Knucklehead of the Week
Randy Moss would have been totally ignored in the build-up to Super Bowl XLVII had he not proclaimed himself the best wide receiver of all-time. That makes as much sense as starting a kicker at quarterback. Moss, 35, had some stellar seasons, but he has caught just 32 passes in the past three years — 16 this season for the 49ers. The legendary Jerry Rice, recognized as the best ever, caught 92 passes at age 40.
One of my kids’ basketball games was cancelled due to Saturday’s vicious snowstorm. With my afternoon free, I ventured out with the sled dogs, expecting to see cars in ditches and tow trucks at every intersection. Imagine my surprise when I saw … clear roads! We’re getting soft, people.
My Super Bowl prediction? I have no idea, but here's how I'd like tonight's game to unfold: The 49ers, trailing 24-20, get the ball at midfield with 1:12 to play. After a few completions, the ball is inside the 10-yard line. Handoff to Frank Gore. Only Ray Lewis stands between the reliable running back and the end zone. Lewis braces himself and everyone holds their breath. Sideline reporters begin to drool.
Gore, who didn’t get the memo about God wanting the Ravens to win, steamrolls Lewis and scores. Game over. We’ll have to endure Lewis’ ridiculous pregame dance — good time to head to the kitchen — but hopefully he won’t be gyrating in the confetti. Niners, 27-24.
It's one thing to get beat, but it's another to pack it in for the season hours after the groundhogs are let loose. I didn't watch UD's road losses at Xavier and Saint Louis because they were televised on obscure cable channels. But by listenning on the radio, it's obvious the Flyers got what they deserved. The stat that says it all: Xavier outrebounded UD 36-18.
The Flyers are 2-5 in the Atlantic 10 with nine games to play, six at home. They’re a pretty good bet to match their awful 6-10 league record in 2006. Time to give the freshmen more playing time.
THE OSU is raising football ticket prices from $70 to $79 to cover repairs to athletic facilities and pay for Gordon Gee's deer-antler spray. Some Buckeye games will cost more than 100 bucks as the university introduces premium pricing to its loyal fans. Tickets to next season's Wisconsin game will go for $110. Future Michigan games could cost $175, matching what a Super Bowl ticket went for 20 years ago.
If Ohio State wants to get greedy and charge more for the best games, then it should give fans a break for the snoozers. How about $30 for those instant classics against Buffalo and Florida A&M?
Ohio U cancelled its Wednesday night basketball game against Eastern Michigan. Why? Because an armed robbery near campus that morning put the campus on lockdown. The criminal who stole $5 from someone was not immediately caught, so everyone flipped out. Can you imagine how many times this kind of knee-jerk reaction would disrupt athletic events in big cities?
Phil Mickelson backed off his tough talk about the high taxes he pays for the privilege to live in California. I wish Lefty would've stuck to his guns. You know, free speech and all. Mickelson wouldn't be the first pro athlete to leave the Golden State because of tax concerns. Tiger Woods admitted that he moved to Florida in 1996 because of high taxes.
Brian Gregory's Georgia Tech squad fell to 1-6 in the ACC after dropping a 63-60 decision to Clemson, which is coached by Brad Brownell. That's as close as we'll get to another Gem City Jam. … Pretty cool to see Dayton's own Norris Cole in the White House when President Obama honored the Miami Heat last Monday. … In a shockingly candid interview, Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira told the Wall Street Journal that he is overpaid. I'm sure once his agent gets a hold of him he'll claim his words were taken out of context.
About the Author