Dungy aims to finish his coaching career where it started

The scenario doesn't seem to play out for guys like Tony Dungy, even though he is one of the most revered men in all of football. Dungy had his fair share of heartbreak in Tampa Bay as a head coach. After all, he built a championship team, only to see his successor Jon Gruden reap the rewards. He has also dealt with his own personal tragedy, with his son James taking his own life in 2005. Yet Dungy has found inner peace within his faith and has stayed strong through it all.

So imagine this. Dungy standing on the podium in the middle of Raymond James Stadium, hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in his final game as head coach in the city where his legacy began. After turning the Buccaneers from laughingstock to powerhouse, Dungy gets to ride off into the sunset a la John Elway and Jerome Bettis, and do so in the same place his journey began.

The Colts have as good a shot as anyone to win it all in 2008, and even if they fall short next year Dungy will retire as a world champion regardless. But the Colts want to show everyone they were not a one-hit Super Bowl wonder. Dungy, who became the first African-American head coach to win a Super Bowl, could find his own poetic justice if his team captures Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa Bay next February.

I hope the Red Sox repeat... their 2006 season

You couldn't have been fooled by the title. Certainly, you all remember the way the Red Sox's 2006 season unfolded. The first half was similar to last year and this year, with the very real possibility of another World Series title. But then came the downfall.

Injuries started piling up, some of the bizarre variety. David Ortiz came down with an irregular heartbeat and missed some time. Jon Lester was diagnosed with cancer after complaining of back pain. Josh Beckett was getting rocked in his first season in the AL. Before you knew it, Eric Hinske was a regular in the lineup and Devern Hansack had cracked the starting rotation. While the Yankees were busy with their annual sob story ("oh, we showed SO much character bounding back from a .500 start to reach the playoffs with a $200 million payroll, isn't it just heartwarming?"), the Tigers swept America's hearts with their surprise playoff berth and subsequent run to the World Series. The Red Sox were home for October.

So could that dream become a reality again in 2008? Curt Schilling is out until at least July. Mike Lowell, Sean Casey, and Josh Beckett have already spent time on the disabled list. At times even during a 17-12 start, the Red Sox have, dare I say, looked beatable. Yet we all know that come the second half, they have the almighty powers above on their side, which is the toughest foe of all to beat.

But before this recent high the Sox have gone on, believe it or not (I'm still trying to convince myself, actually) Boston baseball fans suffered a few late-season meltdowns. So I for one will be keep my fingers crossed that history does indeed repeat itself. And that would mean that the word "repeat" does not get uttered once we reach October.

Giants' White House visit brings smiles

It was a typical day for Boston sports. Another baseball god smiling on the Red Sox and pissing on the Blue Jays. The Celtics clobbered the Hawks. The Bruins were probably issued a pardon from the NHL and somehow found out they weren't technically eliminated from the playoffs.

But then I saw this.


And it certainly brought a smile to my face. I remembered back to that oh-so-happy evening of February 3, 2008, when the Patriots' run at history* was mercifully denied by yet another Manning. Imagine soon-to-be-former President Bush giving a speech on sportsmanship with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick standing behind him, about to present him with a "190" jersey to symbolize going 19-0. Throw that into the mix with everything else going on right now in Boston sports and it could make enough people sick to represent a national outbreak of the Ebola virus.

But because of Eli Manning and David Tyree's heroics, an otherwise-downtrodden late April evening serves as a reminder that indeed, cheaters never prosper (at least since 2004, anyway) and sometimes nice guys DO finish first. Thank you, Giants.

Does Hart to Indy equal Alexander to N.E.?

The Colts definitely need depth at running back, and they got a pretty solid back in the 6th round in Michigan's Mike Hart in the draft. The Colts were rumored to be interested in Shaun Alexander, but now maybe that interest has diminished. Hart is a productive player who should fit nicely into the Colts system. So guess who the other team rumored to be interested in Alexander the Not-So-Great is? Of course, the New England Patriots.

Alexander appears way past his prime, but things have a funny way of working out for players like that in New England. Since the Patriots couldn't rub it in to the Dolphins by stealing either Zach Thomas or Jason Taylor, they may try and rejuvenate Alexander's career to prove a point. Belichick will never let the media and fans' animosity over Spygate go, so he will keep going for players like Alexander to show off his so-called genius "system".

I hope for Alexander's sake he maintains some integrity and goes to a team with a young running back core to mentor them while still providing productive yardage, but for a guy entering his ninth season and still without a Super Bowl ring on his finger, he may take the easy way out and pull a Junior Seau.

At this moment I still have a lot of respect for Shaun Alexander, but that could all change with one quick bolt to the Patriots.

Seau's return to the Patriots would be pathetic

A return to the New England Patriots by Junior Seau, who is currently unsigned, would be nothing short of pathetic, and also quite hypocritical. Seau, who has long craved a Super Bowl ring, is still in search of his first one. Surely he assumed he could get one the easy way by signing up with the Patriots, but it hasn't worked out that way. Now with the Patriots drafting a pair of linebackers this past weekend (let's face it, even their sixth-round pick, Bo Ruud, will probably end up in Canton seeing how as his coach will alert him of all the opponents' plays before they are run), a return by Seau would only spot him a part-time role. For a guy who rants on about his passion for the game, he might even be, dare I say, selling himself short.

Seau is 39, but he may be able to find more playing time elsewhere. Let's say a team like Indianapolis came calling. Last I checked the Colts were pretty good but could use some help at linebacker, and it's not as if a guy like Seau couldn't live with playing for Tony Dungy. But obviously he is so in love with Bill Belichick's "system*" that such a scenario is unlikely. Love for the game? Or just love for the quickie ring?

If Junior comes back as the senior citizen that he is, it would be nothing short of weaseling, a way to just put in enough reps to try and get that long-awaited ring the easy way. Seau, who once retired for a few days after Miami cut him and no one wanted anything to do with him, would lose the last ounces of respect that anyone should even have for him now. If he really was the heart and soul of the Chargers all those years, what a weak heart and soul that was. Seau was part of some pretty awful teams, including a 1-15 squad in 2000, but that doesn't mean he deserves a ring any more than the next guy. Going to the Patriots should not make anyone root for you, because you are part of the problem.

If Seau returns for his 19th season, it would be just the opposite of heartwarming. It would be a pathetic rouge to make one last run at it for the most hated team in football.

Prise du jour: Reed Johnson goes all out vs. Nats

This is simply an appreciation of one of the finest catches I've seen. Reed Johnson, the scrappy center fielder for the Chicago Cubs, went all out in left-center to take extra bases away from the Nationals' Felipe Lopez in a tie game in the 5th inning on Friday.

Johnson is hardly known for his bat but earned a reputation as a throw-your-body-around type gamer with the Toronto Blue Jays. His catch against Washington was one of the finest you will see by an outfielder, between the distance he had to cover and the full out extension he had to make to reach the ball.

Here is the clip of that amazing catch, with broadcast calls courtesy of WGN Radio. Enjoy.

Chiefs come up big in Draft with Dorsey, Albert

The Kansas City Chiefs in my mind had one of, if not the, strongest drafts this past weekend. While losing Jared Allen hurts, they utilized the pick they acquired from the Minnesota Vikings and selected one of the best offensive lineman in the draft, this after they took a major step toward replacing Allen by selecting perhaps the best defensive lineman in the draft. Defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey and offensive guard Branden Albert will be plugged in immediately to the Chiefs lineup, as Kansas City has a major uphill climb after losing its last nine games in 2007.

For a team that has so many holes to fill, the Chiefs also added a top-notch cornerback in Virgina Tech's Brandon Flowers in the second round, then plucked Jamaal Charles, a running back from Texas, in the third round. After Ty Law was cut and Priest Holmes retired, depth at the cornerback and running back positions was extremely thin.

The Chiefs had 12 draft picks overall, and it would be no surprise if all of them were with the club come opening day. The Chiefs could have as many as eight new starters next year after a tumultuous end to last season.

Additionally, I will admit that often times you can't grade a draft class until after the ensuing season, but the Chiefs' success, or lack thereof, should be evident even sooner, considering the fact that many of these rookies could be asked to contribute right off the bat. My expectation is that like many young teams, the Chiefs will go through growing pains early and often, but the more experience their youngsters get, the stronger they will become as a team. If Dorsey, Albert, and Flowers can adjust quickly, the Chiefs rebuilding process should go smoothly. If not, there could be some lean years ahead in Kansas City.

Great teams draft for talent, not need

If you look at the track record of NFL teams that draft well over the recent years, it's because they don't simply draft for need, but rather the best available player out there. Sometimes that doesn't ring true, but why pass up a great player at one position just because you need a bigger upgrade at another position? As a Ravens fan, I got used to this. Ozzie Newsome has made his mark at doing just that, and with a plethora of Pro Bowl players his track record speaks for itself.

The Ravens aren't the only good example, but a good one nonetheless. They have always seemed to need offensive players, especially a quarterback, but still go for defensive talent because it's available and can help their team. They didn't necessarily need a tight end in 2001 because they still had Shannon Sharpe, but found a gem at the end of the first round in Todd Heap. They also didn't particularly need a safety when they were starting to rebuild in 2002, but they found a superstar in Ed Reed. Add defensive tackle Haloti Ngata to the list and it's no wonder they always seem to field a top-notch defense.

I will eschew discussing the Patriots because just about everything they do is shady. Instead another good example is as recent as last year's draft. The Minnesota Vikings had a 1,000-yard rusher in Chester Taylor and a lot of glaring weaknesses elsewhere on their offense and also with their pass defense. Yet Adrian Peterson was simply too good to pass up, and now Minnesota boasts one of the most dominant offensive players in football and a much more feared offense, even without a true quarterback.

Teams sometimes have needs that are simply too glaring to pass up, but more often there are players available that are simply too talented to pass up. Let's say you have a poor defense and a strong offense, especially on the offensive line. But by the luck of the draw one of the top offensive line prospects becomes available. What do you do, especially if you feel that the offensive lineman is more of a sure bet than the defensive player you covet? My opinion is you with the offensive lineman. A great player is a great player, no matter what you need.

Mild prediction: AFC champion will come out of South in '08

It would be a great injustice to one of the strongest divisions in recent memory in the NFL if it did not produce next season's AFC Super Bowl representative. Call it a prediction, or maybe just wishful thinking that the Patriots don't cheat their way to a fifth* big game appearance in eight years. Just consider that the last-place team, the Houston Texans, finished at 8-8 last year, something that has happened only a handful of times since realignment. The division produced the two AFC Wild Card teams, as three clubs, the division-winning Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tennessee Titans, all reached double-figures in wins. The combined winning percentage of the four teams in the division was .656, the best-ever in the NFL history.

This offseason, the Colts, as in the norm with them, stood pat in free agency, mainly keeping intact a team that has won at least 12 games each of the past five seasons, a first in the NFL annals. The Jaguars addressed one of their weaknesses by upgrading the wide receiver position, while the Titans also made significant additions to an average offense. The Texans are like the forgotten step-child, a franchise that has never posted a winning season in its five-year existence but who made significant strides to reach .500 last season.

Like the NFC East, the AFC South has four playoff-caliber teams that will duke it out over the course of the season. The Colts have won the division five straight years, but the Jaguars are hot on their coattails, and the Titans don't figure to go quietly either. The biggest issue for the Jaguars and Titans will be first overcoming the Colts before they can think about overcoming some of the other top teams in the conference.

My semi-prediction, if you will, is that either the Colts or Jaguars will represent the AFC in Tampa Bay in next year's Super Bowl, but don't be surprised if the Titans make a run at it. The Texans are solid, but at least a year or two away.

Chad for Anquan: Why not?

Swapping disgruntled wide receivers Anquan Boldin for Chad Johnson could be so simple. At the same time it could fail to erase any headaches the Arizona Cardinals and Cincinnati Bengals are feeling right now. Boldin and Johnson are among the game's top wideouts, but both are unhappy with their current squads. Boldin has never come across as a super-selfish, me-first kind of player. He has quietly put up big numbers for a team that is often out of playoff contention by October. Johnson, on the other hand, is as showy and attention-getting as almost anyone in football. His numbers speak for themselves, but unfortunately so does Johnson, sometimes too much. He has clearly wore out his welcome in the Queen City.

So why not simply swap the two players? Okay, maybe it really isn't actually that simple. But what if it is? What if both players are just craving a change of scenery? Both are dynamic receivers, so it's not as if either team would be losing much. Both are going to be big salary cap hits anyway, so why not? Boldin has kept his name out of police blotter, always a good sign for karma when you're headed to play for the Bengals. Johnson has never gotten into legal trouble either, but he has clearly damaged team chemistry for a team in desperate need of it. In Arizona he could team with Larry Fitzgerald to give the NFL one of its most potent one-two punches at receiver in ages -- maybe even ever.

In today's NFL, nothing is really that cut and dry. A simple swap of two frustrated receivers can't simply occur at the snap of a finger. But it's worth considering. Both players want out, and their teams could use to rid themselves of the distraction.

Alexander's release sign of the times

It's amazing how fast things can change in the NFL. Just two years after being named the league's MVP with a then-record 28 touchdowns for the NFC champion Seattle Seahawks, Shaun Alexander is unemployed. He was released today after eight years with the club. He leaves as their all-time leading rusher.

It was somewhat apparent this would happen when the Seahawks signed a pair of free agent running backs this offseason in the Cowboys' Julius Jones and the Lions' T.J. Duckett. But for one of the faces of the franchise, it was hard to imagine this day would actually come. At least so soon, anyway.

The man who graced the cover of Madden '07 will now be waiting by the phone for an offer from another club. There's no doubt he will find work quickly. But the shock will still remain.

Loyalty no longer exists in the NFL, if it ever did at all. Alexander was not only one of the most successful players in franchise history, but also one of the most well-liked and well-respected. But injuries hampered him the past two years, as he failed to top 1,000 yards after doing so the previous five seasons. And just as Ricky Watters was bumped out the door by Alexander, Alexander is being bumped out by Jones and Duckett.

Number 37 will likely be number one on a lot of teams' priority list, at least ones who need a running back. Where ever he ends up he does not figure to be the presence he once was in Seattle, where he once sat among the league's elite backs. The soft-spoken and oft-smiling Alexander is yet another victim of a vicious cycle. But heck, if Jerry Rice can be cut by the 49ers and Zach Thomas by the Dolphins, Alexander can be just as abruptly sent packing by the Seahawks. While his salary cap number made it a somewhat logical decision, it is still unfortunate to see the former MVP depart the Pacific Northwest.

Brewers: Without Sheets, less Parra to ya

I've grown tired of picking the same team every year and watching them unravel the same way at the end each time. I used to pick the Kansas City Chiefs for the Super Bowl almost every year under Dick Vermeil, and despite a top-notch offense they never even won a playoff game. I've started a similar trend with the Milwaukee Brewers, who at least finally broke the .500 barrier last season in narrowly missing the postseason for about the 50th straight season (actually it's only been since 1982, which just feels like 50 years because the Brewers haven't made the playoffs in my lifetime).

The Brewers have at least one bonafide superstar in ace starting pitcher Ben Sheets, who has been absolutely lights-out thus far. Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun are certainly stars-in-the-making for a potent Brewers lineup, but Sheets is the key for Milwaukee if they are to have any shot at a rare NL Central title. Sheets has spent far too much time on the DL the last three seasons, crippling an otherwise-mediocre Brewers rotation. This year's current staff also includes 2006 NLCS MVP Jeff Suppan, David Bush, and youngsters Yovani Gallardo and Manny Parra. The return of Gallardo brings much hope, but once again it's all about the Benjamin.

The prospect of Sheets being a dominant ace in a playoff series for Milwaukee is enticing because the rest of the Brewers' rotation is certainly competent to hold up its end and make them a legitimate title contender. They have no problem scoring runs, although holding leads is a concern with a shaky bullpen. But if Sheets is on his game, none of that would even matter. When healthy and thriving, Big Ben might be the best pitcher in all of baseball. For a franchise that hasn't played October baseball in 25 years, not having him out there is basically a death sentence.

Drafting first overall not such a priviledge anymore

Tim Couch is out of football. David Carr might as well be. Drafting number one these days is not only a risk, it's also a headache. The amount of guaranteed money teams are forwarding to the top pick is ludicrous considering these players have never played a snap in the NFL.

There's no exact science to guarantee that the first pick will be a success in the league. Sometimes they are an instant success, sometimes it takes time. For players like Couch and Carr, it's somewhat unfair considering they were thrust under center for poor teams from the get-go. For players like defensive end Courtney Brown, they simply never have the impact at the pro level that they did in college. For players like running back Ki-jana Carter, they simply can't stay healthy enough to be a factor.

If you are the Miami Dolphins, you have some options at number one. But trading the pick will be tough because no one wants to take on the process of negotiating a fat contract for an unproven player. In a draft with no clear-cut top pick, Bill Parcells is in a tough spot.

Jake Long, Matt Ryan, Darren McFadden. There are some big-time prospects with big-time question marks. They will demand money, and almost certainly get it. If they don't, they simply will holdout, because it's what almost everyone does these days. Then when they do play, they have a mountain of expectations to live up to. Generally it takes a special type of player to live up to that hype. For a franchise like Miami, they are hoping to hit the jackpot.

It would making picking first well worth their while.

Sporting tip: Can't stand 'em? Bet 'em

I learned a valuable and profitable lesson that offered me some comfort last October. My undying hatred for the city of Boston and especially the Red Sox led me to do something rather unorthodox. Sensing they would win the World Series with the baseball gods on their side, I knew I had to do something to ease the pain. So it dawned on me that I could actually benefit from my own misery by putting money on them, figuring that hedging my bet would let me win either way.

I am not much of a gambler so I did not front that much money, but 50 bucks in your pocket is 50 bucks. When the Red Sox were celebrating on the field in Colorado, my TV had long been turned off, but my wallet was a little fatter. I knew the entire baseball season was a waste, but at least I was a tad richer for it.

I also experienced the other end of the spectrum with this past Super Bowl. I bet the Patriots assuming a perfect season was a lock for them, and assumed it'd be a few more easy dollars. But when Tom Brady's desperation heave fell incomplete on fourth-and-20, I was emotionally richer although financially poorer. Nevertheless, the joy of seeing the Patriots' run at perfection spoiled was well worth the small amount of money I put on them. Once again, I was set either way. In all honesty though, this was better than winning a little pocket cash.

If you like to make the stakes a little higher, then you can probably cope with your hated team winning even better. If you're like me, petty cash offers at least some solace. Just moments ago I happened to catch online the fact that the Red Sox rallied from five runs down to shock the pathetic Rangers, which for me was like watching the same movie for the hundredth time. But the other day I bet the Sox to both win the AL pennant and the World Series, so I figure this charmed existence they are living will at least throw a few dollars my way at season's end.

Bottom line here folks is, if you're as passionate about sports as I am, you have at least two or three teams you hate with every fiber of your being. I've never been a proponent of the "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em" cliche, but this may be the exception. Place a small (or large) bet on your most hated sports teams, and either way you'll come out richer. For me, I hope by the end of October I am emotionally richer and financially poorer. But money is money, right?

Restoring the good name of Adam Jones

If your name is Adam Jones and you are a professional athlete, chances are people do not have a good association with you. Maybe that's because the most well known Adam Jones, commonly referred to as "Pacman", is one of the biggest thugs in the NFL. He is currently suspended from the league for repeated violations of the league's personal conduct policy, including a possible involvement in a triple shooting in Las Vegas last year.

But if you are a 22-year-old outfielder for the Baltimore Orioles, you are doing your best to restore the integrity of that name. This Jones is one of the baseball's bright young prospects, the key component of the trade that sent former Orioles ace Erik Bedard to the Seattle Mariners.

While "Pacman" Jones tries to make his way back to football, Adam Jones has quietly had a solid start for the surprising Orioles, collecting 14 hits in his first 54 at-bats including a homerun. But how unknown is he? It's not often a professional baseball player takes a backseat to another professional athlete AND a musician when you Google his name. Yet despite the relative anonymity, Jones is one of the fresh faces of the future for the struggling Baltimore franchise.

On the other end of the spectrum, "Pacman" Jones (if you hadn't guessed by now, no relation) is the poster child for bad behavior in pro football. He has drawn recent interest from the Dallas Cowboys but has yet to be officially reinstated by the league. Whether or not he continues and ultimately resurrects his troubled career remains to be seen.

In the realm of professional sports there are hundreds of Joneses, from the Atlanta Braves' Chipper to the Seattle Seahawks' Julius to the Philadelphia Flyers' Randy. But there are only a pair of Adams, and they could not seemingly be more opposite. The baseball version is doing his part to make people forget the bad memories of the football version.

Two instant classics, courtesy of the Manning Bros.

Even a heavy sense of bias can't keep me from calling the Patriots' last two postseason losses two of the greatest games in NFL history. First it was the Colts rallying from 18 points down in the 2006 AFC Championship Game, the largest comeback in championship game history. Then just this past February it was Eli Manning's last-minute touchdown lob to Plaxico Burress to knock off the previously undefeated Patriots.

Part of the reason I believe these were two of the best games ever was my hatred for the New England Patriots. But realistically the scenarios under which the games were played made them that much more memorable. First it was Peyton Manning trying to shed the label of big-game choke artist, especially when it came to playing the Patriots. After throwing an interception returned for a touchdown that put his Colts in a 21-3 hole, Manning and the Colts embarked on a frantic comeback to tie the game at 21-21. The two teams then traded a touchdown and a field goal before New England regained a 34-31 lead. After a huge defensive stand got Manning the ball back, No. 18 drove the Colts almost the length of the field for a game-winning touchdown. A Brady comeback attempt was then thwarted by the Colts defense, which many believed had hindered Manning's ability to lead the Colts to a Super Bowl in years past.

This past Super Bowl was one of the best Super Bowls of all time. After all, how many Super Bowls come down to the final minute? I still think the Rams-Titans classic was the best in Super Bowl history, but this one was a close second. The Patriots were attempting to become just the second team in NFL history to go through an entire season undefeated. The Giants were huge underdogs with a quarterback who also was seen as a big-game choker, if not a draft bust. The vaunted Patriots offense was held to a meager 14 points after shattering the points record in the regular season. David Tyree's incredible catch may go down as the best in history given the circumstances. But the image that will always stand out to me was Tom Brady being lit up for a sack on the final drive by Giants' rookie Jay Alford that all but sealed the deal.

For a team that has caught seemingly every break in the 21st Century thus far, whether legitimately or not, the Patriots have been on the losing end of perhaps two of the best games in recent memory, at least in the playoffs. Mr. Perfect Tom Brady has been picked by the Colts and sacked by the Giants in the final minute, when he is supposedly invincible.

Surely, the NFL has had its share of memorable contests in recent years. Who can forget Dwayne Rudd of the Browns throwing his helmet on the final play to allow the Chiefs the chance to kick the winning field goal? Or the 49ers rallying from 24 points down to shock the Giants in the 2002 Wild Card playoffs? But the Manning brothers' greatest hours, respectively, have not only come at the hands of the Patriots, but have also been as breathtaking as anything we have seen in the NFL.

Buffalo Bills: Welcome to Toronto

Sorry Buffalo, but get used to this. The Bills haven't made the playoffs since 1999, and they don't appear headed there next year. One place they are headed, however, is north of the border. Toronto's Rogers Centre will be hosting the first regular-season NFL game played in Canada on December 7 when the Miami Dolphins visit the Bills. Tickets will be anywhere in the $200 range on average, something absurd for Bills fans. But Toronto is a top-notch city (I should know, I live there), and the high price is nothing to be shocked about. Worse yet for Bills fans, who should be used to heartbreak by now, is that the home game they are losing is against arguably their biggest divisional rival.

I think it's great that Ralph Wilson is trying to dip into the Canadian market; Toronto is only 90 miles from Buffalo and there are plenty of Bills fans in the area. I don't even need to mention that the Rogers Centre is a much nicer place to watch a game than Ralph Wilson Stadium, perhaps the biggest dump in all of football.

I am not insinuating that the Bills should move to Toronto permanently, but playing once a year in Toronto is a great idea. Bills fans should embrace the idea considering their luck here can't be much worse than it has been of late in Western New York.

Cleveland is the ultimate sports heartbreak city

The Drive. The Fumble. Jose Mesa. The fact that LeBron James is only one player and not five. Whatever the reason, Cleveland always seems to be suffering from bad karma when it comes to sports. The Indians choking away a 3-1 lead in last year's ALCS, combined with Ryan Garko's big mouth, got me thinking that it really is a bad case of the sports gods frowning on the Mistake on the Lake (aka Cleveland).

The Browns, perhaps the worst name for a professional sports franchise, have really been left in the cold when it comes to the Super Bowl. In addition to being one of six franchises never to reach the big game, they are the only one of those six to not at least host a Super Bowl in their city. John Elway did them in twice in the late 80's, and they have barely smelled the playoffs since then.

The Cavaliers had a nice run in knocking off Detroit in last year's conference finals, but LeBron James was no match for the Spurs, who have a complete team, not just one superstar. The Cavaliers have never won an NBA title, and last year was their first-ever appearance in the NBA Finals.

And then there's the Indians. They lost two World Series in the 90's, including a heartbreaking, 7-game marathon against the Marlins in 1997. Blowing a 3-1 lead to Boston last year extended Cleveland's World Series title drought to 59 years.

Alas, there is no justice for Cleveland fans (not even David Justice, who went on to win a World Series only after departing Cleveland) when it comes to sports and notably championships. Ohio State is a winning collegiate program in nearby Columbus, but the fans of the Dawg Pound would much rather see their Browns, who will be featured in five prime time games next season, bring home the hardware. The city is championship-starved despite having some talented teams, and it's just a shame. But hey, it could be worse. Any of those teams could be the Chicago Cubs.

Goodell's Spygate "punishment" a joke

First of all, way to go 49ers. Way to finish 5-11 knowing that your first round draft pick belongs to, who else, the Patriots. When that draft pick was crappy offensive tackle Joe Staley, not even Defensive Rookie of the Year Patrick Willis. Second of all, way to make an example, Roger Goodell. Goodell's "punishment" for the Patriots years and years of blatant cheating was the Patriots losing their first-round pick "if they reached the postseason". That is laughable. What's more laughable is that Goodell figured it would sound harsh but knew all along New England would get a higher pick because of San Francisco's ineptitude as an organization. Docking less than a million dollars from one of the league's richest owners was merely a slap on the wrist.

The 15-plus screen passes the Patriots called against the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX, the Patriots' third* title in four years, should've sent up a red flag. Then again, no one seems to flag the Patriots. Least of all Goodell.

So while the new, stern commissioner is busy setting up ridiculous regular-season games in London and suspending players for going to too many strip clubs, the Patriots are continuing to ruin the integrity of the game. Maybe South Park put it best. In a recent episode chronicling Bill Beli-cheat, Cartman explains to a group of students, "If you cheat and win, you're a success... and when caught redhanded, say what all middle-aged white male cheaters say: 'I misinterpreted the rules'".

Belichick didn't misinterpret anything, except maybe Goodell. Even he couldn't have thought the commish would be so easy on him. Heck, Goodell even did the coach a favor by destroying all of the evidence.

Pete Rozelle must be spinning in his grave.

NFL schedule is out -- time to start planning

Because I am the consummate sports nut, especially an NFL nut, this is kind of a holy day for me. Maybe it is for others too. I'll play it safe and speak only for myself, though.

At 2 p.m. EST, the NFL Network and NFL.com simultaneously released the officially 2008 NFL schedule, and at about 2:01 p.m. my mind was racing with thoughts about which games I not only would look forward to watching, but also which games I might be attending. I enjoy checking out new stadiums, picking out intriguing matchups, preferably teams I have never seen live. Last year I had the pleasure of seeing Brett Favre play for the first time, combining that with my first trip to Arrowhead Stadium.

This year my top target destination is Dallas. After all, 2008 is the final year for Texas Stadium, where the Cowboys have called home since 1971. The Cowboys play in the NFC East, so right there that's three excellent home matchups. They also play Seattle on Thanksgiving and my hometown Ravens in the regular-season finale on a Saturday night in late December.

For most fans, the more casual ones, this is simply a day to peek ahead and seem who their teams play and when. Travel plans are still on hold for several months; rather, it's a day of speculation and anticipation. And in some cases, major questions.

My top question is, in a league that prides itself on parity, why do the Patriots have the league's easiest schedule? Why do the Chargers, who admittedly will be doing their fair share of traveling this year, have the second-easiest schedule? By New England's good graces, of which this decade they seem to have many, they get to face the pathetic NFC West and almost equally-inept AFC West. Their first four games are against teams that won a combined 13 games last year. Yikes.

At any rate, this April day represents the turning of the page from 2007 to 2008. The NFL Draft in two weeks will help culminate that process. But now that we know who plays who and when, it's time to start pondering -- and in my case, maybe even start planning.

Time for baseball to stop pretending everything is okay

Major League Baseball will probably never have a salary cap, which is tragic. As much as most baseball fans would like to cling to the fact that baseball has crowned seven different champions over the past eight years, it's now apparent that was just a faze, and a cover up for the real problems that the game still has. Parity really is non-existent.

This actually does not have to be another Red Sox/Yankees rant. As much as I would like to see a salary cap destroy the high the Red Sox are on, like the one the Yankees were on in the late 90's, it isn't just those two financial juggernauts ruining America's pasttime. The payrolls of the high-market clubs are skyrocketing. The Mets and Angels don't have the baseball gods smiling on them like the Red Sox and their horde of obnoxious bandwagoning fans do, but they are spending ad nauseum and will almost assuredly steal a playoff spot from a grittier and more deserving team that doesn't have the financial resources to hold up over a 162-game schedule.

It would be nice to enjoy the nice starts that teams like the Orioles, Athletics, or Marlins are having. But this isn't a 16-game season like the NFL. Eventually karma gets to the little guys and kicks them in the gut. Rest assured that on the flip side, the Red Sox will have a player overcome a heart attack or an awful bout with pneumonia in the midst of another title run, and ESPN will run twelve stories on them in a span of a week. A team like the Blue Jays, meanwhile, will stick around until August, suffer one or two key injuries, start losing, then blame it on that. We've all seen this movie before.

It's April, and the writing is already on the wall. It's time for baseball to start assessing the problem. Predictability is no fun in sports.

Devin Hester, You Are Ridiculous

By the time the 2008 NFL season rolls around, the Chicago Bears' Devin Hester may be considered the NFL's most versatile player. He is perhaps the game's most gifted athlete, on pace to shatter almost every kick and punt return record with an absurd 11 touchdowns in just two seasons. But in 2007, Hester was utilized as a wide receiver by head coach Lovie Smith, hauling in 20 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns.

While the Bears slipped to 7-9 last season and are hardly considered a major contender heading into next year, Hester has proven that he alone is worth the price of admission. His flare for the dramatic, which includes the only opening kickoff returned for a touchdown in Super Bowl history, is almost uncanny. The Bears, who lost their top receiving threat in Bernard Berrian this offseason, have tried to utilize Hester in the passing game. But as the game's premier return man, Hester has simply set a new standard.

With Chicago's new #23 standing back returning kicks, the Bears are virtually guaranteed of favorable field position. For those foolish enough to kick to Hester, the risk is tremendous. For those who choose to kick away from him, they suffer the consequences of a short kick and thus, a short field for the opposing offense.

A victim of a team devoid of big playmakers on offense, Hester's increased role was thought to have taken a toll on him last season. Instead, he nearly duplicated his extraordinary rookie campaign with five more return touchdowns while also pitching in some big plays on offense for a team that had its fair share of quarterback issues.

While the 2008 Bears might be a far cry from the club that reached Super Bowl XLI just two seasons ago, Hester makes them an instant attraction. He may in fact be the only player in all of football to validate the old cliche "he's a threat to score any time he touches the ball". Which is why, of course, Lovie Smith has tried using him in every which way possible.

When the Montreal Canadiens draw my interest

I really don't like hockey, and I should because I now live in Toronto. The Leafs, I'm told, suck. They haven't won a title since 1967. But the Canadiens, apparently quite disliked in my new neck of the woods, are suddenly my rooting NHL interest. Why? If you've read this blog enough it should be obvious. They are playing the Boston Bruins. The Bruins, who play in the same town as the Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics. The Bruins, who are trying to elevate their status with their fellow Boston franchises.

Last I heard the "Habs" were up 2-0 in the series, comforting news considering the Celtics could be on their way to an NBA championship themselves. The Red Sox are back at their recent winning ways already, and the Patriots have the 7th pick in the NFL Draft at month's end. If nothing else, a Canadiens' series win would provide a brief sigh of relief.

Pressure is on Rivers now

Once a New York Giant (for about a mere hour), Philip Rivers, one of three quarterbacks taken with the first 11 picks in the 2004 NFL Draft, has seen Ben Roethlisberger (taken 11th) and Eli Manning (first overall) win Super Bowls in their first four seasons. Rivers, who finally won a playoff game this past year (two, in fact), now needs to take the next step. But recovering from a torn ACL will only hinder that process, as the Chargers might be forced to start the 2008 season with Billy Volek under center.

The Chargers started 1-3 last season before rallying to win their third AFC West title in four years. Rivers showed incredible grit by playing with a torn ACL in the Bolts' AFC Championship game loss at New England. But once again San Diego came up short of its ultimate goal, and Rivers knows that, even with LaDainian Tomlinson in the backfield, the journey to Super Bowl XLIII falls squarely on his shoulders.

Calipari no longer feeling fried

It always seemed to be the worst of two worlds for Memphis head coach John Calipari. In the pro ranks, he simply couldn't win. A 72-112 overall record and no postseason wins marked two-plus failed years at the helm of the New Jersey Nets. In the collegiate ranks, Calipari was the coach who could always field strong teams yet never get them to the premier level. Despite entering this season with a career 373-134 overall coaching record in college, Calipari had only guided one team to the Final Four, his 1995-96 UMass squad. He has been a champion in the NCAA, but that was an NIT title with Memphis in 2002. His two previous best teams were his 2006 and 2007 Memphis clubs, which went a combined 66-8 in from 2005-07. Yet both of those teams were bounced in the Elite Eight, and one could only wonder if Calipari would ever deliver a championship.

But 2008 has arrived, and so have Calipari's Tigers. Finally.

Even entering the tournament at 33-1, many thought Memphis was the most vulnerable of the four number one seeds in this year's NCAA Tournament, especially with it's poor free-throw shooting. But with its rout of UCLA on Saturday, the Tigers are on the doorstep of destiny. As fate would have it, only another coach looking to shed the can't-win-the-big-one label, Bill Self, and the Kansas Jayhawks stand in the way.

Please, not the Celtics too

As if not enough obnoxious humans are walking the streets flaunting Red Sox caps and Patriots jerseys, just imagine another major pro sports team from Boston making a run at a title. I don't claim to know enough about basketball to say the Celtics can't develop their own players, but I seem to remember Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett starting their careers elsewhere. Garnett, an offseason purchase, is an attempt by a losing franchise to try and restore glory. Thanks to recent New England karma, the move has made the Celtics the top dog in the weak Eastern Conference.

The Spurs, Patriot-like in winning four of the last nine NBA titles, have somehow fallen back to the pack in many people's minds, and have taken a backseat in the media. ESPN, a Connecticut conglomerate, have used their status to implant the name "Boston Three Party" in people's minds, making the newfound Boston hatred that much easier to stir up.

So when it comes time for most of us to ignore the NBA Finals in favor of the baseball season starting to heat up in the early summer months, yours truly can only hope the Celtics do not follow in the footsteps of last year's Red Sox or the Patriots' three asterisk-marked titles from earlier this decade. Such a gruesome image it would be, the Irish parading all over Beantown pretending to care about the Celtics, when the reality is its just another excuse to be obnoxious, drink heavily in the streets, and rub it in that their once-pathetic sports tandem is riding high.

The Spurs, Lakers, Hornets, Pistons, and maybe a few surprise entries ultimately may have something to say about that. Let's hope so.