A Bit Of Everything Sports

Point Shots

~Tom Brady has been named SI’s Sportsman of the Year. A deserving winner for sure. This gunslinger from the Mighty Wolverines of Michigan, has won 3 of the last 4 Super Bowls and has progressed to one of the best QB’s in the league. The guy is a winner plain and simple and one of the best players in the league. Only question is that Lance Armstrong was overlooked yet again after a record 7th straight tour win. Perhaps this is easier for SI in the event that numerous doping allegations toward Armstrong prove to be true, SI will have a little less of a firestorm on their hands. But if infact Armstrong is clean a large injustice has been done. What he has managed to do, and obstacles that he has overcome deserves that honour as much or more then anybody. But congrats to Brady none the less.

~The run is over for The Michigan Wolverines. After 9 straight seasons of playing in a January Bowl game the Wolverines have dropped to a less prestigious bowl game this year. The Wolverines and Huskers will play in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Dec. 28. Not a bad run for the boys in blue. Michigan keeps intact it’s record 31 straight years with a Bowl appearance, the longest streak in the country. A small consolation perhaps, but better then it looked like it would be at times after a 3-3 start to the season.

~Looks like the Mets aren’t holding anything back this year. With a wave of off season trades and signings it is looking like they may finally be able to de-throne the Braves in the NL East. Pickups such as Delgado, Wagner, and most recently Paul LoDuca is starting to solidify a lineup with some very large holes last year. The infield is now very solid, starting pitching may be a concern but with the Braves having difficulty holding onto some key players (Furcal signing with the Dodgers), the door is finally open for other teams to step in.

~With all the talk of the two big rookie threats (Crosby and Ovetchkin) 2 blueliners are being slightly overlooked. Andrej Mazaros in Ottawa is having a great start to the year. Mazaros isn’t a flashy player and you may only notice him when he makes a mistake but he quietly goes about his business and is playing well beyond his 20 years. Then there is the monster that plays out west in Calgary, Dion Phaneuf. Phaneuf started making a name for himself in last years gold medal win at the World Juniors and has continued to grow since. Phaneuf can hit like a freight train and can play both the roles of a shut down D-man or an offensive threat.

~The #1 ranked Duke Blue Devils needed a dramatic half court buzzer beater to beat Va. Tech in a play that reminded many of the historic tournament game back in the Grant Hill/ Christian Laettner era back in the early 90’s. It is believed that that may have been J.J. Redick’s freshman season, but for some reason Redick was on the floor yet again? Kinda strange.

~~The high technology ''smart ball'' won't be ready for use at next year's World Cup of soccer.....didn’t know there was a World cup of Soccer, hurry people go out and buy stocks and futures of oranges!! This new “smart ball” apparently has a chip in it that sends an electric current to a wristband worn by the referee that will indicate when the ball has crossed the goal line. In soccer how often can you miss a ball that size going into a net that big?? What kind of morons are officiating these games? Can they really be as slow as those who actually play the game?