I figured Auburn, coming out of the SEC, would have no trouble handling the Pac-10 Champion Ducks.  After all, who did Oregon play? USC? Washington? Washington State? Oregon State?  Their most notable games were against Stanford (which was a great 52-31 come-from-behind victory against another ranked opponent) and California (a game they should have lost, but squeaked by with a 15-13 win thanks Cal’s inability to make field goals), so who would have guessed they would be able to go toe-to-toe with the SEC Champions? Clearly, not me.

"We playin Oregon?!? Who care about them? Let me finish signing this check, I mean autograph, and then we'll talk about it."

If there was a chance for Oregon to win, it would have to be because of Auburn’s defense; to see if they could hang with Oregon’s no-huddle offense.  They did, and I knew they would.  Oregon’s RB LaMichael James carried the offense all season long, but when facing a defense like Auburn’s, he simply could not.  James’ offense line couldn’t make any holes for him, and the Auburn defense was too fast for him to beat to the corner.  The Heisman candidate could only rack up 49 yards on 13 carries.  His counterpart, a speedy Kenjon Barner, wasn’t much help either; he only ran for 32 yards off 13 carries.  The Ducks’ vaunted rushing attack was just not there, tallying up only 75 total yards all game.  Auburn’s defensive line, particularly DT Nick Fairley, was just too much to handle.

Despite Fairley’s dirty, yet effective play, the Duck’s did manage to make some plays in the passing game – which is why this game was so close.  Oregon exposed a weak Auburn secondary which allowed QB Darren Thomas to throw for 363 yards and two touchdowns.  The problem came when Oregon had to finish drives.  On three different occasions (one of which cost the Ducks the game) their drives stalled inside the five yard line: when Oregon was out of real estate, when there was no room to spread the Auburn defense out with, when it was no gimmicks, just power football…Oregon failed.

All the hype was about Cam Newton, but the National Championship belonged to his kid.

The Ducks offense had successfully tired out the Tigers defense on several different occasions, but ran into a one big issue every time: Auburn’s depth.  Just when Oregon seemed to have Auburn on the ropes, out come the refreshed and refocused starters to force the Ducks drive to a screeching halt.  In the end, depth would be the issue.  As the final quarter unfolded, it was Oregon’s defense that couldn’t handle the fast-pace Auburn offense.  The Ducks’ defense looked sloppy, fatigued, and confused as they allowed 519 yards of total offense, 254 of it on the ground.

Don’t get me wrong, the defense played great, but in the end they simply ran out of gas.  Despite LB Casey Matthews single-handedly getting his team back in it by causing a fumble (that resulted in an Oregon TD) late in the game, the Ducks had nothing left.  A spent Oregon defense trotted out on the field and allowed RB Michael Dyer to break a confusing 37-yard run.  Dyer was tackled, but not quite.  He never touched the ground and when he popped back up, Oregon’s defense seemed to be the only ones that didn’t notice the whistle was never blown.

Dyer’s run set up the game-winning field goal, but, if there is such a thing, Oregon lost in impressive fashion.  They had the speed, the size, and the talent to win, but Auburn is an SEC team and SEC teams have speed, size, talent, and DEPTH.  That game was a credit to how good a coach Oregon’s Chip Kelly truly is.  His knowledge of the game, his heart, his determination, and his guts were all personified in the actions of every Oregon player that night.  This was a team that had no business giving Auburn that much of a fight, and they did anyway.  Sure Oregon’s offense was just as good if not better, but again, who do they play?  Auburn had its mettle tested against South Carolina (twice), Arkansas, Florida, and Alabama.  Oregon was tested against Stanford; a team that built a lead but didn’t have the defensive depth to keep it against that potent Oregon offense.

"You ain't seen the last of us, I promise you that."

In the end, the Auburn Tigers won a heck of National Championship game, but Kelly’s squad won some prestige in that game.  Next year Fairley will enter the draft, Newton will follow suit and look to get paid (again) in the NFL, and Auburn will return to mediocrity, but the Ducks will only get stronger from this game.  If Chip Kelly plays his cards right (and something tells me he will), the Ducks will be playing in a lot more of these games – the only question is how many times will they be hoisting that crystal football in the end?

The season went on, and the guy Cliff Lee was traded for (you might have heard of him before, Roy Halladay) quickly made us forget about that heart-break. However, questions about the team (particularly about pitching) still remained, and Cliff was always in the back of our minds.  I think Ruben sensed this, he sensed he might have made a mistake – so he made up for it.

"I'm not sure why I had to leave in the first place, but who cares? I'm back now!"

Amaro Jr. dealt J.A. Happ (and some minor-leaguers) for veteran ace pitcher Roy Oswalt.  Amaro Jr. made amends.  He put a band-aid on the cut in Philadelphia’s preverbal heart and everything seemed to be right again.  The trifecta of H20 was born.  With Halladay, Oswalt, and Cole Hamels, the Phillies rotation seemed unstoppable…until the playoffs.  Our three horses that carried us all season long suddenly looked human again, and our batting lineup looked non-existent.  The whole team seemed to be in a mega-slump, all at once, and the season ended before we knew what happened.

The offseason began with the abrupt, yet predictable, departure of Jayson Werth – who decided big money with the Washington Nationals was a better fit for him (and you can’t blame the guy, he isn’t worth the seven-year $126 million contract he got, but it was offered, so he took it).  The 2011 season looked grim before it even started with no right-handed bats, questions about the bullpen, and big name players (like Lee, Adam Dunn, Carl Crawford, and Adrian Gonzalez) moving all around the league.

With the Red Sox getting Crawford and Gonzalez, the White Sox getting Adam Dunn, and the Yankees throwing mountains of cash at Cliff Lee, it appeared the Phillies wouldn’t be making any waves in the free agent pool.  Then Amaro Jr. cannon-balled in, just like an older version of Hamilton “Ham” Porter, splashing the Yankees, Rangers, and Nationals right out of the water.  Amaro Jr. somehow managed to get Cliff Lee to come back to Philly, a feat no one thought was possible.  That clever S.O.B. quietly struck up a deal with Lee (while the Yankees and Rangers were in a bidding war) that only cost the team $120 million over five years.

Apparently, Lee loved it here and never wanted to leave in the first place.  He enjoyed his time here so much, that he was willing to give us a little bit of a break on the deal – leaving $30 million on the table at New York and Texas.  How often do you hear that from a pro athlete about playing in Philadelphia?  It’s a real credit to both of these men, and they deserve some recognition for reasons other than their efforts on the field or in the office.

"I'm sorry about all this Cliff...but hey, at least we didn't spit on your wife."

Lee gets commended for showing a love of the game, not the almighty dollar.  In sports today, too often players abuse free agency and abuse the system to get the maximum amount of money – often at the cost of success.  Lee did the exact opposite.  The guy chose less money with a team that could win now, a team that would be much better with his talents, and a team in a city that he and his family truly wanted to live in.  It’s not all about the money with this guy, it’s about winning – and that’s a rarity in modern-day professional sports.

And then Ruben.  Oh Ruben.  Ruben was like a dad who sold a kid’s favorite toy for what he thought was a much better toy.  Then realized he underestimated his kid’s feelings for the toy, felt bad, and got the kid a similar toy to help him cope.  Finally, just to make sure there were no hard feelings, he went out and recaptured the original toy.  So I ask, how happy are we with our new toys?

You have to admit, even though the guy might not have done it on purpose, it sure looks like he knew what he was doing.  We went from a Phillies team with Lee, Hamels, J.A. Happ, Jamie Moyer, and Kyle Kendrick, to a team with Halladay, Lee, Oswalt, Hamels, and then whoever we feel like pitching that fifth day.  We can pull fans out of the stands, or give the homeless a shot in return for a warm meal and hot shower – I mean who cares, the rotation is now stacked.

On paper, Amaro Jr. has assembled one of the greatest staffs ever; especially considering that rumors are our fifth starter might be Pedro Martinez.  The Phillies now have a three and four pitcher who are better than some teams one and twos – it’s almost like Amaro Jr. turned on “trades” in a video game, and just built the perfect staff…although it’s better because it’s real life.

It's like a dream come true...

For the naysayers, I know it’s early, and the baseball season is a long and tough one, and anything can happen – but come on, even Mets fans have to agree, we are now an elite team.  Just picture how good this squad will be when the bats come alive?  April can’t come quickly enough right now for the city of Philadelphia.  The Philadelphia Eagles are tied for the division with the New York Giants, playing them this week, and all anybody could talk about was “The Return of Cliff Lee.”  I am just glad he is finally back home, where he belongs.

As for you Ruben Amaro Jr., we officially forgive you, for everything…job well done, sir.  Now get Philadelphia another championship!

The opening weekend of college football should be about showcase games and upsets – not scandals.  This past weekend about 146 big name athletes sat out of games because of suspensions or the fear or ineligibility (which would mean if they played in those games and their team won, they would not count).

North Carolina stole the show, traveling to the Georgia Dome for their season-opener against LSU without 12 players.  The combination of starters and bench players were held out due to either academic misconduct or a violation of team rules.  While I don’t get how you need to cheat at the Division 1AA level (just get someone to tutor you…or do it for you), at least I can almost reason with the idea that young kids are in trouble with team rules or cheating.

"Here you go kids, I signed some pictures for you guys. Now where are your parents? I'm trying to sell this jersey and hat and get paid."

That being said, we move on to Georgia and A.J. Green.  The Bulldawgs star receiver (and maybe the best in college football this season) missed a game because of fear of ineligibility – which turned out to be the right decision since Green just got suspended for three additional games.

The junior All-American decided it would be a good idea, and not a violation of NCAA rules in any way, to sell a jersey that he wore in last season’s Independence Bowl for a cool $1,000 (life changing money, I know).  As if that isn’t enough, he sold it to an NFL agent! How did none of this seem wrong to him?  I can’t wrap my head around this one.  What goes through your mind as you come to a decision like this?

First, he is a junior so he is probably headed to the NFL, if he wants, at the end of the year to make boatloads of cash.  Second, I am sure he is receiving an allowance from his scholarship, on top of tons of money that the NCAA doesn’t know about from his boosters – so try the “he needed the money for something” excuse.  Most importantly though, after all the other players in trouble for talking with agents of NFL personal (Dez Bryant just last season), why would you even put yourself in that situation?  Just wait another four months and you can have agent parties at your house.

He isn’t the only moron though; the SEC is filled with them.  Alabama’s defensive end Marcell Dareus was declared ineligible for two games for accepting nearly $2,000 in “benefit money” during two trips to Miami.  Then there is South Carolina, currently awaiting an NCAA ruling on the eligibility of two players: starting offensive tackle Jarriel King and starting cornerback Chris Culliver for similar offenses.

"Are you telling me my college career didn't count? Who cares!?! I lived it and it got me drafted to a Super Bowl Champion team. Sanction USC all you want, just don't take my Heisman from me."

Even more confusing to me is that all this is coming right after the USC/Reggie Bush scandal.  Doesn’t that serve as a warning for these kids; no matter how much you think you can get away with it, they will get you – even if it’s years later.

Bush is now going to lose his Heisman Trophy, while USC loses scholarships, bowl appearances, and one of the best head coaches/recruiters in Pete Carroll.

Carroll ran away to Seattle because of these impending sanctions, while Bush could be the first ever player to have his Heisman stripped from him.  Sure neither Bush, nor Carroll care about it now (they hid safely from that explosion), and have plenty of fame and money and this can’t hurt them – but what about the school?  Is betraying the school that gave you everything, and has the potential to give other young kids everything worth $1,000 for your jersey?

"Dammit! Now my baseball, and UFC, careers are ruined."

The New York Mets closer blew off some steam after a loss to the Rockies by grabbing his girlfriend’s father by the shirt, dragging him into the hallway of the “Family Lounge” in Citi Field, and whaling on him until security broke it up.  K-Rod was charged with third-degree assault and suspended by the team. As if that weren’t bad enough, he hurt himself while dishing out the beating, and is done for the year.

The torn ligament in this thumb resulted in him being put on the disqualified list for the rest of the season, and the Mets are now trying to get as much money back from him as they can.  Guess we won’t be seeing him jumping around and celebrating like he just won the World Series every time he closes a game out again.

Next up: Houston Texans reigning AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Brian Cushing has finally been suspended for his steroid use.  Cushing, who won the aforementioned award despite being accused of using roids, tried to defend himself by saying the positive test results were a result of “Overtrained Athlete Syndrome.”  For those who aren’t familiar with OTS, it is a made up disease that – according to Cushing – results from athletes training intensely for a long period, with the possibility of a testosterone imbalance resulting when an athlete stops training.

Nope. No sign of steroid use here. Just an average guy who works too hard.

Nice try, Cush.  You just came off the best season of your entire career (odd that finally happened at the NFL level and not in college), you now have a box-head and no neck, and you have a jawline like Dolph Lundgren – just admit it, this way you don’t end up like Roger Clemens.

And finally, Tony Dungy.  I loved Tony Dungy as a coach.  Great football mind, first African American head coach to win a Super Bowl, and just great with players.  However, Tony Dungy as a mentor…eh, not so much.

First Dungy was disturbed with the Terrell Owens/Desperate Housewives promo, claiming it was demeaning and had racial undertones.  Huh!?! I guess maybe he saw a different commercial than the rest of the world.  Then he backed Philadelphia Eagles QB Mike Vick when he was trying to get re-instated for killing dogs and gambling.  That move really panned out for him when a year later when Vick hosted a “secret” (yet public) 30th birthday party.  At some point during the evening an ol’ pal of Vick’s who “snitched” on him about killing dogs showed up, so Vick had one of his entourage empty shoot him…allegedly.  However, Dungy rushed to his side again, claiming that this was just a bump on the road for Vick, who is on a “straight path” now and won’t have stuff like that happen again.  I bet.

Now he has spoken about New York Jets coach Rex Ryan (who I’m pretty sure everyone loves, if for no other reason than to laugh at him).  Apparently after watching an episode of the HBO series “Hard Knocks” featuring Ryan’s Jets, Dungy decided Ryan curses too much:

“If I were in charge, I wouldn’t hire somebody like that.  I don’t think our young people need to hear that that’s the way it’s done to be successful.  Because it doesn’t have to be that way.”

Now you’ve gone too far, Dungy.  First, the type of kids that would be impressionable to something like this shouldn’t be watching HBO.  Secondly, I think there are far worse things than profanity, sex, and violence that can corrupt our youth.  The guy has been successful so far, he is talking to his players on his team at his camp.  He doesn’t have to curse like that, but he does and that’s the way it is.  He shouldn’t be fined or corrected for using adult language while talking to adults.

"Physical harm is fine, it's cursing that really ruins the youth of America. These kids see pro athletes gamble on dog fights and beat each other up at training camp and thats fine, but hearing a coach curse...that's the real problem."

So Dungy, take it easy big guy.  Nobody criticized you when you decided to fill the void in your life left by the tragic loss of your son by coming to the aide of every “wayward” African American athlete, so relax.  I am sure that Rex Ryan is the devil for cursing, but Mike Vick stealing animals out of people’s backyards and making them fight to the death is just really misunderstood.

Maybe Dungy will take Tennessee Titans running back LeGarrette Blount under his wing next.  Blount was famous for missing almost all of his senior season at Oregon when he punched an opposing player in the face during the post game festivities, following a loss to Boise State.  Blount read the “sincere” apology that was written for him, and swore he was changed man.  So what did he do when he got a second chance and was drafted by the Titans?

You guessed it.  He punched a teammate in the face at training camp.  Apparently Blount was getting his helmet ripped off by the defense while running plays at practice.  So Blount did what any self-respecting man would do…he punched defensive end Eric Bakhtiari in the face (or helmet, since he still had his on – click here).  Now I know it is training camp, and this stuff happens, but wouldn’t you think if you were Blount and had that history you’d be avoiding instances where you had to “keep it real” and throw punches?  But, if we follow the teaching of Tony Dungy, it’s clear that Blount doesn’t curse, so no matter how much physical harm he causes to other human beings, he’s still a better man than Rex Ryan.

"I might retire, I might not - but either way it's fun for me to watch you guys speculate all offseason long."

That right there should have been a dead giveaway, “according to sources.”  Look, if this was Tom Brady, or Terrell Owens, or even someone like Edgerrin James (you know, a player who you haven’t heard of for so long you think they’ve retired, but really they are still playing), I could see this being a story.  Sources close to them would know.  However, sources close to Favre (teammates, his wife, his barber, his 3rd grade teacher, or whoever ESPN is using) have no idea, have never had any idea, and will never have an idea.  This is how Favre works and I thought we all knew that by now.

I love the guy, but let’s be realistic, he isn’t known for his decision-making.  Not only has he waffled about this decision for the past four-plus years, but – as everyone knows – he as even gone so far as to retire, and then unretire…twice.

With Brett Favre there should not be any stories, any speculation, any career-montages, any phone interviews with other players or former teammates, or any debates about what he is doing until he actually does it.  If September 9th rolls around and Brett isn’t in uniform standing on the Minnesota sidelines in the Superdome, then we can start the “retirement” coverage.  Come to think of it, let’s just wait until the 2010 season is over and he hasn’t played in a game to rule it official (and even then, we should still be a little uncertain).

I am just sick and tired of hearing about this.  There is no Brett Favre story until he doesn’t show up for the Vikings season-opener, then the ESPN NFL “Insider” can do his job, because he certainly dropped the ball on this one.

"We are getting word from Brett's mechanic that when he was informed about needing a new transmission, he replied by saying 'I don't know if it's worth it.' This could shed some light on his current situation with the Vikings, maybe his decision with his truck is foreshadowing for his decision about playing this year. That's right folks, you heard it here first - breaking news, Favre is retiring...probably."

Schefter apparently talked to some Vikings’ players who claimed they received a text message from No. 4 saying “This is it.”  That to me says nothing about retirement; if anything I would take it to mean he was coming back.  Look, unless Schefter just got to the “New World” of America, he should know that when you say the phrase “this is it” it normally means you are doing something one last time and then you’re done.  If you ask someone to give you a ride everyday and one day they say “this is it,” that doesn’t mean no – it means no more rides after this one.  You with me still, Adam?

So that whole 24-hour-breaking-news thing was for absolutely nothing.  The 947 phone interviews with analysts, former players and coaches, the 416 ESPN updates and alerts about it followed by fan reaction, all of it – was a waste of everyone’s time.  So is the addition of “Favre Watch” as a link on your website – unacceptable.  The division races in the MLB are starting to shape-up and get exciting, on top of 31 other teams that opened training camps and this is the story you shove in America’s face all day long? It’s just plain pathetic.

Favre came out the following day (a little late, I know) and denied the text messages and reached out to the Vikings, giving them a timetable for his return.  What that means is that I don’t want to hear about Brett Favre again until September 9th when the announcers are discussing how good the Vikings will be with him, or how bad they will be without him, in the 2010 season.

"Look, this has to stop. I am faking an injury now to get out of this, and if you guys keep it up, I'm going to start stomping skulls."

And while I’m on the subject, Albert Haynesworth failing a conditioning test is no longer a story.  The guy has either failed it with flying colors, or chose not to run it for the past week now.  I don’t need to see a headline that runs “Haynesworth fails 15th conditioning test.”  He’s fat and out of shape, we get it.  Unless he quits, gets seriously injured, passes the test, or dies on the field trying, it has ceased to be a good story to follow, OK? I hope this helps, ESPN – now give it a rest.

"Hey, I'm sorry about Cliff. I hope you understand why I did it...anyway, does that make up for it? Are we cool?"

The Phightin’s sent away young, stud-pitcher J.A. Happ (a runner-up for Rookie of the Year last season) and two prospects to the Astros for Houston ace Roy Oswalt (and some cash to help pay for Roy’s hefty contract).  While Amaro Jr. didn’t actually say it, this move might as well have been a public apology to Phillies fan who mourned the inexplicable loss of Cliff Lee.

Now first let me say I love the move – you did good, Rub.  It brings another team’s proven ace to be the Phillies number three pitcher in the rotation for almost nothing.  Not only that, but they managed to lock him up through next season (if they should pick up Oswalt’s option).  Happ is solid, don’t get me wrong, but I’d take Oswalt over him any day of the week – and the other two guys, outfielder Anthony Gose and shortstop Jonathan Villar, I have never heard of (so they can’t be that big of a deal to the Phillies).

Apparently the Astros agree since they have already traded Gose to the Blue Jays for first baseman Brett Wallace.  I just thought it was rather amusing that Amaro Jr. would give up prospects to get Cliff Lee, and then give up even more prospects to get Roy Halladay (great move).  Then turn around and trade Lee to get back some prospects, only to trade more prospects to get Roy Oswalt.  I just think he should come right out at the press conference and say “Hey, Phillies fans, I know I made a mistake, does this make up for it?” and shake Oswalt’s hand while he hands him a uniform.

"God...I gotta get outta Houston, I can't take this anymore."

I will give him this though, the whole time he has been wheelin’-and-dealin’ players and prospects like baseball cards, he never gave up outfielder Domonic Brown – and after watching his debut the other night against the D’backs (2-3 with 2 RBI and 2 R), I can clearly see why.  Smart decision.

Now, how about we discuss some wrong decisions?  Redskin’s D-Tackle/D-End/Pudgy-Cry-Baby Albert Haynesworth finally decided it was time to come to camp and give this whole playing football thing another try.  New Redskins coach Mike Shanahan was happy to have him back, but just wanted to make sure he was prepared mentally and physically.  Haynesworth passed the mental test, agreeing to buy into the system as long as he would get a shot at playing the D-End position.  The physical test, however, well that was a different story.

The over-paid – and overweight – Haynesworth could only complete two parts of the three part fitness test (despite losing 40 lbs).  Players and coaches were treated to a display of Haynesworth’s physical prowess as he completed one of the 300-yard shuttle sprints, barely finished the second, and ended up walking the third.  Believe me, I understand how difficult that must have been – especially for a D-Lineman, but come on.  You’re a pro athlete, a pro football player; physical fitness is kind of required and should be pretty high on your “To-Do” list.

"You want to me run what!?! Nah, I can't do that right now - cut me a break, man." (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

The big fella’ was already in Shanahan’s dog-house for pretty much calling out the team and then not showing up to any voluntary workouts.  However, Shanahan was willing to give him a shot and put him with the backups, let him learn the new system, and then work his way up – if he could simply pass a fitness test.  It was tough, but he couldn’t.  I guess that’s what a seven-year, $100 million deal will do to you.  Why workout when you can simply dominate in Madden 2011, playing as yourself, while you lie on the bed eating Funyuns and drinking birch beer in one of the 19 bedrooms you have in one of your six houses?

"That guy is here to carry pads, not me. I'm Dez Bryant!" (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

I didn’t get this one at all.  Bryant was putting his foot down for rookies in every sport by not participating in such a vile and physically detrimental act?  Nope.  He just didn’t want to take part in something so little and shameless (and really harmless when compared to other teams and their rituals), because he is above that.  Most teams tape rookies to goal posts, shave heads, or make them fetch absurd food requests from distant lands.  Instead, all Bryant was forced to do was a chore.  Grow up, Dez.

Then I saw his comments about being pretty sure he was drafted to “catch passes, not carry pads.”  Oh, that’s right.  Just like when he was given a scholarship to play football at Oklahoma State…until his junior season when he got kicked out of college football.  I’m sure OK State understood then, and Roy Williams and the rest of your teammates (who don’t know or trust you yet) will understand now.

I don’t know who this guy thinks he is.  He has gone from a beast WR to just an idiot with talent (unproven at the NFL level).  I even considered the fact that maybe he saw Roy Williams as his competition and he didn’t want to carry his pads, as if it would give Roy some psychological edge or make the team think that Bryant wasn’t “keepin’ it real,” but it just doesn’t add up.  All you have to do is carry a veteran’s pads! C’mon Dez.  Williams did the same thing when he was a rookie, and some rookie will do it for you.  Bottom line, it’s still a teammate and apparently it’s tradition down there in Dallas, so shut up and carry the pads.

"Was that wrong? Should I not have done that? I tell you, I gotta plead ignorance on this thing, because if anyone had said anything to me at all when I first started here that that sort of thing is frowned upon...you know, cause I've worked for a lot of teams, and I tell you, people do that all the time."

And speaking of not thinking, good ol’ Lane Kiffin was back in the news this week.  The new USC coach decided that the best thing to do after being smacked in the face with NCAA suspensions and Bowl game sanctions was to go ahead and do something illegal…again.  Kiffin poached Titans RB coach Kennedy Pola from Tennessee by violating the terms of Pola’s contract.  Kiffin assumed that a clause requiring any organization receive written permission to discuss a job with Pola, meant just hire him and see what happens.  Kiffin didn’t even think a phone call was necessary.  I guess he is going to ride this job out until some other major college football program offers him a ridiculous amount of money for no apparent reason.

Apparently Titans head coach Jeff Fisher, a former Trojan and a diehard fan, and the Titans organization are filing a lawsuit against the school Fisher loves so much.  This just makes matters even worse for a scandal-ridden university and a coach who has nothing to show for his mega-contract, but the hiring of his much more successful father.

"Hello, yes, is this the OSU admissions office?"

Finally, I leave you with this.  Former college football star, and current idiot, Maurice Clarett is back at THE Ohio State.  After a little more than three years in prison, Clarett has been granted re-entry into OSU and plans to lay low this way he isn’t a “distraction or a nuisance” to the football team.  I bet.  How long do you think it is before he is trying to suit up again, hoping to win an appeal of the current college football rules about turning pro?  It worked out so well for him when he tried to make the rules “one and done” for college football athletes, then sat out a year (after losing that case), and came into Broncos camp looking like a slim D-tackle.  I’m pulling for him though, I certainly hope he graduates – what a real “feel good” story that would be.

"Come play on MY team guys! I have already won a championship."

So I guess my first problem would be that coverage for this started immediately after the Lakers defeated the Celtics in the championship.  Unless you lived in L.A., the analysis of the NBA free-agent period began during the Lakers locker-room celebration.  I mean I didn’t mind (I despise the Lakers), but I don’t need someone reporting on how LeBron James, D-Wade, and Chris Bosh are all friends or what they are doing every single minute of every single day.

For all those people who complain about the NFL Draft coverage: this puts that to shame.  ESPN had mock signings, former coaches breaking down how it would work if certain players went to certain teams, video game demonstrations of how successful those teams would be, former GMs showing how those teams would have to balance out their salaries, and fan-reactions if certain players were acquired by their beloved team.

Give me a break.  Finally the day came when these players actually could sign with a team, and the picture became a bit clearer.  Wade and Bosh are teaming up in Miami; Boozer is headed to the Bulls, and Stoudemire is on his way to the Knicks.  This was news; I didn’t have any problems with this being broadcast all over the sports nation.  However, I did find it a little odd that every player had to deal with the “Are you planning on reaching out to LeBron James?” question about two questions into their respective interviews.

Then came the real head-scratcher.   ESPN agreed to run a 3-hour SportsCenter edition including an hour-long segment at the end entitled “The Decision,” which would be dedicated to LBJ’s free-agent decision (at LeBron’s request, in the name of charity though…of course).  I never thought ESPN could top “Favre-Watch” (which aired every day, two years ago during the NFL off-season), but they found a way with this.

"Please don't make me have to play in Cleveland...PLEASE!"

Now, I understand that James came to ESPN with the idea and they jumped all over it (because that is what a sports station should do), but how in love with yourself do you have to be to plan an hour long segment on national TV for two or three words? And then give it a dramatic title too?  How much of an ego-stroke is it to have your free-agent signing decision scheduled?  Not like a mandatory signing-day or an announcement—a set time and place, and then turn it into a show.  I remember when Jordan decided to come back and he announced it by simply stating, “I’m back.”  Or, if you want to make an argument about how technology has changed the way the sports world is reported on, how about tweeting about it like Kevin Durant just did about his extension?  I know he knows all about Twitter (thanks to ESPN and its keen reporting skills alerting me that James recently opened a Twitter account).

Which brings me to my final point: when did LeBron get to the status that would warrant such coverage?  I know he is an NBA freak – arguably the best there is – but how many championships has “The Chosen One” racked up in the seven years he has been playing?  The guy is great, don’t get me wrong, but he has done nothing except prove he is an amazing individual.  He has no team accolades and the team is supposed to be what this is all about.

Not only that, but he has no real option that should warrant that sort of coverage.  If he decided to come to Miami and join Wade and Bosh, it was be ridiculous.  Three superstars uniting to achieve one goal: a championship.  However, he would always be remembered as the greatest basketball player ever who NEEDED other superstars to win a title.  Sure Jordan had Pippen, Rodman and the rest of that awesome team, but there was only one “Jordan” on that squad, not two.  New Jersey and New York (even with the recent addition of Stoudemire) both stink.  They have plenty of money, but zero talent and there are only so many free agents this season to choose from.  So they are both rebuilding projects and he would be entering the same situation – or worse – than he was walking away from in Cleveland.  If he goes with Boozer to Chicago, he will be LeBron in MJ’s town.  Even if he wins two or three titles, they aren’t taking that Jordan statue down and erecting one of “King James” (and yes, he is that vain to let that hinder his decision).

"I WANT YOU to help me win a championship!

Cleveland is his best bet.  They need to make some serious moves this year, and the next two or three, but they have the money to and if he wins there he can be a legend.  So in my opinion, this free-agency thing is a waste of time.  It doesn’t matter where LeBron goes because he won’t have a real shot unless he crosses his fingers and prays for help while staying in Cleveland.  The real story is Wade and Bosh joining forces (because they could easily dominate the East over the next few years), not LeBron and his “decision,” and it takes about 15 minutes to cover it, not two months.

Besides, if these guys really only cared about winning, why didn’t any of them show any interest in playing with Dwight Howard and the Magic?  You know those teams would have gladly re-worked their finances to lock-up one of them.  So please quit wasting my time with all this coverage and analysis over free-agency (especially with LeBron, at least until he wins one…if he ever does)—just feed me baseball highlights and wake me if the Sixers sign one of these guys.

"I can't wait to cash these checks...I mean play for the Redskins." (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

The Redskins responded by adjusting their defense to a 3-4 scheme – but Albert doesn’t like this either.  His new role as nose-tackle in a 3-4 defense is not as “glamorous” (if you can even use that word to describe a d-tackle) as his old role in Tennessee, where he was one of two d-tackles in a 4-3 defense.

Haynesworth was coming off one of his most unproductive years, and I assume was looking for something – or someone – to blame for that (not himself, of course).  He had 29 tackles, 8 assists, and only four sacks in 2009.  While in 2008 with the Titans, he racked up 41 tackles, 10 assists, and 8.5 sacks.  While the numbers aren’t that far off, it was his presence that was most notably missing.  In 2008 he was a poster-boy for the Titans’ defensive success; this past year he was considered a bust and one of many reasons for the Redskins’ dismal season.

Most teams would be pleased with the numbers Haynesworth put up in 2008 or 2009, except most teams aren’t the Redskins and did not sign him to a 7-year $100 million contract.  The team, under new management and leadership (in new GM Bruce Allen and new head coach Mike Shanahan), decided to offer Haynesworth a release from his contract as long as he paid them back $21 million in bonus money.  Haynesworth rejected that notion, and instead thought it was much more professional to just not come to mandatory minicamp and demand a trade.

"I was just trying to help him up! You throw that flag and you're next!"

There have been some rumors that the Redskins could be shipping him out to Minnesota or even New Orleans, but it is all speculation.  It’s hard to imagine a team that really needs him; especially for that price and the baggage he comes with.  Let us not forget that this sterling example of the word professional also stepped on Dallas’ center Andre Gurode’s face (click here in case you forgot about that) – but later claimed he wasn’t a dirty player.  Of course…clean, respectable players make the mistake of purposefully, physically harming opponents all the time.

He is supposedly going to attend training camp, but the damage is already done and I don’t see how it can work in Washington after he has divided his locker room with this little tantrum.  I don’t understand why he wouldn’t just accept the buyout and go elsewhere.  Sure he wouldn’t get as much, but he would be happier, probably have a better shot of winning, and would save some face.  I don’t know how many supporters he thinks he has with that contract he signed, but let me tell you this: if a team offered me that contract to have their QB warm-up by slinging footballs at my crotch before practices and games, I would sign it with a smile and be the first one in that building and the last one to leave.

"Yeah! OK guys, same time tomorrow for round two?"

First, the whole idea of spreading it out over three days in horrendous – it takes all the excitement out of Draft Day.  Teams don’t have to meet in “The War Room” and make snap decisions on who to take after the guy they wanted gets grabbed up by another team.  No more spur-of-the-moment trades that leave fans (Eagles) puzzled. With this new format, all a team has to do is make one pick (or two if they are really lucky/pathetic) and that’s it…the day is over.  They get a full 24 hours to reconsider what they want to do, negotiate potential trades, and eye-up new candidates.

Second, they picked the worst Draft Class to experiment with.  There are about two or three “Big Name” guys, and the most talked about players are a QB who missed his senior season and another who might as well not have had one.

Think about it.  What other Draft Class featured the “Best QB” and potential “First Overall Pick” as a guy who missed almost his entire senior season and is coming off shoulder surgery?  Nothing against Sam Bradford, and he could turn out to be great, but that is the best QB out there?  What does that say about all the other guys?  And Tim Tebow…that kid went from College Football Savior to NFL Joke inside three short months.  I wish him the best, but again, what does it say about the 2010 Draft Class if these two guys are headlining it?  I know there are other great athletes out there (Eric Berry, Ndamukong Suh, Dez Bryant, C.J. Spiller, etc.), but face it, none of them have received as much hype as Bradford and Tebow have all off-season.

"Thanks for all of your support - maybe I'll take off next season and see if I can win an NFL MVP award."

Finally, the attempt to oversell the Draft by NFL and ESPN is nauseating.  Never before has there been so many possible “Big Name” trades taking place during draft day.  They are convincing fans to watch all three days because you never know when Ben Roethlisberger might get traded, or the Redskins might sign T.O. and reunite him with Donovan McNabb, or all the rumors about every team, after the number 10 spot, trading up to get certain players.  That marketing genius was topped off by ESPN running the TOP 10 Best Late-Round Picks, while both anchors crow-barred in the “You better watch Saturday, who knows when the next Tom Brady will be drafted.”

"I hold a bunch of college football records...but none are as impressive as the record I hold for most stories aired about a throwing motion!"

Maybe it’s because this idea was a failure from the start, so they are doing whatever they can to sell it.  I am sure people will still watch it (I know I will), but now they are competing with the NHL and NBA Playoffs, as well as the MLB.  Going primetime might lose some fans considering that when it was on Saturday at noon, people had nothing else to watch but the first round.  Plus, do they really think anyone is going to watch the final rounds that Saturday?  Maybe a few diehards, but nowhere near as many people that would watch it in the old format, by default, simply because they were on that channel already.

I will still enjoy it, and I know most people will – but my point is, if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.  As if the NFL isn’t pulling in enough money they have to break up the Draft into portions to try and make even more.  I just hope next year they don’t spread it over six months, having only select teams draft starting in April and ending at the beginning of the regular season…that’ll really maximize profits, right Roger?