Day: March 11, 2008

      Just what are you whining about?

      March 11, 2008 /

      Pete Fiutak of FOX Sports is doing a “20 Questions” piece dedicated to the upcoming college football season and his ninth question is a great one: What are you complaining about? (The “you” is referring to college football fans.)

      Ohio State
      No, Ohio State isn’t the Buffalo Bills of the early 1990s — it actually won a national title a few years ago, a fact that gets lost on just about everyone. But after two straight national championship game clunkers, the college football world is going to let out a year-long collective groan over any success in Columbus.

      Reason for the OSU haters to worry: On talent and returning experience, this is the best team in America. Sorry, but it is. No one, when it comes to NFL potential, touches OSU’s starting lineup after James Laurinaitis, Alex Boone and Malcolm Jenkins — all first-round draft picks had they left early — chose to return.

      Reason for the OSU haters to rejoice: The Sept. 13 trip to Los Angeles could end the national-title dreams before they have a chance to get started. OSU isn’t getting any benefit of the doubt this year, but if its only loss is a close one to a top three-ranked USC early in the season, the anti-Buckeye contingent might still need another loss to make sure Jim Tressel’s boys don’t end up in Miami.

      Fiutak also points out the SEC, BCS, Penn State head coaching situation, USC and NCAA and the ’09 NFL quarterback prospects as other topics college football fans are complaining about.

      I for one am tired of the arguments (the very same one’s Fiutak mentions) that college football fans wage every year. It’s the same debates over and over again. Thanks goodness March Madness is around the corner so fans can get their fill of what a real postseason is all about in college sports.

      College Football

      Rockets win 19th straight

      March 11, 2008 /

      I didn’t see this coming.

      Houston had won 12 straight when they learned that Yao Ming was going to miss the rest of the season with a fracture in his foot. I figured that was the beginning of the end of the Rockets’ playoff hopes, but the team has since rattled off seven more wins, including victories over Denver, New Orleans and Dallas. The team hasn’t lost since 1/27.

      In total, the Rockets have won 23 of their last 24 and 28 of their last 31, so this streak is no fluke. Houston is doing it with defense. According to ESPN’s John Hollinger, they have the league’s second-best defensive efficiency. Offensively, they’re getting good production from Tracy McGrady and a team of role players, anchored by Rafer Alston and Shane Battier.

      The Rockets’ streak has kept the pressure on the #4-#9 teams in the West. It’s clear that a good team is going to miss the postseason.

      Streaks aside, if Houston can’t get past the first round of the playoffs, the same questions about T-Mac’s postseason toughness will be asked…again.

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA, NBA Finals

      Yankees sign Billy Crystal – yes, that Billy Crystal

      March 11, 2008 /

      Publicity stunt alert! The New York Yankees are apparently desperate for middle infield help – incredibly desperate. The Bronx Bombers recently signed actor/comedian Billy Crystal to a minor league deal and he’ll play Thursday against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

      Crystal, an avid Yankees fan, will work out with the team on Wednesday and will wear uniform No. 60 for the game—to be played one day before his 60th birthday. The Yankees said Monday they have the approval of baseball commissioner Bud Selig.

      “I’ve been waiting 50 years for this call,” Crystal said in a statement released by the team. “I’m overwhelmed by the generosity of the Yankees and commissioner Selig. I know this’ll be tougher than the Broadway Softball League, but I’m looking forward to helping the younger players, which by the way is all of them. Oops, I have to go, Scott Boras is on the phone.”

      I’d love to see who’s pitching for the Pirates, because if it’s Matt Morris, I say Crystal takes him yard.

      MLB

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