The question is what do you do with that leverage? There are plenty of schools and agents that have a promise and a plan. So what is an 18 to 22 year old to do now? Logic would dictate that you turn to your parents for moral support and guidance. "Moral?" Sounds rather ironic in these two cases.

How would things be different if Lamar Griffin and Denise Griffin had just said to Reggie, "son, I don't think we should take this man's money. I think as a family we can wait until you declare for the NFL. What's another 12 months?" Or how about, "Reggie, this isn't right. You are putting the USC program in jeopardy if wind of these payments get out." Where was the voice of reason on Reggie's right shoulder, while the devil had his ear on the left?

The same could be said for Cam Newton's father. Cecil Newton could have squashed all these potential problems with five simple words, "We Aren't Interested In Money."

Whether you are a student-athlete, a Heisman candidate or just a regular kid taking classes on campus, you arrive day one with the morals instilled from your home life. Reggie Bush and Cam Newton became larger than life stars. They became targets by people looking to make money off their success. It's just sad that those people were their parents...

(PLEASE FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER: @kidcue)

The Cost of Change

Sports fan are fickle by nature. We love to love and love to hate, and that's just in the first half of a ballgame. The minute players stop performing, we have one of two options: blame the player or blame the guy coaching the player. Typically player blame is only good for a game or two. After that, it has to be the coach, and we demand change.

Fans love to launch websites that start with http://www.fire---------.com/. It's therapeutic. Somehow we feel like we are part of the process in getting a coach fired. We post angry comments on team message boards with the hopes of rallying a fan base. Some of us even send email after email to local sports talk radio hosts hoping their complaints make it over the airwaves. (Now who would do such a thing like that??)

We must ask ourselves as fans - do we think owners or athletic directors read those boards? Do they listen to those radio stations? Perhaps some might, but more often than not, firings become financial decisions. How much will it cost them to fire this coach? How much will it cost them to get a new guy in here? Will I lose my fan base if change isn't made? Afterall, if fans get so angry that change isn't made and don't show up and spend money, it can cost you down the road (see Dallas Cowboys).

In the Atlanta area alone there are plenty of case studies. Paul Hewitt at Georgia Tech (better known as Teflon Don, once details of his contract were exposed), can't get fired because his contract has a unique clause that automatically renews him for 6-years...every year! If the school wants to dump him, they will have to pay him 6-years worth of salary at $1.35 million per year! So basically Tech fans are stuck without change.

On the pro level, the Atlanta Hawks decided to fill their recent coaching vacancy by shopping at WalMart where they found Larry Drew on sale for about $1.2 Million. This makes him the lowest paid coach in the NBA. Good news for Hawks fans, it's only a 2-year deal and if they want to make a change, it's an easier pill to swallow than coach Hewitt's at GA Tech.

Over in Athens, Georgia, Bulldog fans don't know what to do with themselves. They aren't happy with Mark Richt...of late, but unless they know they can land a 'flavor of the month' replacement, they don't want to take a chance. Or it could just be the fact that the athletic department would have to stroke Richt a check for $5 million to make a change.

Just last week we saw across this great nation in the midterm elections, it's human nature to want change. When things don't feel good we expect it. We demand change. How did the GOP accomplish this change? Was it in the message or in the money?

They say sports often mirrors society. It's clear that change is en vogue right now. Coaches are no different then congressmen or senators. If we want change, it's going to cost us!

Goodbye Bobby

I don't know the man, but I wish I did. I've never met him before, but I wish I had. Bobby Cox, the legendary manager of the Atlanta Braves was ushered off into retirement Monday night as the Braves fell to the San Francisco Giants, losing the series 3-1.

Bobby Cox was the like the grandfather of a city. Turning on a Braves game and seeing Bobby sitting in the dugout or leaning against that rail yelling, "c'mon kid" at every one of his players became a rite of passage every Spring. It brought us a sense of comfort. The world was on it's axis. Bobby in that dugout was as much a part of the fabric of Atlanta as Lenox Mall and the Christmas Tree. Piedmont Park and the Dogwood Festival. The Varsity and hotdogs.

When Spring Training began for Braves fans there was always hope - hope that was generated from a sense of stability. That's what Bobby Cox did for this organization...he brought stability. Fitting that as Turner Field said it's goodbye to Bobby Monday night, they played a tribute video with the song, "Like A Rock" by Bob Seger. Sure, some players changed every year, trades were made in the middle of pennant runs, but the one constant was Bobby. Yeah, fans had their opinions on chess moves he made or didn't make in postseason games over the years, but Bobby survived the criticism and kept coming back year after year. It was all he knew. He was going to walk away on his own terms.

Which brings us to Monday Night. Bobby took the podium for one last time after the game and as expected he got a little emotional when talking about addressing his players after the loss. He had to bite his bottom lip to hold back the tears. Bobby was visibly embarrassed. As he put it, "a grown man shouldn't do this..." It's no surprise the one topic which struck an emotional chord with Bobby was having to talk about his guys. The ultimate "player's manager" 'til the end.

When Opening Day arrives next Spring, it will feel strange to players and fans alike to not see Bobby in that dugout. When the umpire shouts, "play ball" you can bet there will be a grandfather sitting in his house, probably with his grandkids, watching the game, biting his bottom lip...

Thoughts From Saturday's Couch...

I still contend, until college football has a playoff system, Saturdays will continue to have more storylines than Sundays. The games right now mean a whole lot more in September/October then they do in the NFL.

Thanks to the two televisions , and some fast thumb action on the remotes, I had the chance to watch and digest a lot of games this past Saturday. Here are some random thoughts:

It's blasphemy to say this, and most sportswriters down South would certainly never admit it, but has anybody noticed the S.E.C. is rather weak this year? Looks to me like a one trick pony named Roll Tide. There is some really bad football being played in this conference, primarily in the S.E.C. East. Who is having a rougher Sunday morning, Mark Richt, Urban Meyer or Derek Dooley?

Just when you thought losing to Miss.State was rock bottom for Georgia, they dug a little deeper and found there is still room to fall. Losing at Colorado registered pretty loudly on the Mark 'Richter Scale' with Bulldog alumni! I'm not even sure beating the Gators this year would be considered a quality win. Anybody seen their offense lately? Talk about an un-Godly (Tebow reference) performance against Alabama!

As for what's going on in Knoxville...well, Derek Dooley went from 'signature win' to 'I can't believe our coach had 13 guys on the freakin field! Lane Kiffin isn't that dumb!' Rather ironic Les Miles is in charge of this Tiger program because that dude has 9 lives like a cat! LSU may be undefeated right now, but they have certainly failed 'the eye test'. They have not looked good, primarily because their quarterback play has been so mediocre.

It's clear that Alabama is going to win the SEC West and take on some mediocre team from the SEC East and clean their clock at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

Finally, who is the genius at ABC that felt the urge to jam a Notre Dame/Boston College game down our throats on the East Coast? I understand the power of the Irish Catholic church, but I heard from Rick Sanchez at CNN, Jews run the networks anyway! So what gives?!? (I kid because I can...) The entire East Coast missed the most exciting game of the night, a battle of two top ten teams: Stanford vs. Oregon. Ask an SEC fan who LaMichael James is and you'll get a blank stare. He's the 5-9, 185 pound running back that ripped off 257 yards and 3 TD's vs. Stanford on Saturday. He's the guy who is now in the Heisman mix with Michigan's Denard Robinson. (Which by the way, do yourself a favor and set aside time to watch Denard...it's like Reggie bush all over again. I wonder if his parents have a mansion in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan?)

That's all for now....stay tuned next week when I analyze whether or not Nick Saban has the ability to smile.....

Too Unscripted for Fairy Tale Endings

Sports - it's the best unscripted reality show on television. Regardless of where you live or where you're from, you cling to a team or two and hope for a fairy tale ending each season. However, the joy we experience from it's unpredictability can also provide us pain and anguish.



Here in Atlanta, Braves skipper Bobby Cox is managing his team for one final week. After this season he will do something he hasn't done in over 30 years, leave the game of baseball.


The final chapter of this fairy tale began in early Spring and continued throughout most of the summer. It has been quite the page turner with an old grizzled veteran character going down (Chipper Jones) halfway through the story and minor characters stepping up to become grand slam heroes at times (Brooks Conrad and David Ross).

This final chapter also had it's fair share of villains. Some appeared to be harmless on the exterior (Washington Nationals, Florida Marlins), but the minute the Braves let their guard down, they were tomahawk chopped right between the eyes, left for dead, and looking up at first place in the division. Like any good story, the biggest, baddest villain of them all (the Phillies) usually finds himself in a showdown with the main character in the final scene. This will be the case Friday, Saturday and Sunday when the division nemesis comes to Atlanta with intentions on destroying any hopes of a happy ending for these Braves.


In an ideal world we would skip ahead these final six pages (games) to sneak a peak at how this will all end. Will there be sadness or jubilation? Ahh, but in this cruel world of sports, we all know that's not possible. Those final six pages have yet to be written. The only guarantee we have right now is that when the last page is turned and we close this book for good, it's main character, Bobby Cox, will ride off into the sunset. We can only hope he lives happily ever after....

The Great American GiveBack

So Reggie Bush decided to step up and give back his Heisman Trophy before that obscure, random group I wrote about in my last column (The Heisman Trust) took it from him.

While we are in the giving mood, I have a few suggestions:

In Sports Illustrated issue dated April 1st, 1985, Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier of Nebraska admitted he had signed with an agent and accepted money before the 1984 Orange Bowl game, a violation of NCAA rules. I want Mike Rozier to give back his Heisman Trophy.

Roger Clemens cheated...he took steroids and lied to congress. Those are facts. So here's what I want: I want the New York Yankees to lose their World Series titles in 1999 and 2000. Roger Clemens pitched in both of those series. I want them to give those trophies back. I want Roger Clemens to personally give back all seven of Cy Young Awards.

Mark McGuire cheated...he took steroids and lied to congress. I want Mark McGuire to give back his AL Rookie of the Year Award. I want the Oakland A's to give back their 1989 World Series trophy. Heck, not only did they beat the San Francisco Giants with McGuire, but they had another cheater in Jose Canseco.

Alex Rodriguez took performance enhancing drugs. He signed a $252 million contract in the prime of his steroid-using career. I want him to give some of that money back.

October 8th, 1988 former Heisman Trophy winner Tony Dorsett was arrested for driving under the influence -- well, that doesn't seem to live up to the moral standards of the snooty Heisman Trust, gosh darnit, I want him to give his award back.

Back in 2000, former Heisman Trophy winner Billy Sims sold his trophy to cover a multitude of debts and to pay about $32,000 in back child support. I want him to.......wait, nevermind, he doesn't even own it anymore.

My point is all over the world of sports there are players who broke the rules or cheated that are sitting at home with a mantle full of awards. There are teams that benefited from those players that won championships that have their trophies proudly displayed. Yet, Reggie Bush seems to be the only one that has been "forced" to give his prize back. Why?

Can We Trust The 'Trust'?

Ever heard of Sanford Wurmfeld? William Dockery? No? And you call yourself a college football fan?! Don't feel bad, I've never heard of them either, however, apparently they are two members of the 8-member Heisman Trust Board, and they will decide if Reggie Bush deserves to lose his Heisman. Who are the other six members on this board? Good luck finding that out. I spent 30 minutes on Google trying to track down their names. Heisman.com didn't list any of the names either. Why not? I would like to know who makes up this Trust and what their background is in the sport of college football. Somebody call Oliver Stone!

I invite you all to Google Sanford Wurmfeld. You will quickly learn that this member of the Heisman Trust is a New York City abstract painter and a chairman of the art department at Hunter College. He will decide if Reggie Bush should lose his Heisman.

William Dockery? He's a New York City lawyer. He doesn't have a website. Not really sure what firm he works for either. His business address is the same as the Heisman Trust's website. So what type of law is he exactly practicing? Perhaps he is hired by past Heisman Trophy winners to fight for their rights to better seats at the Downtown Athletic Club once a year. Perhaps he just decides whether Reggie Bush should lose his Heisman.

I'm not so sure I like the idea of some artsy-fartsy painter, a lawyer without a practice, and six other mysterious members in New York City deciding whether or not Reggie Bush keeps his Heisman, which yes, went to the best player in college football that year. I would rather see the Trust hand this over to a vote by all the previous winners. If guys like Eddie George, Troy Smith, Tony Dorsett, Ty Detmer and Jason White feel Reggie still deserves to lose his Heisman, than I think most college football fans would understand and accept the final vote. But please don't tell me some abstract artist named Wurmfeld is going to have a say in this decision.

When is enough a enough? Reggie Bush isn't welcome on USC's campus or allowed to attend a USC game. USC has basically wiped clean any proof that he ever existed. The one thing that no one can take away from him is the season he had on the field in 2005. He was the best player in college football. That will always exist....even if members of the Heisman Trust say otherwise.

My Team On Probation, I'm Still Intrigued By College Football's Storylines

After taking the second half of the summer off, I decided what better day to get back into blogging than September 1st. Regardless of the 90 degree heat that is still sweeping the South and the East Coast, I contend once the calendar hits September, Summer Is Over! This, of course, means FOOTBALL is here.

I thought I'd put some of my random college football thoughts in writing before the season officially kicks off Thursday night with Murray State at Kent State! Ok, that's actually not the marquee game of the night, but I need to expand my readership and why not start with the Golden Flashes of Kent State fan base.

> My interest Thursday night clearly lies with the USC Trojans heading out West (not often you get to say that) to take on the Hawaii Warriors. That game kicks off 11:00 PM Eastern and Bahamas time (which is where I'll be Thursday night). Trojan fans can't even get East coast writers to pop a 5-hour energy drink for the regular 10:00 PM Pac-10 games on FSN during the season, so I doubt many will be awake to catch Lane Kiffin's debut as a head coach for the men of Troy. Although the few that are awake will sadly be rooting for him to fail.

> Looking around the rest of the nation, I'm obviously intrigued by any program that has to defend it's national championship. Ask any coach at a big time program how tough it is to win back-to-back titles in college football. The Crimson Tide will start the season without their Heisman Trophy running back, Mark Ingram.

> I'm curious to see how year three goes for Paul Johnson at Georgia Tech. ACC coaches now have had a few years of film to sift through to plot and plan for the YellowJacket's unique spead-option offense. Saturday's are made for quarterbacks like Josh Nesbitt. Tough as nails and the perfect leader for this team.

> Will Georgia, led by former Plant High School stud out of Tampa, Aaron Murray be able to give the Gators a run in the SEC East this year? Will All-World wide receiver AJ Green be good enough to put his team on his back for an extra win or two this year? The 'Dawgs may need it!

> Can the Wisconsin Badgers return to the glory days under Barry Alvarez and get back to the Rose Bowl? That may be determined on October 16th when the Buckeyes come to Camp Randall Stadium in Madison for a season-changing showdown.

> Speaking of the Rose Bowl, who is going to step up and claim the other invitation from the Pac10? The conference is loaded at quarterback, the question is will there be enough pieces on the defensive side of the ball for guys like Jake Locker at Washington or Andrew Luck at Stanford? Will the running game at Oregon State be enough to keep the Beavers in the conference title hunt and is QB Nate Costa at Oregon going to win games for the Ducks or just manage them?

Other quick hits:

Les Miles seat is hot.

Bob Stoops has a big mouth.

What will the BCS computers think of Boise State if they run the table?

Rich Rodriguez better not lose to UCONN to start the season.

Are expectations high or low for Derek Dooley at Tennessee?

Will an ACC team emerge as a national title contender?

The Denver Broncos have a BYE Week November 7th....will Tim Tebow use that time to visit the Gators and bless them for the 2nd of half of their season?

I still contend Saturday's are more exciting then Sundays during football season. There are more meaningful games and better bitter rivalries. Although my alma mater (USC) is on probabtion for the next two seasons, college football will still provide me with enough storylines to keep me intrigued until the very end.

A Tale of Two Cities

As NFL training camps open this week, there is one player that can't wait to get back to his team more than any other guy in the league -- Reggie Bush.

It's human nature to want to feel loved. We are much more comfortable in an environment where we feel appreciated. Reggie Bush grew up in southern California (San Diego to be exact). He was a high school superstar and when he took his talents to U.S.C. he became a national phenomenon. Aside from Kobe Bryant, Reggie Bush was probably the biggest star athlete in all of Los Angeles. He was loved. He was in a comfortable environment.

This summer, on June 10th, all of that changed for this once proud native son of southern California. When the U.S.C. program was hit with a two-year bowl ban and the loss of scholarships by the NCAA, all fingers were pointed at Reggie Bush. The school that was more than happy to call this former Heisman Trophy winner their own was now forced to disassociate themselves from Bush. Since he was declared ineligible during USC's title run, the school had to pretend he never existed. Heisman trophy in Heritage Hall...buh bye. Retired number hanging in the L.A. Coliseum...buh bye. Murial painting along the wall of the athletic training facility hallway...covered up.

Suddenly this didn't seem like such a comfortable environment after all for Bush. He won't be welcome at practice. It will probably be very tough for him to attend a home game anytime soon. The message boards, blogs and tweets have been ruthless. His legacy is destroyed in Los Angeles.

"We're Jazzed You're Here" - that is the latest marketing campaign for the city of New Orleans, and it could not mean more to Reggie Bush than right now. NFL training camp and the upcoming season is Bush's escape. The timing could not be better and the environment could not be more opposite than what he leaves behind in southern California.

The minute Bush hit the ground in New Orleans in 2006, he was called "Saint Reginald" by the city. The city had been devastated after Hurricane Katrina and this Bush was just what the doctor ordered. He started a "Yard by Yard, Neighborhood by Neighborhood" program which built homes in New Orleans based on Bush's yardage totals. He helped a special needs school in the area stay open after Katrina by donating $56,000 in sponsorship money from Adidas. He personally funded an $86,000 artificial field turf for Tad Gormley Stadium, where six local high schools play their football games. This past summer he held his 2nd Annual Youth Football camp in New Orleans as well. Oh yeah, and on the field he helped the team win it's first Super Bowl.

In the city of New Orleans, Reggie Bush is, well, a "saint." In the City of Angels (Los Angeles) Reggie Bush is a sinner. One man, two reputations. Two cities, two opinions. For the next six months Reggie Bush can leave his alter-ego on the west Coast. Ironically, he probably feels like he's now home. After all, this is the environment where he feels loved...

Ugly Just Like Us

Years ago the front man for the rock band Staind, Aaron Lewis, wrote a song called 'Outside'. The main chorus of the song went:

I can see through you
See your true colors
Cause inside your ugly
Your ugly like me...

Never have truer words been spoken about the world of college football. Here is breaking news: Ugly is everywhere, not just at USC. For the past few months USC fans have had to endure the criticism, the revelling from haters, the jokes and pretty much a general, "shame on you guys" from any and all college football fans, experts and writers (yes, I separate 'experts' and 'writers'). Here is the ugly secret of college football: what happens at USC happens at 'BCS' programs all over the country, and these past few weeks are proving that point.

USC was guilty of 'lack of institutional control'. That's the nice way of saying, 'how can you not know agents are giving your student athletes improper benefits?!' The NCAA wanted to make an example out of USC. That's what happens when Yahoo Sports launches a witch hunt on a program that had been too good for too long. It's human nature to want to watch and relish in the fall of something great.

The University of Florida is now being investigated for one of it's former standout players, Maurkice Pouncey, receiving up to $100,000 from an agent prior to the Gator's Sugar Bowl game. Sounds ugly to me.

The University of North Carolina and University of South Carolina are also both being investigated by the NCAA on allegations their football players received improper gifts from agents. Sounds ugly to me.

What else is ugly? How about 11 Notre Dame football players being arrested over the weekend? How about star athletes at Georgia and Tennessee being arrested? Want Assault? Look no further than the defensive end for the Pitt Panthers.

Ahhhhh....mush. None of these stories matter right? The NCAA took down USC. Isn't that what everyone wanted to see? They are the big fat cheaters on the West Coast. Everything else is just gravy at this point. Who needs football West of the Mississippi anyways? The NCAA wanted to make an example out of an elite program....and boy did they ever. They must now go from 'setting an example' to 'staying consistent'. If other programs are guilty of the same charges USC was, then the penalties must be consistent.

Let's be honest here. Who doesn't believe that if the NCAA spent four years (like it did with USC) with their flashlights and magnifying glasses up the University of Florida's rear-end they wouldn't find dirt? A successful program that cranks out NFL talent year after year is bound to have some agents hanging around and is clearly going to have a star players 'taken care of' while enrolled in school. You don't think star college athletes sign with agents just because they are nice guys do you?

In the case with USC, the NCAA wanted to send a message to college football programs across the country: violate the rules and the penalty will be harsh. Right now, college football programs are sending a message back, and man is it ugly!

'Witness' The Heat Turned Up In Miami

Well the decision was finally made and there is so much to digest off of one man saying two words: Miami Heat.

My first reaction, as a guy from a small Midwest market (Milwaukee), I feel bad for the city of Cleveland, but they need to understand this decision. LeBron James is entitled to assess the landscape, talk to a variety of teams and make his own choice on which franchise gives him the best chance to win now. This wasn't about loyalty or money. It was about winning. It's not LeBron's fault he didn't get to play with Shaq in his prime. It's not LeBron's fault the Cavs couldn't trade for a Pao Gasol in exchange for a few basketballs and clipboards. It's not LeBron's fault he got stuck with Mike Brown instead of Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson.

On to Miami. There aren't many cities in this country that sell themselves more than Miami Beach. In fact the dichotomy of Cleveland vs. South Beach couldn't be greater. There is a reason free agents aren't flocking to Milwaukee and Sacramento. It's seems to me that 'lifestyle' is more important in the NBA culture than other sports and Miami Beach ranks #1 in that category.

As for the new-look Heat, most 'experts' believe the Heat aren't ready to win a title just yet. The Heat have their big three and I believe the rest of the roster will be filled out with a city-wide Hoop-It-Up tournament at the Dade County YMCA. The Heat need a point guard, a center, and most importantly, depth to survive a playoff run.

The pressure on these guys (but mostly LeBron) begins game one of the NBA season. If they lose two in a row, the chemistry articles will be written. If they lose three in a row, Erik Spoelstra will be back to holding Pat Riley's clipboard during timeouts. Pat Riley allowing Erik Spoelstra to coach this group of guys is the equivalent of Coach K. allowing Chris Collins to coach Team USA in the Olympics. It really is amazing how Pat Riley's "aura" has now transcended three decades of the NBA . He has remained relevant and more importantly, powerful, influential and respected by players young and old.

On the flipside, what are the Nets thinking now that all the big name free agents have found a home? I'm guessing Brook Lopez never thought he'd be the face of Nets.com on July 10th. I wonder if that Russian billionaire owner thought he was buying the Mets, not the Nets and things just got lost in translation. How do you say "do over" in Russian? When your billboard marketing campaign doesn't even involve a player (Jay-Z), you definitely have roster problems. Well, good luck to him and his move to Brooklyn. Nyet!

Say what you want about this spectacle Thursday night on ESPN, but it made the NBA relevant and exciting in the middle of July. LeBron James is a star in this star-driven league. Whether he now has new fans in Miami or if the Heat become the new villains of the NBA, David Stern is smiling. His brand is healthy and this upcoming season promises to be something special. In fact you might even say so special...it's fit for a 'King.'

2nd Rate All Around

The Atlanta Hawks are owned by a group of six or seven investors (I stopped keeping track when I stopped caring) called the Atlanta Spirit. I think it's fair to say they are considered a 2nd rate ownership group. They aren't in the elite class of say a Jerry Buss (Lakers), Wyc Grousbeck (Celtics), Mickey Arison (Heat), Mark Cuban (Mavericks) just to name a few. Unlike those other franchises the Atlanta Spirit is comprised of three or four guys who care more about their fledgling hockey franchise than NBA basketball. Yeah, that's 2nd rate.

Joe Johnson is the Hawks leading scorer. Again, I think it's fair to say he's considered a 2nd rate star in this league. He doesn't have a cool nickname like Flash, Melo, or even merit the one word moniker like 'Kobe', 'Jordan', 'LeBron'. Although the nickname 'Average Joe' keeps popping into my head. He's never won a 2nd round playoff game and has a tendency to disappear in big moments.

"Second Rate Ownership Group Overpays Second Rate Star". It's like a match made in heaven. These two are so perfect for each other, Neither of them know how to win. Neither of them appear to have the passion and fiery emotion within to want to compete for an NBA Championship. If Joe was about winning he would have hitched his wagon to wherever LeBron, Bosh or Wade landed. If the Atlanta Spirit was about winning, they would have pulled the trigger to land Amare Stoudamire last summer when they had the chance.

The Atlanta Spirit won't admit it but they have always been more concerned about their P&L (Profit & Loss) Statement then their W&L (Wins & Loss) Statement. Oh, and please don't tell me this ownership group thinks fans of the Hawks should be grateful for them opening up their checkbooks to overpay for Joe Johnson. That's not the winning message I'm looking for. I'm looking for a smart, intelligent approach to assembling a team capable of competing for a title. Throwing $119 million at a 2nd rate player is a bad investment. Re-signing Marvin Williams last summer for $40 million is a bad investment.

There is an old expression 'scared money doesn't make money.' The Atlanta Spirit gave Joe Johnson $119 million because they were scared. They were scared that they won't ever be able to lure an all-star caliber player here again. They were scared that if Joe left and the Hawks had a poor season, it would greatly hinder their ability to sell this team.

It's no surprise I have yet to read one national NBA columnist write a story on how this max contract for Joe Johnson was smart. I'm sure the Atlanta Spirit is proud of themselves today. Nobody can call them cheap. Sure, they spent some money. That's the easy part. Making a smart investment.....that's the hard part.

Saving the Trojan Empire Is All On Lane

The Trojan Empire is in trouble. The NCAA took about the same time we had in between World Cups to make their decision (4 years) and the hammer they dropped on the USC Trojan football program was like taking a penalty kick right in the face.

USC was hit with a two-year bowl ban, the loss of more than 20 scholarships and perhaps forfeiture of wins from the 2004 season, when the team won the BCS National Championship. (Ok, Maalox moment for me begins now)

So where does this leave the once 'Tiffany program' of college football? That will all depend on the man who claims to have a plan, that left Tennessee in a van for the West Coast to get a tan. (Sorry for that. Clearly I'm not thinking straight, as a proud Trojan Alum). Lane Kiffin has shown he can be as good a recruiter as any coach in America. Prior to today's news from the NCAA, he has been. However, coach Kiffin is now faced with the daunting task of convincing 17 and 18 year old kids that the USC football brand will remain as strong as ever.

Coach Kiffin has been called slimy, unfaithful and nothing more than a used car salesman. 'Slimy and unfaithful'...that's a Tennessee fan's issue. 'Used car salesman', that might be just the elixir the USC football program needs right about now. Think about it. Coach Kiffin has to walk into high school kid's living rooms for the next few years and convince them that this dented and beatup car (the USC program) is still a great buy and will get you from point A (college) to point B (the NFL).

Coach Kiffin will also have to be the ultimate motivator to the current roster of student athletes. This penalty delivered by the NCAA could be used as a rallying-cry. The 2010 USC Trojans, who are guilty of doing absolutely nothing wrong, should have plenty of motivation to run the table with an undefeated season and sit atop the polls smiling at the BCS, the AP voters and Pete Carroll, who clearly believes the program is sinking fast. Coach Kiffin can continue to recruit kids that believe in the USC brand and make a statement to all the haters that are reveling in these sanctions that we will not fall from grace. We will not become irrelevant for a decade. In other words - we will not become UCLA.

As incoming prize recruit Markeith Ambles stated on Twitter (@MA_DaNextillWR) late last night: "Yes I'm still going to attend 'SC. I don't care about two little bowl games even if that happens...Let's Go Trojans. We still goin 12-0" With kids like this, the Trojan Empire will survive this bump in the road.

One is Nice, Two is Legendary

The NBA Finals begin Thursday night with a familiar matchup: Lakers vs. Celtics. Just two seasons ago these two teams battled each other, with the Celtics winning the championship. It was the first title for Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Rajon Rondo.

If the Celtics never got back to the NBA Finals with this group of veterans, Boston fans would still have been grateful. The 'Big Three', as they were called in 2008 before Rondo became the team's MVP, all solidified their place in Springfield, MA as future Hall of Famers. That's nice.

However, this same group of guys now have the chance to do something really special. This group has a chance to win a second title and become legendary. I know, this IS the Boston Celtics franchise, where winning two titles as a group actually can be sneezed at. Yet there is something about winning that second title that validates you as a group and certainly merits top billing on the career resume'.

Having lived in Atlanta for the past 15 years, I can't tell you how often I've heard Braves fan say they wish Manager Bobby Cox had won a second title to 'book end' a storied career. The Braves won 14 pennants in 15 years, but only have one World Series title to show for it. For all the success their 'Big Three' had (Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz), they all walked away from the game with only one championship on their resume. There is something that just feels incomplete about that.

The Green Bay Packers had Brett Favre under center for 16 seasons. He won three MVP trophies, went to nine Pro Bowls, but left/retired/was forced out with only one Super Bowl title. Favre led the Packers to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances, but lost the 1997 Super Bowl to John Elway and the Denver Broncos (yes, they won two). Had Favre won that 2nd title you wonder if he would still be putting us through all the drama of retiring/unretiring. Clearly his sole purpose in life right now is chasing that 2nd title.

So as the NBA Finals tip off Thursday night, the chase for title number two begins for this group of Boston Celtics. They draw the same opponent they defeated en route to their first title. This is there chance to prove that one was no fluke. This is their chance to turn nice into legendary...

Missing Four Ingrediants

The NBA playoffs are down to the final four teams. The teams on the outside looking in probably notice those four teams have an identity that works for them, and its the main reason they are still standing.

As a Hawks fan, I can't help but notice that they are missing those four ingredients. I'm not suggesting they need to go get all four, but the reality is, they don't have even one item on the grocery list! Let's take a closer look:

The Lakers -

This team has a championship coach in Phil Jackson. He runs a system that works. This team has a superstar in Kobe Bryant. He comes through for his team in the clutch.

The Hawks -

Currently they don't have a coach. The one they did never won a 2nd round playoff game. His system apparently was some variation of organized chaos. Their "star" player....Joe Johnson, in big games, big moments, clutch possessions - he disappeared quicker than a John Gotti witness.

The Magic -

This team is built around their center, Dwight Howard. They can play an inside out game, with multiple players who are capable of knocking down outside shots.

The Hawks -

Their center is a power forward playing out of position in Al Horford. When Horford gets doubled, you can hear a collective gasp in Philips Arena when Josh Smith sets up on the perimeter calling for Al to kick it out of the double team (or it ends up in the hands of Joe - "Mr. Clutch." Pick your poison.)

The Suns -

They have the ultimate floor general. They have a true point guard in Steve Nash. His first priority is to make life easier for his teammates. He's also a tough-nosed player who has played through some pretty painful injuries this post-season.

The Hawks -

They have a point guard who can move side-to-side about as quickly as my grandmother (and she can't even go to her left.) Mike Bibby's better days (years) are behind him. In fact they are so far back, you have to squint really hard to see them.

The Celtics -

What makes this team so successful is their team defense. Guys like Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce will frustrate their opponent on the perimeter, while Kevin Garnett will get into the mind of his counterpart while protecting the paint down low. A large part of their success is credited to assistant coach and defensive specialist, Tom "I Will Be A Head Coach Somewhere Next Season" Thibodeau.

The Hawks -

Well....Josh Smith can block a few shots. Yep....that's about all I got when it comes to the Hawks and their defense.

So let's recap the key four ingredients: (1) a championship caliber coach with a clutch star player (2) a true dominant center (3) a traditional, pure point guard (4) team defense.

The Hawks are lacking all four. I'd say it's time for Rick Sund to go grocery shopping this summer....and he better bring his checkbook!

Stuck In No Man's Land

It's over. The Joe Johnson experiment was a mild success. There is no shame in that. He came here and helped the team make the playoffs the past three seasons. He just didn't do much for them once he got there. In fact, over the past 7 playoff games Johnson averaged 13 points per game on 32 percent shooting.

If the Hawks want to be contenders in the East, they need to find a leader and a closer. They need to find their Batman. Right now they are stuck with Robin. However, we all know its not that easy to land a superhero, unless you have a lot of money or a lot of valuable assets to trade.

The Hawks are now stuck in that no-mans land. They are good enough to make the playoffs, but just bad enough to never win a 2nd round series. So how did this happen? I have my own theories, and it starts with one man -- Marvin Williams. It's two-fold. Marvin represents a mistake. He represents a giant mistake made by the former Hawks general manager Billy Knight, who selected a player that didn't fill a need at the time. The Hawks desperately needed a point guard and Chris Paul and Deron Williams were available. Billy wanted another "big." That mistake has probably set back this franchise for 5 years, maybe more. The Hawks have never been able to stabilize the point guard position since that blunder (See Acie Law, Speedy Claxton, Jeff Teague).

On top of all that, Marvin regressed this year, averaging 1o ppg in the regular season and 9 ppg in the playoffs. That is your #2 overall lottery pick. Not getting production out of that pick, in my opinion, is why the Hawks are not contenders in the East. That is the key to this whole situation. If that pick had panned out either in the form of Chris Paul or Deron Williams, or if Marvin turns into a real player (17 ppg as an example), then the Hawks fortunes are completely different.

Think about it. Everyone else on this roster pretty much gave you what you expected. Joe was a 20+ ppg all star. Horford is a solid double double guy. Josh Smith is a stat stuffer with points, rebounds, blocks and steals. Jamal lead all 6th men in scoring. Bibby was a solid role player. And then there's clumsy Marvin Williams. Not only did he fail to improve, he got worse.....and richer. That's a recipe for disaster for any franchise. That's how general managers lose their jobs.

The Hawks better make some major moves this summer. Minor tweaks aren't good enough anymore. Pull off a blockbuster trade. This team needs a hero. It needs a star. It needs a Batman....

Yes...Now We Know

For the past two seasons the Atlanta Hawks have used as their marketing campaign, "Now You Know." This all came about after the Hawks LOST a 7-game series to the Boston Celtics three years ago. Apparently someone in the Hawks marketing department thought losing a 7-game series was worth pounding their chest over. The real meaning, I'm guessing, is/was "now you know what we are all about....we play competitive basketball and can compete with the elite teams in the East." Again, this was two seasons ago....my how things have changed.

I think we can all agree, the Hawks need to re-evaluate the, "Now You Know" slogan, because after watching these past two post-seasons, the one thing we now know is it's time to make changes.

We know that the Hawks need a new coach. Mike Woodson has been here for 6 seasons. In professional sports, that's an eternity for a head coach. There is a reason for that too....most owners/general managers are quick to realize when a coach has overstayed his welcome. It usually happens around the 5-year mark. By that time, unless the coach is cranking out championships, most parties involved realize a new voice in the huddle is probably needed.

We know that Joe Johnson started thinking about free agency after the Milwaukee series. Looking completely overwhelmed in Game One vs. Orlando and shooting 4 for 11 for 10 points, Joe Johnson had had enough. Joe didn't care about being an Atlanta Hawk anymore. His body was on the court for Games Two and Three, however, his mind was in New York, Chicago, Miami, or any other place with way too much money to spend on such a mediocre playoff performer. Oh, and 'now we know' Joe doesn't really care what the Atlanta fans think about him.
We know that Mike Bibby is really over matched vs. any point guard under the age of 30.

We know that Josh Smith can mentally checkout of a game before the first TV timeout.

We know that Marvin Williams is stealing money from the Hawks.

We know that Al Horford continues to play out of position and may not sniff the All-Star game again until he is moved to power forward.

We know that Rick Sund now has the daunting task of retooling a franchise by replacing two critical pieces: the head coach, the top scorer.

Maybe next season the Hawks can launch their new campaign - "Now Without Joe." Or if they continue to start Bibby at point guard, perhaps they go with, "Now We're Slow." A while back, they went with, "Rise Up." Apparently that was a reference to the cost of season tickets.

It's clear changes must be made this summer. The Hawks ownership knows it. The general manager knows it.....and now you know it.

Thoughts After Game Two - It's Time For Change

It's time. Time to move in a new direction. The Atlanta Hawks need a brand refresh. This team is made up of too many negative personalities. It has never been more glaring than in these first two games vs. Orlando.

Again, you can start with the head coach. His personality does not get through to his players. When things start falling apart in a game, he sulks on the bench. This franchise needs a new voice. A new attitude. By the way, he completely over-thought the entire strategy for defending Dwight Howard. It's the playoffs - that means I better see Jason Collins and Randolph Morris sitting on the bench in their $1000 suits, not playing critical minutes in a game when Al Horford only had 1 first half foul.

Joe Johnson doesn't speak. That's a problem. Your team leader should also be your floor leader. He should be an extension of the coach. Joe is anything but that. I've sat 6 rows from the floor for probably 38 Hawks home games this year and I can honestly say I don't ever remember hearing Joe Johnson speak. Not to teammates, opponents, or referees. If not for a post-game sound bite on the television, I don't think I'd even know what he sounds like. In Game Two Thursday night when Josh Smith was pouting and not getting back on defense (or offense), nobody said anything to him. If Joe Johnson were a leader, he would have pulled him aside during the next whistle and got in his face! With the Hawks still in this game at the end of the 3rd quarter I emailed a bunch of friends to say, "Let's see if Joe Johnson can have a moment just once. Biggest quarter of his career." What did Joe do? He scored 2 points in the 4th quarter.

As for Josh Smith...is there a bigger enigma on this roster? When it's going bad for him, it's like a really bad accident on I-285, tough to watch, and really quite maddening. Josh still doesn't know his limitations. He still thinks he should be leading the fast break. If everyone in the building knows that after two dribbles he will either turn it over himself or have it stolen from behind....why doesn't he know it?? He still thinks if he misses a jump hook he is entitled to find the closest referee and b*tch that he was fouled (in the meantime, 9 other players are at the other end of the floor continuing to play.)

Marvin Williams has zero toughness. He loses control of the ball on most drives to the basket. If he doesn't, he typically just falls down. I've also noticed this year that when he skies high to grab a rebound, one of the many results is (a) fall down or (b) lose the ball trying to clutch it with two hands.

Jamal Crawford is strictly a "streak shooter." He can only score in bunches. The problem is when he's off, he still SHOOTS in bunches.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, but let's recap the key personalities of this team. You have a coach that the players stopped listening to. You have your 4-time All Star that is a borderline mute. You have an unbelievably athletic power forward who isn't disciplined and has the maturity of a high school player. A clumsy small forward and a 6th man who hasn't passed the ball since Bush was in office.

Is this really who Hawks fan want to hitch their wagon to for the next few years? This is the cast of characters we are relying on to beat the elite, well coached, disciplined teams in the East. I say no. I say, it's time.

GAME ONE - HAWKS SHOULD BE EMBARRASSED!

The Hawks quit halfway through the 2nd quarter. To be down by 40 points to ANY FREAKIN' team in the NBA is an absolute JOKE! Let alone in the playoffs, where you are one of the final 8 teams standing. There should not be this big of a disparity between any two teams. I absolutely don't understand what happens to this team on the road in the playoffs!

The only constant I can think of is the coach. Mike Woodson should take full responsibility for this horrible showing. When you lose one road game in a series by 20+ points, that's understandable, but when it happens multiple games, every year, in every series -- that's a pattern! Someone isn't getting guys mentally focused. Someone isn't getting guys fired up. Someone isn't motivating guys when things start to go south. That someone spends most of his time sulking on the bench with his hand on his cheek -- Mike Woodson. I won't lose any sleep if he's not back with the Hawks next year.

As for the players:

Joe Johnson has no clue how to take command of a struggling team. He doesn't ask for the ball. He walks around emotionless. Zero leadership. I got news for Hawks fans or the next franchise that takes their checkbook out for Joe -- YOU CAN'T TEACH LEADERSHIP.

Al Horford can look so pedestrian at times. There is something awkward about the way he moves with the ball. He puts his head straight down and dribbles like a 3rd grader as he tries to back his way towards the rim.

Marvin Williams is flat out the most uncoordinated, nonathletic forward in the NBA. I've never seen a guy fall down so many times under the rim. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside to know that we gave him $37 million over the next 5 years.

Mike Bibby hits his first shot of every game. After that, he immediately starts looking like a 32 year old point guard.

Jamal Crawford is still shooting....he is the poster child for the expressing, "shoot yourself out of a slump."

The problem with this ungodly blowout is Orlando sent a message loud and clear -- YOU AIN'T READY. YOU'RE NOT AT OUR LEVEL, AND DON'T THINK FOR ONE SECOND YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE THIS A SERIES.

Midway through the 3rd quarter I started feeling bad for TNT...they could have been showing reruns of 'Law & Order'.

I said in my blog early Tuesday morning that the tone of this series, the effort displayed in this series would decide the fate of this franchise. If Game One is any indication -- I expect the Hawks to take 5 steps backward next season.

One Series May Decide The Fate of a Franchise

For the past three seasons the Atlanta Hawks have increased their regular season win-total and secured themselves a spot in the NBA playoffs. For the second year in a row they advanced to the conference semi-finals. Last year this Hawks team looked like they were satisfied just getting out of the first round. The Cleveland Cavaliers swept them out so fast of the 2nd round it hardly felt like they got there. However, if we are to believe in the progression this franchise has shown each year, I ask you this: what should we expect now?

One could argue that how competitive this Hawks team is in this series vs. Orlando will decide the fate of this franchise for the next few years. Head coach Mike Woodson is playing without a contract. Reluctant star Joe Johnson is a free agent this summer. Jamal Crawford is only here for one more season. The Hawks, who looked out matched during the regular season vs. Orlando, must make this series competitive. If the Hawks bow out 4-1 or even worse, get swept 4-0, what will occur? What has to happen? What needs to happen? Does the Atlanta Spirit offer Woodson a new contract? Do they offer a Joe a max contract? My guess is (a) Woodson is gone and (b) the Atlanta Spirit offer Joe a sizable contract but not a maximum deal. They will then let some other franchise get suckered into putting superstar money into a player that will give them a pretty average return on their investment.

What happens if the Hawks stretch this series to 7 games, but lose? Does Woodson deserve a new lease on life? Will Joe head into the summer feeling good about the state of this franchise? My guess is (a) Woodson is offered a 3-year contract extension...if he wants it. However, another opportunity may come his way, perhaps in Philadelphia where his mentor Larry Brown may take the job as team president, and (b) the Atlanta Spirit offer Joe a sizable contract but not a maximum deal. They will then let some other franchise get suckered into putting superstar money into a player that will give them a pretty mediocre return on their investment. Sound familiar?

Bottom line, for this franchise to stabilize it's future, it almost has to win this series. A trip to the Eastern Conference Finals transforms the Hawks from good to great. You become a destination spot for free agents who believe they could be the missing piece to get this team over that final hurdle.

Fate is described as an inevitable course of events. Tonight those events begin. The Hawks futures rests on it...

I Admit It: I'm A Draft Dodger

The NFL Draft is tonight. Each year ESPN racks their brain on how to make this event bigger than the final episode of Seinfeld. This year they have decided it deserves to be on primetime during the work week when everyone is at home. That seems rather ironic since the degenerates who watch all 200 rounds are always home because they don't have a job (unless you count 'G.M. of their fantasy football team' work).

Simply put, the NFL draft is intriguing for round one, and even that can be exhausting for many fans. The time between picks are too long and if your team picks, let's say 19th, you will be waiting longer than a RedSox/Yankee game to see their selection.

Tonight I will have the draft on a secondary television in my house with the volume down. That's perfect for me. I can keep an eye on the ticker as each selection is made. What I don't need is the paralysis through analysis in Round Three when the Pittsburgh Steelers select a defensive end from Arkansas State. I don't need to here Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. use words like "upside" and "graded out well in Indianapolis." I want to see who my teams (Falcons and Packers) select early and where guys from my college (U.S.C.) end up. The best way to accomplish that is probably by looking up the results online the next morning.

I noticed this morning that NFL.com has a mock draft through round three. Really? What poor soul had to come up with selection predictions for picks 65 through 98? And how does he know the Dallas Cowboys really need Ed Wang, OT from Virginia Tech with the 90th pick? If he gets it wrong is his credibility destroyed? If he gets it right will anyone care?

I'm ready for tonight's draft to be over with. I know, it will continue on over the next few days through seven rounds. I hope most of you throw in the flag by Friday. If you are still watching and they don't have highlight packages of the selections being made --- you've been watching way too long!

So here's to tonight! Roger Goodell will be reading names off a post card. I can't wait!

Just as Stress-Phil for This Master

For most of his career he took a back seat to Tiger Woods. For most of his career he had the pressure to be his rival. Phil Mickelson doesn't need any added pressure thank you. After winning his third green jacket this past Sunday, Phil Mickelson showed that he isn't the only one on tour that can deliver in the clutch while managing off the course distractions.

"Distractions." Probably doesn't do Phil's level of stress any justice. While Tiger Woods may be dealing with sex addiction rehab, Phil Mickelson is dealing with a wife and mother stricken by cancer. Sex Rehab....Cancer. Game Over - Phil Wins. Not even close. Anyone that has been touched either directly or indirectly with a family member by cancer knows what type of impact it can have on one's psyche. There are many a sleepless nights. There is a lot of crying alone, while trying to remain strong for the loved one dealing with this illness. It takes a strong heart and a steady mind just to keep it all together. (I've been there - as I lost my mother to breast cancer 7 years ago)

Tiger didn't have his wife Elin in Augusta this week. I'm guessing that was a mutual decision or they couldn't get a hotel room with two double beds. Phil encouraged his wife to join him this week in Augusta, however, she spent most of her time laying in bed. Everytime Phil finished off an impressive round, feeling good about himself, 'cancer' would bring him right back down to earth. To wake up each day beside your wife who is battling a horrible illness and to clear your mind to go play 18 in the biggest tournament of the year -- that is stressful! Worrying about some obnoxious 'patron' lobbing a distasteful sex joke in your direction....not so much.

Tiger grabbed all the headlines this week as the entire sports world was curiously awaiting to see how this fiesty champion would perform at Augusta National. We all wondered how Tiger Woods could even focus on golf this soon, fresh out of rehab, awkward press conferences and continuous quotes from a variety of misstresses. These are problems Tiger Woods created himself. Phil Mickelson didn't ask for cancer to strike his wife and mother.

Phil Mickelson's ability to overcome his distractions off the course was as Masterful as anything he did on it this week. All due respect to Tiger, that takes a backseat to no one, no more.

Final Four Set - Will You Be Satisfied?

Well, we have our Final Four in college basketball. We got to this point by holding an annual 64 team tournament....a playoff, if you will. It wasn't created by a computer system based on quality wins and losses and strength of schedule. Yet why do I feel like last years college football season got it more right than this years college basketball Final Four?

At the end of the college football season, there are probably five teams that could all argue they had "the best year." The BCS system at least gives us arguably two of those top five teams in the national championship game. That's guaranteed every year. Sure, we may not be happy with the final two in the title game, but it's usually not too far off (like last season: we got Texas vs. Alabama).

When the regular college basketball season ended, if you were asked, "who are the best four teams in college basketball right now?" - how would you answer? Kansas, Kentucky, Syracuse, Ohio State? You might throw in a team like Kansas State. What's the Final Four this year? Butler, Michigan State, West Virginia and Duke. Satisfied?

I know it's semantics, but one system gives us a "tournament champion" and the other system give us "the best team that season." If Duke basketball wins this tournament, they will have accomplished it by defeating: Arkansas-Pine Bluff, California, Purdue, Baylor, West Virginia and either Michigan State or Butler. Remember that list of the best teams this season in college basketball (Kansas, Kentucky, Syracuse, Ohio State)? Duke didn't have to play any of those teams. Now, I understand, that's not Duke's fault and if those teams were really "the best", why didn't they get in the way of Duke's path? But my point is, we aren't guaranteed anything with the March Madness tournament. We aren't guaranteed that the top teams will meet in a 4 team playoff. In college football we are closer.

So next Monday night one team will be cutting down the nets. It could be Butler. What it won't be is "the best team in America."

One and Done Is No Favor To Anyone

He arrived at Georgia Tech with a ton of hype and fanfare. He will leave Georgia Tech without a shining moment. Derrick Favors' potential last game as a Yellow Jacket will be remembered for his first half foul trouble and frustration to get into a groove vs. Ohio State. Or will we remember any of it?

Favors was Mr. Everything in high school. He was the MVP in the McDonald's All American game and the Jordan Brand Classic. When Paul Hewitt landed this prize recruit, Georgia Tech fans saw endless possibilities for the upcoming season. 'Possibilities' should mean being an elite team in a pretty mediocre ACC conference and landing a top 5 seed in the field of 64 tournament. Once invited, you hope to advance a few rounds and make some noise. Let the Derrick Favors Era Begin! Yeah baby!

And.......era over. Boy, that was fast. Sure the dream you had of landing one of the top high school players in the country was real. The execution and accomplishments shortly thereafter was more like a nightmare.

Elite in the ACC? How does finishing in 7th place with a 7-9 record sound? NCAA Tournament seeding? Let's try a 10 seed on for size. Advancement? One single win and a fizzle in the round of 32. There is nothing sweet or elite about that.

Throughout this season, Favors showed flashes of why he would have been a first round draft pick right out of high school. Flashes wasn't enough for Georgia Tech fans. Consistency always trumps flashes -- ask John Wall or Evan Turner. Favors now has one season of college basketball under his belt and his first round draft status probably remains unchanged. Sadly, that is going to cost Georgia Tech. More than likely, Favors will leave school and enter the NBA draft.

And so the Favors era comes to an end....and what an era it was! Who could ever forget that loss in Athens vs Georgia where Favors had 8 points and 8 rebounds. Or how about that huge win in Chapel Hill vs. a really bad North Carolina team where Favors had 7 points and 4 rebounds? Finally, how about his last game! Going out with a bang! 24 minutes, 10 points! Memories I'll cherish for at least the rest of this afternoon.

So all this begs the question: if your Paul Hewitt, do you continue to go after these one-and-done NBA prospects? Has the reward been worth the risk? Is winning one game in the NCAA tournament really considered a reward? Since Hewitt starting recruiting and landing kids like Favors, Thaddeus Young and Javaris Crittenton, he hasn't had much post season success. Maybe he should take a closer look at his 2004 roster, which made it all the way to national championship game. That team consisted of upper classmen like BJ Elder, Ismail Muhammad, Will Bynum and Luke Schenscher. That team built an 'era.' This year's team, along with Derrick Favors, is already a distant memory.

For One Afternoon...

For about three hours this past Sunday afternoon it mattered. We cared. We hated. Team USA vs. Team Canada in the gold medal hockey game captivated a small portion of our nation. For those three hours we had a chance to hate our harmless neighbors to the North.

Hate Canada? That just doesn't sound right. In fact, it's not that easy to do. Aside from those three hours yesterday, why would we ever hate Canada? Because they have different bacon then we do? Because they have Steve Nash and we have........Nash Bridges?? Wasn't Canada the place Americans fled to when they wanted to avoid the draft during Vietnam?

Watching the gold medal game Sunday afternoon was more about cheering for the underdog, Team USA, then it was shouting at my television, "Canada sucks!" Had Team USA played Russia or heck, even France, perhaps our blood pressure would have been a little higher. Imagine the story lines had we faced off with the old Soviet Union on the 30 year anniversary of the Miracle on Ice. Now that's a game worth throwing the remote around the house over. As for France, well, I'm not even sure they are relevant in hockey. All the great hockey players with French names are apparently from Quebec.

Sure we missed an opportunity to have bragging rights for the next four years, but who really cares. How often do you run into a Canadian anyways? I say let them have hockey. We've got our football, basketball, baseball and really, really good bacon!

Thunderous Superstar in the Making

If you aren't paying attention, you better start. If you don't watch his team, you should. His name is Kevin Durant and his Oklahoma City Thunder have won NINE games in a row. How good is Kevin Durant? How does 28 consecutive games of scoring at least 25+ points sound? That's already second in NBA history to some guy named Jordan.

He's listed at 230 pounds. Rrrrright, and I was offered the back page column from Sports Illustrated when Rick Reilly left. Durant is wirery and crafty. He's long and smooth. To watch him play, you can't help but be amazed at his effortless ability to drill the three and drive the lane. He's averaging almost 30 points per game and 7.5 rebounds. You can't have MVP conversations this year without his name coming up.

If you are David Stern, here is your problem. This budding superstar is playing in the smallest market in the NBA. It was no surprise at the start of this season, the Oklahoma City Thunder exercised the 4th year option on his contract. The Thunder can offer him a max contract of $80 million. Before you think Durant's camp of marketers and advisers tell him to get outta town as soon as his contract allows him to, keep this in mind: his supporting cast is young and talented. With guys like Russell Westbrook, Jeff Green and James Harden, the Thunder and Durant have reason to believe the future is here and now.

Sure Durant has a $60 million endorsement deal with Nike, but aside from that, Madison Avenue isn't exactly clamoring to sign a player who resides in Oklahoma City. So does he roll the dice and leave the Thunder's solid foundation for a bigger, sexier city where marketers may come calling? Durant will probably pay attention to this summer's free agency class. LeBron James might just be the blueprint he is looking for. Will LeBron leave small market Cleveland for the bright lights of a major market like New York City? If so, what will his supporting cast look like? What will the expectations be?

For now, Durant is quietly dominating and winning in Oklahoma City. If this trend continues, the thunder will be so loud, the rest of America will have to pay attention.

Hidden Tiger Makes an Appearance

Tiger Woods is the most visible athlete in the world, yet for the past few months, we've probably seen more footage of where Osama Bin Laden is hiding out. Tiger Woods has decided now is the time to make an appearance. Tiger Woods has decided now is the time to clear the air. Tiger Woods has decided The Masters is less than 2 months away, and he needs to get somethings off his chest.

However, the way he is going about this much anticipated 'press conference' (I used that term loosely, since it's not really open to the press) is quite the head scratcher. Tiger is going to speak in front of a "small group of friends, colleagues and close associates", according to his agent Mark Steinberg. That sounds more like lunch than a press conference.

As for the few media members allowed to cover this event, well they get to be sequesters a mile away in the Sawgrass Marriott, where they will watch on closed circuit television. Huh? This reminds of going to an overly crowded temple for Yom Kippur services and being sent to the all-purpose room downstairs to watch the rabbi on television. If you are a media member, are you really flying down to Orlando to sit in a Marriott to watch something that will be readily available on ESPNews and U-Stream.

All this begs the question, who are Tiger Wood's advisers and why do they still have jobs? From day one, this entire story has been mishandled. It started out with a lie by Tiger as to what really happened that night. When you are Tiger Woods and you get chased out of your house with a 9-iron and crash your car into a tree, wouldn't your first call be to one of your advisers to say, "I think I just screwed up. How should I handle this?" Apparently the advice he received was to post statements on his own website. Not good enough.

He went "underground" for the next three months. Aside from an alleged photo at a sex rehab clinic in Mississippi, we didn't hear or see Tiger Woods. There is an old saying in my line of work (commercial real estate), "time kills deals." Well, in this case, time breeds questions. For three months Tiger has allowed too many questions be asked and too many cocktail waitresses to speak up. He had the chance to get in front of this story from day one (see David Letterman). He could have called a press conference within a week of the incident and asked for forgiveness and layout his plan to restore his image.

So here we are, three months later. What's left to say? "The sex clinic food was awful. Did 'Lefty' even win a tourny while I was gone?"

I understand this is all a personal matter and he really doesn't have to say anything. However, when you are in the public spotlight and you have created a brand for yourself, its pretty much your obligation to come forward to announce changes are coming (see Toyota).

Tiger will want to focus on the future. He will tell us what's next. Sure, there will be questions that need to be asked about his past escapades, his relationship with his wife, but those questions will only be asked amongst a small group of reporters tucked away, a mile down the road, hidden at the Marriott. I guess that seems appropriate, since those reporters will be covering a man who spent much of his private life tucked away, hidden at a hotel, where not many questions were asked.