Enough is Enough

"Breaking news," reports the SportsCenter broadcast from the living room, "After coming in 44th yesterday at (insert random golf tournament no one cares about here), Tiger Woods decided that he just doesn't play very well when he's single. So this morning he announced he will be joining the dating site eHarmony. Unfortunately, he soon realized this wasn't the type of dating site he was looking for." We also can't forget spending five minutes analyzing each hole he played in his 44th-place finish, the clips of his now slightly subdued antics of disgust included.

Or, five minutes later: "After eating eggs and toast for breakfast, Brett Favre decided to go out hunting earlier today. He came back empty-handed, possibly because he was too busy texting..."

Okay, these aren't real SportsCenter reports (what I wrote actually sounds more like the Comedy Central show Onion SportsDome, a show you should really check out), but my point here is that some athletes are just covered way too much by ESPN. I am tired of their love, or at least excessive coverage of Tiger Woods, Brett Favre, the Miami Heat, and some others. I doubt I'm alone.

I'm not much of a golf fan. I don't know who number one in the world is. I wouldn't unless I was a follower of the sport. I certainly know who No. 3 is, though (Tiger Woods). And I know who Phil Mickelson is, even though he is ranked like a hundred something. Why? Because I watch SportsCenter. And regardless of how they do, all of the coverage and analysis is of their play, even if Bubba Watson or some other unknown wins the tournament. Maybe the only reason the casual sports fan only knows of a few golfers is because only a few of them are covered. Golf relies so much on Tiger Woods, because he gets five times more coverage than every other golfer combined.

Brett Favre. I don't even want to talk about him, but I will. Now that he's actually retired, hopefully for sure this time, one would assume the coverage of him would finally come to an end. Yeah right. Instead he has to remain in the spotlight, because he's fallen ill with the Tiger Woods Syndrome. His "sexting" hasn't been proven, but until someone figures this out, he'll remain in the news. Thankfully, there hasn't been much talk about him lately, but it'll surely return.

There are the guys that do deserve the attention they've been receiving, such as Shaun White, Blake Griffin, and Kevin Love. Theirs certainly hasn't been to the extent of the aforementioned, not even close. But their dominance of their sport makes them more than worthy of it, and constant talk of them I could withstand for a little while, to take away the attention of the guys far past their prime.

Underachieving

Just when it seemed as if the Miami Heat's struggles were over, and they were well on their way to a championship, they suffer a skid, picking up Ls in five of their last six. The most recent occured earlier tonight: a 93-88 loss courtesy of the Knicks, who coming in were losers of seven straight.

After watching a good amount of the Knicks game, the reason why loomed right out at me, or anyone who knows the tiniest bit about basketball. It's the same problem you would see at an elementary school pick-up game. What's amazing is that coach Erik Spolestra didn't pick up on it at all, or maybe he did, but was afraid to say anything. He might not have wanted to tell LeBron and Wade (but mostly LeBron) to stop hogging the basketball.

Possession after possession in the 4th quarter I'd see the Knicks kick the ball around on offense, set screens, and find Landry Fields or Danilo Gallinari for an open three, or Amare down low, etc. Then Miami would take the ball down, Wade would and hand it off to LeBron (who shot just 7-24 on the night), and the King would dribble around and promptly take an acrobatic, contested J. One guy has the ball, the other four stand there was Miami's offense in the late stages. Not a single rehearsed play was recognizable.

Much of this seems to be at the fault of Spolestra, who is looking like the same inexperienced coach many were begging to be fired after the Heat's mediocre 9-8 start to the season. The timeouts he called amounted to nothing, unless he just repeatedly told his team to run the iso. Because that's all they were doing. The Heat's play looked like their coach either didn't know what he was doing, or didn't have control of the team.

LeBron and Wade are certainly the top players in the game; everyone knows that. But, LeBron especially, needs to realize that he doesn't need to do everything alone, that he has a team around him, regardless of its talent. The guys around him in Miami are certainly much better those in Cleveland, as demonstrated by their current woes. But instead of driving to the hoop every time and throwing up prayers, LeBron should kick it out to James Jones a few more times; the guy's money from beyond, or find a cutter (the few times there is one). I realize he's missing Bosh, but everyone on that team is an NBA player, which means they all have to be at least kind of good. Actually running set plays would help the Heat as well.

I certainly am not one to talk, but I can just see by watching the Heat for a few minutes the problem staring them straight in the eye. If LeBron played more like the point forward he did in Cleveland, top ten in assists, that would drastically improve his play. As power forward filling in for Bosh, he seems to think every time he touches the ball, he must score. The Heat will be fine as the season goes on, but this current stretch shows that they haven't jelled just yet.

All We Want is Football

Just heard the news NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will be cutting his salary to $1 if there is a lockout. So what? Normally he makes $10 million a year, but does that matter much to fans? Nope. No NFL fans are worried about the details of the strike; we all just want to watch our team on Sundays.

I, for one, do not feel any pity for the players or their health care issues. It's said how they only have an average seven year window to make all the money in their life. Uh, ever heard of a college degree? Rather than retiring and sitting at home and playing golf or whatever, they should actually make use of their free ride through college, and actually take classes, and graduate. No working class Americans want to hear football players whine every day, because they have limited time to make money because 1) That's not the case and 2) Everyone else has to work about 25 years to make not even as much money as the players do in seven. Many NFL players need a reality check once they stop playing (if they've ever even experienced reality, that is, other than playing something they love for money).

I don't feel for the owners, either. They're all just rich guys who do whatever it is owners do. Sit in a luxury box seats with cigars and expensive wine, and occasionally help with the management of a team. They're not worthy of anyone's sorrow; they're just out for even more money than they already have, for, I don't know, their newest collection of private jets, or to buy an island somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, if they can't already.

See, the average fan couldn't care less about the details of the dispute. We're not going to side with anyone, we just want to watch the game. Most people would rather all the statistics, with the exception of a possible 18-game season, to be kept private. Whether it's the owners complaining or the players, it makes no difference; rather, we just want all the guys in suits to come to a decision, and get on with the game. Because that's all it is, after all.

Ramirez, Damon Reunited, now in Tampa Bay

In 2004, Johnny Damon looked like a caveman and Manny Ramirez' dreads were the same as always when, as members of the Boston Red Sox, the two cornerstone players won a World Series. The Boston Curse was over at last. Those days are long gone for the 37-year-old Damon and 38-year old Ramirez, both far past their prime, but looking to prove they both have something left in the tank.

The small-market Tampa Bay Rays haven't exactly had the best of offseasons this winter, losing the top dogs of their 2008 World Series team, Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena. Rafael Soriano, the team's lights-out closer last season, recently signed with the Yankees. Tampa's window seems to be closing. Evan Longoria, the team's centerpiece, remains, but the Rays look to be headed back to where they've been for years: at the bottom of the standings, or at least watching from home in October.

They still possess a solid starting rotation, led by up-and-coming superstar ace David Price, who started for the American League and this past season's All-Star Game, as well as the aforementioned Longoria. But without Crawford and Pena, will the Rays be able to produce nearly enough offense to contend with Boston and New York in the AL East?

GM Andrew Friedman showed he at least wants to try with the signings of Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon. It would be a dream for him and the 50 fans that go to Tampa Bay games if they could relive what the two did as teammates in Boston, a World Series championship. Could the 2011 Rays be the 2008 Rays, or better yet, 2010 Giants? All of the signs say no, but there is certainly a chance.

Damon will take the place of Crawford in the outfield, where the Rays can expect a slight drop-off in every statistical category. But Damon is still a solid MLB player at this stage in his career, who can almost guarantee a .350 OBP.

In Ramirez' case, one really doesn't know what to expect. He still seems to be, while not the Manny Ramirez of the past, one of the better hitters in the game. .280/25/75 or so, while seemingly slightly exaggerated, does seem realistic for this season (if he can stay healthy) considering what he's done with the bat the past few years.

While the signing of Damon and Ramirez certainly doesn't make the Tampa Bay Rays once again contenders for an MLB crown, it gives them a fighter's chance. Damon is a veteran clubhouse leader while Manny will be Manny, regardless of location. What would be nice for the Rays organization is if these signings could bolster attendance for the team a bit, but we all know that's not going to happen anytime soon.

Editorial: Schooling the MLB Draft

Steve Chilcott. Brien Taylor. Matt Bush. If you recognize these names, congratulations: you know your MLB Draft busts.

My esteemed colleague's recent article titled "Kentucky Preparatory" gave me the idea for this article. As I was reading it I thought, "NBA prospects have to go to college for one year? That's absurd! All colleges are to NBA prospects are a means to end - glory in the NBA."

I would not even consider myself a dilettante of the NBA or its draft. I am confident, however, in my knowledge of the dynamics of the MLB Draft and the Minor League Farm System.

All prospective MLB draftees should have to attend four-year colleges or universities and attain degrees.

Enter the not-so-glamorous world of the MLB Draft. Started in 1965, the MLB Draft yields more career casualties each year than any other of the three major North American professional sports drafts. Of course, the MLB Draft yields a mind-boggling 1,500 picks each year, much more than the NHL (215), the NBA (60), and the NFL (256).

Based on the sheer size of the MLB Draft, once can assume that the system is flawed. MLB Commissioner Bud Selig has considered making amendments to draft, but no official action has been made yet.

Held in the middle of the season, the MLB Draft is a staggering 50 rounds and usually takes days to complete. After about the 10th round or so, teams are merely picking players to fill out low-level Minor League rosters. There is a great deal of insignificance to the draft.

To be eligible for the draft, prospective draftees must:
1. bBe a resident of the United States, Canada, or a U.S. territory.
2. Never signed a professional contract.
3. Be a high school senior, four-year college/university student who has completed his junior year or is at least 21 years old.
4. OR AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO #3: Be a student at a junior, community, or Division III school. Grade does not matter in this case.

There are many reasons for the unpopularity of the MLB Draft. First, NCAA Baseball trails in popularity to NCAA Football and Basketball. Hence, many prospective draftees of the MLB Draft are relatively unknown. Second, fans do not get to see highly-touted selections play in the Majors for a few years. Instead, draft picks embark on a long journey through the Minor Leagues, characterized by cheap motels and long bus rides. Third, many selections will never reach the Major Leagues, so there is a huge element of failure.

Chilcott, Taylor, and Bush all have something in common: they are all former number-one overall picks in the MLB Draft who never made it to the Major Leagues. (Bush is still active) Coincidentally, they were all out of high school.

Chilcott, a catcher, was taken first by the New York Mets in the 1966 MLB Draft out of Antelope Valley High School in Lancaster, CA. Chilcott spent six years in the Minors before retiring due to career-ending injuries. The second-overall pick in the 1966 MLB Draft, which went to the Oakland Athletics, fared better as he achieved enshrinement in Cooperstown. He was an outfielder out of Arizona State University named Reggie Jackson.

Taylor, a flamethrowing southpaw out of East Carteret High School in Beaufort, NC, was taken by the New York Yankees as the top pick in the 1991 MLB Draft. Taylor suffered a number of injuries and dealt with character issues in the Minors, including a fist-fight, before throwing in the towel. Other picks in the draft included Manny Ramirez (13th overall, CLE) and Shawn Green (16th overall, TOR).

Mission Bay Senior High School in San Diego, CA alumnus Matt Bush was taken by his hometown San Diego Padres in 2004. A shortstop with great tools, he has battled injuries, inconsistency, and character issues. Though still active, he has yet to make it past High-A. He is trying to make it to the Majors as a pitcher. Succeeding Bush in the draft included players such as Justin Verlander (2nd overall, DET.) and Jered Weaver (12th overall, ANA.)

Of course, other first-overall, first-round, and even late round picks have fared well. The New York Yankees' 22nd round selection in 1990 didn't turn out badly at all. The pick won 5 World Series and orchestrated the most postseason wins in MLB history. His name is Andy Pettitte, by the way.

But the fact is more have missed than those who have made.

In the case of baseball, players at the college level tend to be more polished and in essence, closer to big-league-ready. The competition and skill level of top-notch NCAA Division I baseball programs is said to be the equivalent of High-A Minor League Baseball, three steps below the Major League level. A polished college player would be able to reach the majors quickly after being drafted because he is accustomed to a high level of competition.

The average time it takes a top high school player to make it to the Major Leagues after being drafted is signed is probably around 3-4 years. In that period of time, they could have attained a college degree and in the process, gained the necessary experience to make them a more attractive commodity in the draft, hence, closer to big-league ready.

Sure, college players are not going to jump straight from college ball to the Majors. Like their high school counterparts, they need time too. By the time they reach the Majors, they will be older than a high school player picked in the same draft. But college players have something that high school players who sign do not traditionally possess: maturity. Sure, players who sign out of high school can become mature, but they must do so while integrating themselves into the tough life of professional baseball. College players gained it in the safe environment of college; they have it. So what does maturity mean in this case? Maturity in the sense of taking care of one's self and being responsible for one's actions is highly invaluable. Also, it can mean poise on the field. College players have more baseball and life experience. They are used to being on their own. Unlike high school players, it has been years since they relied on their own parents on a daily basis, and have some degree of independence and self-sufficiency.

It is a dream for a team to draft a mature and skilled player. They get to the big leagues quickly and the team has to do minimal baby-sitting. But perhaps some high school players are not mentally equipped for professional baseball right away. Becoming independent in the pressure-filled system of professional baseball is not healthy. In the book Moneyball by Michael Lewis, the Oakland Athletics front office characterized high school pitchers as the riskiest commodity in the MLB Draft. The possibility of injuries and their lack of poise creates the possibility that some high school pitchers will flame out and not make it to the Majors. Let the kids go to college and grow up a bit.

Going to college helps the kids in an academic sense too. If they do get drafted and bust, at least they have a degree to fall back on. Sure, those multi-million dollar signing bonuses that top picks are given now ought to keep draft busts in good shape for years, but think of the later picks. Later picks receive true Minor League salaries - some tens of thousands of dollars per year. They could actually make more money by finding a job in the real world than playing Minor League Baseball.

A system requiring prospective MLB draftees to attain college degrees would benefit both teams and players. Teams would have polished and mature players quickly and the players would possess the mental tools to succeed in professional baseball and in life if things do not work out as planned.

"The best laid schemes of mice and men." That seems to apply to thousands of players selected throughout the history of the MLB Draft, doesn't it?

Kentucky Preparatory

Seniors are hard to come by on a Kentucky Wildcats basketball team. There is only one this year, a forward named Josh Harrellson, who is far from a household name.

Why is this? Like many of the other big-time schools, players at Kentucky leave early for the NBA. A prime example is last season, when UK lost four freshman to the NBA: DeMarcus Cousins, Eric Bledsoe, Daniel Orton, and John Wall. This was likely because of the fairly recent NBA rule that states in order to be eligible for the NBA, a player must have at least a year of college experience (or professionally in other countries).

With these four players, it seems all coach John Calipari and Kentucky did in the 2009-10 season was prepare these players for the NBA. A national championship would be nice for them, but not their prime focus.

This is the argument against the one-year college rule: that the players play in college simply because they have to, rather than going to the NBA straight from high school, devaluing the college game.

And let's face it: with the exception of John Wall, these players all left too early in the first place. All prized draft picks, only one is playing especially successful basketball, and one has not played at all. They certainly could have benefited from more time at Kentucky under Calipari's tutelage. 

Take a look at Daniel Orton. He hardly played last year at Kentucky as a freshman, and was a first round draft pick simply because of potential. He was stuck in the rotation all year behind Cousins and Patrick Patterson. This year, he'd have started. Instead, he's riding the pine on the Orlando Magic, not having seen a minute of court time in the NBA.

Eric Bledsoe was hidden in John Wall's shadows last season at UK, but started alongside him and showed NBA-caliber skills. The starring role would've been his this year, and he, like Orton, would have greatly benefited at Kentucky had he stayed. Instead, he's backing up Baron Davis on the Clippers, but his situation is far better than Orton's: he's getting some PT, putting up decent rookie numbers, and looks like the apparent heir to Davis at PG.

DeMarcus Cousins is starting to look solid in the NBA, and it seems as if he will be for years to come. The one thing separating him from immediate stardom is the fact he left so early.

John Wall was said to be NBA-ready the second he joined UK's roster. He would have been a guy who, like Kobe and LeBron, took the leap from high school to the pros. With a little more maturity in his game, he could be an all-time great.

But the question is, did all four of these guys come to Kentucky simply because it's the required gateway to the pros? Or because of the desire to play college basketball that many of the other guys at that level have? Most likely the former. Which is why the one-year college rule needs to be reconsidered.

Editorial: King, Robinson, and Civil Rights

Needless to say, I am a sports fan. But I am also a dedicated history major. Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2011; I did not mourn for University of Michigan alumnus Tom Brady's loss to the hated New York Jets. I was too preoccupied replaying King's "I Have A Dream" speech in my head over, and over, and over again. His thunderous voice and brilliant rhetoric are forever enshrined in the annals of history. As brilliant as King was, his movement would not have taken off the way it did without baseball

What touched off King's Civil Rights Movement? Anyone? Bueller? Any self-respecting school kid would mention Rosa Parks. As a history enthusiast and self-proclaimed baseball scholar, I would say Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson.

I have mentioned it before and I will say it again: baseball is deeply ingrained in American history and has proved time and time again to be a catalyst for a change and progress. Through Robinson, baseball made an indelible mark in American history.

Robinson debuted in 1947, eight years before Parks made her brave stand (actually she sat, it's a history major's joke) in Montgomery, Alabama. The baseball color barrier was broken before something as simple as segregated bus seating.

Robinson was indeed a baseball player, but also a pioneer. Robinson embodied King's theory of silent protest and civil disobedience. Subject to Jim Crow Laws throughout the South, Robinson was prohibited from dining in restaurants and could not stay in the same hotels as teammates. But on a greater moral level, Robinson was subjected to such boorish behavior on the part of opponents, spectators, and even teammates. As Robinson covered second to turn double plays, opposing base runners slid with their spikes up and deliberately went out of the baseline to cause Robinson physical pain. Bench jockeys delighted in calling Robinson a number of choice phrases which I will not write here. Spectators threw objects at Robinson and consistently sent death threats. Teammates, with the exception of Pee Wee Reese, were no kinder.

In spite of everything, Robinson played baseball. Not only did he play baseball, but he did so on an exceptional level. Baseball, perhaps more than any other sport, requires a great deal of concentration. Squaring up a round bat to a ball traveling in excess of 90 mph released from 60.5 feet away is far from simple. So difficult, that the best hitters fail seven times out of ten in doing this. Simply, he refused to let distractions affect his game. Also, he resisted the urge to retaliate. Any man with a sense of pride and honor would have stood up for himself. But Jackie was different. When Brooklyn Dodgers General Manager Branch Rickey was asked if he wanted a player who was afraid to fight back, he responded, " I want a ballplayer with guts enough not to fight back!"

Robinson worked closely with King. In the early 1960s, Robinson's career was long over, but his reputation as a ballplayer and a person made him a poster child of King's Civil Rights Movement. It was a peaceful movement, not violent one.

In 1959, Pumpsie Green made his debut for the Boston Red Sox, signaling the full integration of African-Americans into the Major Leagues. Though racism continued to be prevalent in Major League Baseball, baseball did take a major step toward gaining equal rights.

Regrettably, I can neither capture the full essence of the integration of Major League Baseball nor King's importance. But the relevance and bravery of King and those pioneering ballplayers should always be remembered and honored.

Cavaliers in Disarray Without Their King

It's hard to believe one player can matter to a team so much. Even if that player is named LeBron James.

After starting 7-9, the Cavs have posted a not so impressive 1-21 record. That's worse than 2009-10 Nets basketball. Last year, after 38 games, the Cavs had a proficient 28-10 record, contending for a top seed in the east. This year? 8-30. A 20 game turnaround not even halfway through the season.

Maybe LeBron really never would have won a championship if he stayed in Cleveland. He was criticized for leaving, for not wanting to win his own championship. But would a ring in Cleveland even be possible for him with the supporting cast the Cavs would have had? Let's face it, right now, the Cavs really only have two NBA starters on their current roster: Antawn Jamison and Mo Williams. And neither of them are good enough to be the go-to guy on a team. That was LeBron's job, the spot he's left vacant. Guys like J.J. Hickson and Christian Eyenga, who are currently starting, wouldn't be in most other places. They're not bad players, but solid backups, guys who would get 15-20 minutes a game almost anywhere else. Hickson is just 22 however, and shows some potential, but 5.5 boards a night is flat out terrible for a starting center. And while Eyenga is only 21, he is currently their replacement for LeBron, in the small forward spot. And it isn't really a toss-up on which of the two is better. Manny Harris, a young gun fresh out of college who is also 21, has shown flashes of being a natural scorer, recently putting up 27 points, even if it was against the porous Phoenix Suns defense. The Cavs do have youth and potential on their roster, but this won't help them win games in 2011.

January 11, 2011 was the low point, the Laker game. 112-57. No typos there. 112-57. And that was with the Lakers laying off the scoring in the fourth. Halfway through the third period, the Cavs were down 83-33. That's like those college games when the powerhouse pays the school of 1000 students to come to their house to get massacred. The Cavs could have lost to a D-League team that day, or any of the ranked NCAA schools. Mo Williams said he felt embarrassed to show his face in Cleveland. The aforementioned Manny Harris, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, had the worst plus/minus rating ever recorded since the stat has been kept track of (since 1997-1998 season), at -57. That's as many points as his team scored. And if the Lakers had scored one more basket, they would have doubled up the Cavs. In an NBA game. That has probably never happened.

"You look scared. You look flat-out scared," Byron Scott told his team in that game at halftime, "You're playing against the world champions, and instead of just competing and playing hard, you look scared. You look scared to death." Doesn't sound like he's talking to an NBA team. Yeah, yeah, they were missing Anderson Varejao, Anthony Parker, Joey Graham, Daniel Gibson, and Leon Powe. No one expected them to win, or come close. But this? No one knew what to say. Varejao is out for the year, a reliable energy source who put up close to a double-double a night this year. That's a big loss for them. But at this point, it doesn't really matter.

Will the Cavs be able to do what the Oklahoma City Thunder did in these past few years, having great drafts and getting a couple key free agents? GM Danny Gilbert will have some work to do. The thing about the NBA is, unlike the NFL, the worst team doesn't always get the #1 overall draft pick, which is why the Bulls were able to land Derrick Rose a few years ago. Which is why the Nets have an underachieving Derrick Favors instead of rising star John Wall. Either way though, the Cavs will have one of the top picks to begin their rebuilding stage. Which could last awhile.

The Cleveland Cavaliers 2010-2011 season started with, not championship, but at least playoff expectations. The fans of the team wanted to prove they could win without LeBron, not lose to him by 28 in the first meeting with the Heat. Rather than the playoffs, the year is lost. All it's good for is gauging the talent of their young players, none of whom will come close to taking the place of LeBron James.

Season Gone to Hell for New Jersey Devils?

Is it the work of the Devil himself? Or is it just plain bad luck? Regardless, the 2010-11 NHL season has been anything but kind to the New Jersey Devils.

As of the night of January 11, 2011, the Devils are a meager 11-29-2 and have accumulated just 24 points on the season, bad enough to earn them the distinction of the worst team in the NHL. They are a distant 27 points behind the Atlanta Thrashers who are eighth in the Eastern Conference standings. Naturally, the Devils possess the worst goal differential in the NHL, having surrendered 55 more goals than they have scored.

Having qualified for the playoffs in each of the past 13 seasons, the Devils have long been a symbol of consistency in the NHL. Throw in the fact the Devils won 3 Stanley Cup Championships over that span, this season's performance is certainly unexpected.

After yet another early exit from the playoffs last season at the hands of the rivaled Philadelphia Flyers, the Devils reloaded as General Manager Lou Lamoriello made a number of savy moves. To compensate for the loss of top defenseman Paul Martin to Atlantic Division foe Pittsburgh Penguins, Lamoriello signed free agent defensemen Anton Volchenkov and Henrik Tallinder. Also, Lamoriello reacquired 2000 Stanley Cup Final hero Jason Arnott from the Nashville Predators. But perhaps his biggest move was resigning prolific sniper Ilya Kovalchuk after a series of renegotiations following the league's rejection of an earlier deal the Devils made with Kovalchuk.

So why haven't the Devils been able to win? For starters, offensive production has been scarce. Early in the season, the Devils saw their first-line left winger and prolific playmaker Zach Parise fall with what is expected to be a season-ending knee injury. Kovalchuk, who was expected to lead the offense, has just 10 goals and 13 assists to this point in the season. Center Travis Zajac, who had a breakout season last year, has not shown the same consistency; tallying just 6 goals and 15 assists. Their offense has posted a microscopic 1.81 goals per game, by far the worst in the NHL.

In spite of the offense's lack of production, the goaltending has been far worse. Martin Brodeur has compiled an un-Marty-like record of 6-18-1, posting a mediocre .887 SV% and a paltry 3.05 GAA, a departure from his consistent Vezina-caliber numbers. Journeyman backup Johan Hedberg has not been much better.

The Devils have already made some significant changes. In late December, the Devils fired rookie coach John MacLean and brought back Jacques Lemaire [shown in picture], who led the Devils to their first Stanley Cup Championship in 1995 and coached last year, on an interim basis. Captain Jamie Langenbrunner was dealt back to his original team, the Dallas Stars, in exchange for a conditional third-round pick in the upcoming draft. A new captain has yet to be announced. It is expected that other players, including under-performing power forward Dainius Zubrus, will be dealt before the trade deadline. There were whispers about dealing Brodeur, who has been a fixture in net for the Devils since the early 1990s, but the rumors were denied by Lamoriello who said, "[Brodeur's] not going anywhere." The Devils have had the pleasure of seeing flashes of the future in rookies center Jacob Josefson, right winger Mattias Tedenby, and defensemen Matthew Corrente and Matt Taormina.

Recently, the Devils have shown brilliance, but they are thought of as too inconsistent to make a serious run at a playoff spot. On Sunday, the Devils trounced the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning, the second-best team in the Eastern Conference, 6-3. Enforcer David Clarkson netted two goals as rookie Nick Palmieri tallied his first career goal, earning Brodeur the win.

In spite of some bright spots, there is little hope left for the cellar-dwelling Devils. When asked if the prospect of turning the Devils' season around was the biggest challenge of his coaching career, Lemaire said, "By...a...mile," pausing between each word, "and a plus."

More help could be on the way in the 2011 NHL Draft, in which the Devils have the first overall pick. They will have a chance to pick among the CHL's top prospects including Sean Courturier, a high-scoring center of the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the QMJHL, and
Ryan-Nugent Hopkins, a center with a high Hockey IQ currently playing for the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL.

In a season of disappointment, there is still plenty to look forward to for the New Jersey Devils.

What is it that compels us to watch sports?

I am so devastated about what happened to the Eagles yesterday that I am in no position to write about the NFL Playoffs going on right now, so I'm going to try something different. It's one of those random things I've been thinking about for a little while, good enough that I'm not going to talk about the BCS Championship like a million other people, or how Nnamdi Asomugha is now a free agent, or how the Heat are winning every night like ESPN spends half of Sportscenter talking about every day, or how Rex Ryan won't shut up and coach, or how the Mountain West has two teams in the Men's Basketball top 10 (yes, it's true), or how Carmelo might be going to New Jersey, or how Marshawn Lynch can't be stopped, or how Michigan might have a new coach after three years of losing under RichRod, or how Kemba Walker continues to dominate college basketball. Nope, I'll pass up all of those topics to ponder this question, which relates to why we care at least a little bit about all of this stuff in the first place. What exactly is it in sports that makes us devote countless hours of our time staring at, or if our team is on, screaming at the TV, spend far too much money on merchandise, and buy ridiculously-priced tickets to, in many of our cases, make a commute to a stadium in a city full of traffic,  an overcrowded public venue, where, once you finally find your seat, there's probably gum or something sticky on it, as well as the guy behind you screaming obscenities before he drunkenly spills beer on you, on top of the fact that the temperature outside might just be subzero and your seat is behind a pole or something, all to watch a couple kajillionaires throw a ball around.

Love of the game for us fans? Yeah, that's certainly a factor. I could go on and on about that and bore you to death about that; for that is definitely a reason why, but any sports fan knows they love their favorite sport already. There's simply something else, something more, that triggers our brains to devote so much of our time to what is just a game.

You might never have even thought of sports this way before. It's an industry that has us hooked, an addiction in a sense. Why? Well, right now I'm going to try and figure that out, put on my Sherlock Holmes trench coat or whatever.

The people that hate their city's teams, well, the frontrunners in many cases, I'll never understand them. Yeah, yeah, your second cousin once removed lived in Dallas, so obviously you are entitled to be a Cowboys fan. Mmhm. Makes a boatload of sense. But for those loyal fans that love their city's team (and no, I'm not talking about the people who jump on the bandwagon once their team makes the championship), that watch them every time they're on, city pride is definitely a factor. I live in Philly. The fans here are known for getting tasered, drunkenly vomiting on cops and their families, and the such. Fans here boo the guys that are the reason our team became good in the first place. Many of them are complete fools. But the one thing everyone still has, much of the time to a far too great extent? Yup. Pride. When the Phillies win the World Series (as they will this year) we all get to go rub it in the face of the Mets fans who are privileged enough to now perennially watch their team suffer. When a team wins, a city wins, just as New Orleans demonstrated after their Super Bowl win last year (not gonna happen again, said the now 8-9 Seahawks.)

But wait a second. That still doesn't totally answer the question. The citizens of a city aren't the guys on the field, or court, etc. Nope. It's the athletes, many of them fresh out of the police station, or even jail, convicted dog-killers, or guys who've served time for manslaughter (not many), but the DUIs are countless, all this because they think they're on top of the world. The clueless ones, anyway, who think because they're a celebrity they can get away with that stuff. Why should a city cheer for them, millionaire criminals. Well, most of them aren't, for one. The good guys of sports vastly outnumber the bad (at least, that's how it appears), the Curtis Grandersons, Aubrey Huffs, and Jim Joyces of sports. Or is it all an act? Is that just to promote fans to regard them and their teams well? Do the players actually care about the fans, who are the reason they are so filthy rich in the first place? Is signing autographs and doing charity work and the such just for a good image for them, to make their lives easier?

For some athletes, that could be the case. But many of them, they realize they really are blessed to be in the position they are in, and do humanitarian acts out of kindness as they should. They're not fake. The other day I saw a documentary as part of ESPN's Year of the Quarterback, called Tim Tebow: Everything In Between. Now I know I'm getting a little off topic here, but when he went to that hospital to comfort a child who eventually would die, and text him for days after, I knew it was out of his heart, and not an act to promote his image, as, however unfortunately, some of the guys do.

My point from this is hard to understand, especially taking this question I posed originally into account, but it all links together. To put it all into simpler terms, I'm just further questioning our devotion to sports, wondering why we seem to bond, or at least strongly root for these athletes, even though most couldn't care less about each individual fan, like each of us care about them. Because in sports, they are the ones playing, not us. We don't win the Lombardi trophy, but as a fan, when our team wins, a speck of it goes to us.

Playoffs Could be Reggie Bush's Coming Out Party

He's a third-stringer. He's finally starting to be regarded as a bust. He just dropped a pass a few seconds ago that might have been a touchdown, that instead resulted in a Saints field goal. But nonetheless, today's game against the Seahawks, and if (and probably when) they advance in the playoffs will likely be Reggie Bush's coming-out party in the NFL. Finally.

Bush is mostly known for his time at USC when he won a Heisman, that was taken away this year due to violations. In the NFL, he is one of the most well-known players, certainly the league's most popular third-stringers. So why will he flourish in the playoffs? Two words. Playing time. This season he only has 150 rushing yards, on 36 carries. In just eight games played (due to injury this year) he does, however, has 34 catches for 208 yards. Injuries have certainly crippled his season, but so has the fact that he has been stuck behind Chris Ivory and Pierre Thomas. Both are injured for the playoffs, so he'll get the bulk of the carries for once. He'll show his stuff as an every-down back.

We know, with Drew Brees, the Saints will be mostly one-dimensional, a passing team. But even Brandon Jackson, the Packers running back (in case you didn't know, and he's filling in for Ryan Grant), has rushed for over 700 yards even though the Packers are said to have no running game. But since he's their only back, he's able to accumulate some stats. Anyone who's good enough to make it to the NFL is capable of filling in for someone, specifically at the running back position, and stepping up and doing a decent job. Bush will be trying to prove he can do better than decent, and remove his overrated tag.

Harbaugh to the Niners

Even though quarterback Andrew Luck has decided to return for his senior year (he might want to reconsider his decision), his now former coach Jim Harbaugh has left him and Stanford for the NFL, to coach the San Francisco 49ers. As the Cardinal are expecting a drop-off next season after a blowout win over Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl, Harbaugh favored a five year, 25 million dollar deal to head to San Fran and join his brother coaching in the pros.

Many other teams, in both the NFL and NCAA, were courting Harbaugh to coach their team, most notably the Miami Dolphins and Michigan University, where he went to school and played there as the team's quarterback. Michigan is now still looking for a replacement for recently fired Rich Rodriguez, after a miserable past three years in which the usual powerhouse went 15-22 overall. The Dolphins still have a coach in Tony Sparano, but had talks with Harbaugh anyway, which seemingly lost Sparano power with both his players and in the organization.

So why did he choose the 49ers? As of right now, they aren't in the greatest shape. Well, for one, San Fran offered him the most money, lucrative terms for a coach. He must see it as an opportunity to turn a team around, to convert the 49ers the consistent contenders they once were.

Tyrod Taylor's NFL QB Chances

Throughout his time at Virginia Tech, and particularly this season, quarterback Tyrod Taylor has made extraordinary plays. Why, then, does ESPN's Todd McShay have him unranked for NFL Draft prospects at quarterback, and 25th in receiver? Why should a guy who's been a quarterback his entire college career suddenly switch to receiver? Why wouldn't he make a quality NFL quarterback?

The same was said for the Broncos' Tim Tebow. He should be a tight end, they said. Well, he's fixed up his mechanics and now has a few starts under his belt. He's no Peyton Manning, but he's formidable. Look at Michael Vick. His and Taylor's stats are extremely comparable for their Virginia Tech careers, Taylor's actually slightly better than Vick's in some categories. And look what Vick has done.

Taylor's stats this year are 23 TDs, just 4 INTs, for 2521 yards, and a 60% completion rate. Why, then, should no one give him a shot as a quarterback in the NFL? Is is just because he is a scrambler at times? He stays in the pocket most of the time, but runs to escape the rush. Sure, his mechanics aren't great, and he probably doesn't know a pro offense, but neither did Tebow. It was similar to the offense Vick played in.

By no means am I saying a team should pick Taylor over a top QB such as Stanford's Andrew Luck, who is said to be pro-ready at this moment, as he and Taylor are currently clashing in the Orange Bowl. I just think some team should give Tyrod Taylor a shot. He could be another Michael Vick, you just never know.

Meyer Leaves as a Winner

Who would have thought? When 47-year-old Urban Meyer and 84-year-old Joe Paterno played each other, Paterno would be the one to continue coaching. Meyer was two years old when JoePA coached his first game, but after just six wondrous years at Florida, he'll be the one retiring, not the coach of 45 years. And in the Outback Bowl today, the two would go head-to-head.

It was a dogfight throughout, a very sloppy one at that, as Penn St. quarterback Matt McGloin doomed them by throwing five picks, including one with about a minute to go as his team was in the midst of driving down the field, in hopes of a touchdown to put them ahead. Instead it was Florida that got their final score, with an 80-yard return.

Florida no longer has Tim Tebow, so they had to rely on their carousel three quarterback system, which was good enough for the win, even if it wasn't Meyer's third BCS Championship, or even a BCS Bowl. It was a win over a coach he looks up to, who also has won two championships.

In his six year tenure at Florida, Meyer established a greater legacy than any other coach has had in such a short period. He is cherished by those in Gainesville, who wish he would stick around as long as Paterno, but are thankful for his time nonetheless. Meyer will probably be back into coaching at some point, but for now, he has time to rest.