"Keep the restaurants and bars open a little later, Omaha---the Tigers and their faithful are coming!" In the best news for the Nebraska economy since the advent of corn's use in fueling our vehicles, the throng of LSU fans will be descending upon Omaha beginning later this week.  In my two trips to the College World Series, the number of LSU fans RV'ing their way to Meat Capitol, USA is astounding!  When restaurant managers/wait staff discover you're from Louisiana---it never fails---they ALWAYS say something along the lines of, "Man... are we glad to see LSU back here.  Those folks know how to party (eat, drink, shop, etc.)!"

Now, if only the Tigers can snap their two-trip string of two-and-bar-b-que in Omaha---the businesses of Omaha may be in for a banner June.

We leave for Nebraska on Friday morning---so expect much, much more on the CWS as the week progresses!! 

Twenty consecutive wins will get you noticed in the world of college baseball. LSU's school record winning streak has put the Tigers at the center of the sports' map. This comes after a couple of years where LSU had fallen OFF the baseball map. As LSU prepares to host a regional featuring Texas Southern, Southern Miss and a dangerous UNO (beat LSU two of three times this season) team, some Tiger fans have wondered aloud if the team would have been better off losing a game before the NCAA Tourney begins. That, my aluminum bat swinging friends, is proposterous! Why in the world would it ever be a good thing for a red-hot team to drop a game? Patriots fans felt the same way last year as their team rolled to 18 wins in 18 games.

Apparently, the believers in the philosophy of dropping a game feel a team with "too-good" mojo is just asking for trouble. "We can't possibly extend this winning streak to __ games (that would include a championship game)... so why not break the streak BEFORE the title tilt?" I'll tell you why not---because it would be a loss, people! Sports is about winning, not avoiding catastrophic coincidences.

If I'm an LSU baseball fan, I'm hoping the next loss for the Golden Guys comes sometime next March.

The Indians are expected to make a pair of moves on the roster today, clearing a spot for Aubrey by Saturday.  For the 11th overall selection of the 2003 June Amateur draft who has battled numerous injuries over the past five seasons, it's a promotion that will be well worth the wait.

By Rob Brennan

Time to take a step outside the "one-track" sports-mined blog.

After experiencing what the Shreveport area did last night, it was unreal.

I am originally from the northeast, and never saw flood waters like last night.  I've seen bad floods, but again, nothing ever like last night.  After last night's newscast, Fletch, Gerry May, myself, and many other on the KTBS staff got a chance to go out and cover some of the area's damage, and we also saw how bad some of the flood waters had risen.  Some stranded motorists told Gerry May that this was like a mini hurricane Katrina.

From what I saw, I feel city officials did a great job for the man power they had, they helped as many people as they could.

Now, it's time for clean-up, and driving around on Wednesday, I saw many places damaged, whick included homes, and even little league fields completly destroyed.  It may take some time, but the big picture in all this, no reported fatalities from the high waters, which in my opinion is the most important news in all of this.

By Rob Brennan

Alex Box closed it's regular season doors to LSU fans on Sunday.  It's been the home to Tiger Baseball for 70 years.  The Tigers have won five national titles and have played numerous NCAA regional and super-regional's in this facility.  The Tigers also have a winning percentage of over .787 at "The Box" and have led the country in attendance for the last 12 seasons.

These are the reason's why LSU fans and players will always remember "The Box."  But there is one reason that most fans are aware of, that I think is the most important.

Alex Box was a former outfielder for the 1942 LSU Tiger Baseball team.  He was good guy, originally from Laurel, Mississippi, and graduated with a petroleum engineering degree in the spring of 1942.

Box would meet his future wife, Earle, but would be called to fight for our country later that summer in 1942.  He made a deal with his girlfriend that she would get her education degree while he was off at war, and then they would marry when his World War II duty was over.

November 9, 1942, the day Alex Box became an american hero, and not many at the time knew it.  Box risked his life in helping destroy six enemy machine gun nests and an artillery emplacement in Algeria.  He earned the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army's second highest honor.

On February 19, 1943, Box continued to fight hard for his country at the age of 22.  During a fierce battle in Tunisia, Box's tank was destroyed by a German mine.  He was killed instantly.

May 28, 1943, the LSU Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to name the Tigers Baseball Stadium after Alex Box.

That is the reason why we remember Alex Box, that is the reason we remember why we enjoy baseball day in and day out at LSU.  I wish I could meet Alex Box, and perhaps one day I will, and on that day I shall just speak two words, "Thank you."

On the old sports calendar, mid-May is usually snooze time around here. Not this year. Meredith Duncan climbing the leaderboard of the LPGA Michelob Ultra With A Lime Open; Airline High School taking on Barbe in the 5A Baseball Semi-Finals, with a spot in Saturday's Championship game on the line; LSU closing out their final regular season in Alex Box Stadium (and riding a ten-game winning streak into Saturday's date with Mississippi State); The Saints opening their Mini-Camp with their 2008 draft picks and rookie free agents; And how about those New Orleans Hornets... two wins away from marching into the NBA Western Conference Finals.

It used to be easy to be one of "those guys." You know... "There ain't a darn-blamed thing to watch or keep up with between the NFL Draft and Training Camp." Now, those guys have mulitiple viewing options this weekend---but be careful fella's: Those Mother's Day gifts are going to buy themselves!

I am stunned. Shocked I tell ya'. Knock me over (YAAAAWWWWN) with a fake I.D. The Ryan Perrilloux era never blasts off thanks largely to Ryan Perrilloux errors. What should have taken place in February has come to fruition in May: Les Miles dismisses the athletically gifted quarterback from the Tigers today:

Miles may have had other good reasons to bid Perrilloux adieu'... ESPN reports the MVP of the SEC Championship game failed a recent drug test (Heck, even "I" made a "D" in Medical Terminology, the closest thing to drug testing in my milque toast life). Let's see... skipping class? Check. Missing team meetings? Oh, Yeah. (Allegedly) Take part in reefer madness? Duuuude.

Bossier-Shreveport BattleWings quarterback Gary Cooper said Tuesday he has left the team after being removed as starting quarterback.

"I was informed last night that I'm not starting," Cooper said.  "They had (their) reasoning, but couldn't believe it."

Cooper, who starred at Grambling State University and Booker T. Washington High, said the BattleWing coaching staff told him he was "not a good enough leader."

Cooper said he believes the coaches were looking for a reason to start backup quarterback Steve Panella.

"I'm going out there, playing, leading the league in some stats. Some of the guys are upset," Cooper said.

Cooper said he had no ill will toward BattleWings backup quarterback Steve Panella, who is expected to start on Saturday at Rio Grande Valley.

"I'm not going; I told them to trade me or cut me," Cooper said.  "If they want to keep me on the roster and block me from going to another team, that is their business. But it's all just coming out of nowhere and a lot of guys are upset."

BattleWings General Manager Butch Bellah said Cooper is still on the active roster and has not been released or traded.

Head Coach Jon Norris said Cooper is still a member of the BattleWings if he changes his mind and wants to rejoin the team.

"It will be evaluated at that time," Norris said.  "He's a good young quarterback, a good kid. We expect him to be a man and a good team member."  

Cooper is tied for the AF-2 league lead with 271 passing yards per game.  He is also second in the league with 27 total touchdowns and, overall, is in the top two in eight statistical categories.

KTBS' Tim Fletcher contributed to this report

Poor, Jody Lowery.  For the first time, her Memphis fan-dom has come back to haunt her.  Last night Kansas outlasted the Tigers... laying in the weeds, waiting for John Calipari's squad to do what most expected of the clanking crew: Miss Free Throws During A Critical Stretch Of The Game.

When CDR and Derrick Rose missed from fifteen feet with no one guarding them, the door was opened for a Kansas Komeback... Mario Chalmer's three with 2.1 seconds to play just cemented the inevitable: Memphis choked away their first national championship.  Why didn't a Tiger fould Collins brining the ball upcourt with less than ten seconds to play in regulation? Wow... rough way to lose, Memphis.

The good news is, Jody now "gets" to wear my old Kansas hat that I bought in 2001 in Kansas City when the Lady Techsters played in the NCAA Tournament in the city of BBQ.  This hat has been on my dome for many lawn mowings, many jogs through the city, various activities that brought the sweat out of my noggin and into the hat-band.  And now Jody will wear it.  She has to be proud.

Was Ryan Perrilloux an unruly customer at the Kona Grill in Baton Rouge Sunday night? Or, was the quarterback minding his own business in the Capitol City eatery, as the manager suggests? And for once, I completely agree with Glenn Guilbeau. As I mentioned on the radio show this morning, Les Miles owes an explanation of the Perrilloux situation to statewide fans and followers of the Tigers. As the highest-paid state employee in Louisiana history, Miles should be aware of his standing in this state---and how it appears that he is being led around by his nose by none other than Ryan Perrilloux. It reminds me of the old Seinfeld bit regarding aliens landing on earth and viewing folks taking their dogs for a walk. Who would they think is running things around here, the four-legged furry guys, or the people carrying a sack of poop behind the dog, awaiting the next deposit into the bag. Right now, Miles has a CVS sack just waiting for Perrilloux to take his next dump on the program.

Hey folks... Rob here.

Gotta get something off my chest that has been bothering me since 1999 when I started in the media biz at Virginia Tech.  Why do NCAA athletic programs think they are the boss of all media?

Now I know you, the fan, may not know what I mean.... but let me take you to the "media side" of college football.  It all started on Tuesday when KTBS went to LSU practice in Baton Rouge ((( cue flashback harp music ))).

After practice, as the media (including myself) gathered around to talk to Les Miles, we found out from a LSU S.I.D. that Miles would not speak. 

(S.I.D.'s are the people who work for the athletic department at universities who arrange media interviews with coaches and players)

So Coach Miles doesn't want to talk on the day we find out ole' Ryan Perrilloux is in trouble again... that's fine, it's his business to do so, and I respect that.  But what got me is when the S.I.D. said, "Coach Miles already told the players not to answer any questions about Ryan, and also said you are not allowed to ask any questions about Ryan or any off-the-field issues."

Haha, what??!!!  Folks, I hope you see what I am trying to say here, and one day I'll write a book about my experiences with S.I.D.'s.  I totally understand and have no problem if Les Miles does not want the players to talk about Ryan Perrilloux, why create more distraction? Right?

But on the flip side, we the media, have a job to do to get you, the fan, information about these issues that you want to know about. 

This bugs me, and always will.  NCAA athletic programs have just about 24-7 access to their athletes to train and tell them what to say and not to say to the media.  The NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL do it, and it works to their advantage (unless the player is a loose cannon, but you get my drift).

But for a division-I college football program to tell the media what they can and can't ask about?  Doesn't that raise a red flag for me, a reporter, and you, the fan? 

Hey guys, Rob here....have you heard?  The official start to the Major League Baseball season for teams that didn't play Sunday night (or in Japan) begins today.

As much as baseball is the "American Past Time", to me, Opening Day is just another game of a 162-game season.  The baseball season is too long, too boring, and lacks any "major drama" or excitement, unless we get another crazy Rangers-Orioles home run fest again.

I'm not knocking baseball, I grew up playing the sport, and went to my fair share of Phillies and Orioles games.  Going to a game itself is a great experience. 

But the way our country's fan-hood has evolved, I would never think ten years ago that I would be sitting here at the age of 28, and be more worried more about who the Eagles are going to draft in April than how the Phillies start the first few weeks of the season. 

So until about late June, mid-July... Major League Baseball, you're on the clock.

Pass the Advil. My brackets are not feeling too well. Perhaps it was the shot of Siena... or the Western Kentucky omelette. Did the Butler do it? Nooooo, they didn't, which is aiding the hurt. My only salvation in this year's bracket? Davidson and West Virginia fight on! Stephen Curry has roared into March like a Lion---will Wisconsin turn him into a rack of lamb (with a cheese wheel on the side!)?

The tournament has delivered enough chills and thrills to match the hype. Now it's time to settle down get down to the business of determining a national champion. So far, North Carolina... Louisville... Kansas... and Xavier have looked the best. I have a sneaky feeling the Cardinals can knock the Tar out of the Heels, IF the 'ville can escape Tennessee in the Sweet Sixteen. UCLA may have punched their ticket to the Final Four since they've already fulfilled the obligatory "barely-escape-the-upset" portion of the Tournament. And no, even though Memphis also had a narrow victory, they aren't in the same boat with the Bruins. The Tigers horrendous free-throw shooting will condemn them to spectators of the Final Four---and I believe it will happen against Tom Izzo's Michigan State Spartans in this round.

Former LSU Tiger Jacob Hester paid a visit to his hometown this weekend.  It's nice to hear Hester and his wife were able to spend the Easter holiday with family, including his LSU family.

The former Evangel Eagle made appearances at Tiger Island inside Reeves Marine and was also a guest of honor at the Mudbugs game on Saturday night.  Our KTBS-3, including Fletch and myself, got to hang around and follow Jacob around at both these events, and what I've learned about Hester is what everyone has told me since I moved to Shreveport.... Class Act.

Almost 1-Thousand LSU fans came to Tiger Island to visit Jacob Saturday morning, and Jacob wasn't rude, talked to each and every fan, and made each every person feel like it was a moment of their own.   I didn't agree that it should cost fans $25, then again, I don't think Jacob did either.  You got to understand in the world of dealing with agents and events like this, moo-la is always involved.  Why I am saying this, you could tell Hester didn't have money on his mind during the autograph session, he had each fan on his mind.

I was convinced of this claim when I followed Hester around at the Mudbugs game later that night.  When we walked off the ice after the cerimonial puck drop, Jacob went out of his way to shake the hands of fans and sign autographs, free of charge!

We already know Jacob Hester "the football player" will live in LSU Football lure forever.  "The person" isn't that far off at becoming a legend either.

This may be the most random thought coming from the Brennan cranium.  But as the NCAA tournament begin's today, there is one thing I've noticed about every game I've seen on the tube.... the "NCAA" is crooked.

Like Fletch, I'm a big fan of uniforms, colors, classic throw-backs, and also a huge fan on how sports franchices decorate their homefield / court (how they cut the grass, do they paint the lane, etc.).

What I've noticed, and can't seem to understand, is why the "NCAA" emblem on every center court, in every arena, is off center.  Just check out a game and you'll see what I mean.  Each court has a HUGE blue circle at mid-court with the "NCAA" written on it, good touch, classy, I agree.  But the actual "NCAA" is not centered with the blue bubble.  Why?  and it's like this in every arena with every NCAA emblem you see.

I remember seeing this a few years ago at the 2004 Women's NCAA Tournament, and it's been bothering me since. At first when I saw it, I thought it was an accident.  But after doing research, all NCAA emblems have the letters "NCAA" about 10-20% below the mid-way point of a circle or blue bubble.

Now last checked, the NCAA represents college scholars, and "smart people" with college degree's... isn't it unatural for the eyes to see the emblem like this (a'la off center)? 

This rant may back the claim up that it is unatural and it does bother the ole' peepers.  So enjoy the game, and if you get an unexpected headache while watching the madness, don't say I didn't warn ya.

The D.J. breaks out the wheels of steel tomorrow, mixing a blazing mix of hardwood harmony to get The Big Dance going. The first game of the NCAA Tournament features the SEC Spinderella Georgia Bulldogs taking on Xavier. I like Wolverine and Storm in this one, yep---take the X-Men. Kansas will barely break a sweat against Portland State en route to a route. To finish the lunch-time trifecta, Temple meets Michigan State. The Owls will pull off the first upset of the day, as a (12) twelve seed, sending the fifth-seeded Spartans home.

In the quartet of afternoon games, I just don't think Kentucky is as good as Marquette; Baylor will shoot lights out and upset Purdue; A Golden Flash is better than a Runnin' Rebel; and Pitt will be tested by Oral Roberts, but the Panthers pass the exam by eight points.

It's not brunch, since it's between lunch and dinner---I'll go with dunch---at four o'clock, the brainiacs get together. In a Cornell-Stanford matchup, pick the brains who are better ballers---Feed The Tree, Cardinal win.

Thursday's evening session gets underway with the marquee matchup of the day---USC's O.J. Mayo facing Kansas State's Michael Beasley. The Wildcats can't hold the Mayo, USC moves on. Duke stomps Belmont... the Aggies and BYU will fight tooth-and-nail, Gig 'em wins in the end. My darkhorse for the Final Four is Wisconsin, so of course I believe they will Badger Fullerton. I don't think Arizona should even be in the field---West Virginia will take care of that piece of business by 9:45 pm Thursday. My other sleeper pick, Notre Dame tries to end George Mason's Cinderella run before the ugly step-sisters can think of some chores. Fightint Irish will win as will UCLA, my pick to win it all.

Whew... and that's just Day 1 of the tourney! Bring it!! It's been brought-on!!

It's that time of year where coaches in football get offered new jobs, which means it's also that time of year the panic buttom is hit in many athletic programs around the country.

As of now, 21 East Texas High Schools are looking for or already hired a new football coach.  Why such a domino effect of change?  Some of these coaches who bolted or resigned, were only at their last school for a few years.  Is it they want more money?  Is is pressure from the school to win? 

Whatever the reason, the musical chair game is in full swing, and don't expect it to end for about another month or so.

For more on the East Texas Coaching Carousel, check our buddies out at smoaky.com.

Here is a link:

http://www.smoaky.com/news/View.php?ArticleID=1207

Not since the old "Mr. Bubble," days have I been this anxious about "Bubbles." Will the Arkansas Razorbacks move "off the bubble" and into "lock" position in terms of their NCAA Tournament status? Do the Hogs need a win over Vanderbilt today to cement a spot in the Field Of 65? I hope not... 20 wins, an above .500 record in the SEC and a top 15 Strength of Schedule should be enough to punch the Pigs Ticket to "The Dance." And... I think other bubble teams bursting has helped their cause as well---Arizona State, Oregon, Ole Miss, VCU, Villanova, Arizona, Dayton, Houston, Baylor and Florida all lost---and all of those teams were outside the "lock" spots according to Bracket-Brainiacs.

With that said, as a Hogs fan, I expect the worst and the Razorbacks to be slighted. The best way to avoid any argument is to take care of business this afternoon in Atlanta against the Commodores.

And how about those NSU Demons? Mike McConathy's men fire up Southeastern Louisiana last night, 71-51 to move into the Southland Conference semi's. The Demons take on top-seeded Stephen F. Austin this evening---and are two wins away from their third NCAA Tournament appearance.

We will also be keeping on eye on fabulous freshman, James Anderson at Oklahoma State. The Junction City, Arkansas native led the Cowboys to a quarterfinal win over Texas Tech in the Big XII Tournament Thursday---going to take a bigger effort today to keep the 'Pokes season alive: Oklahoma State meets top-seeded Texas at 11:30a.m. in Kansas City.

March Madness truly begins this week with 30 conferences determining their tournament champions. Cinderella comes in all shapes and sizes... and beginning tonight with four bids on the line, the slipper comes in the form of a sneaker.

Looking for a Mid-Major Conference team to make some noise in the Big Dance? The easy choice: Gonzaga... Mark Few has the Zag's Zigging at the right time, plus they have a wealth of NCAA Tournament experience. For my money, though... I'm going with Davidson (owners of a 21-Game Winning Streak as well as a Lonely Heart) and (Love The) Drake. The Bulldogs won the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament yesterday and are heading to the NCAA Tourney for the first time since 1971.

The good folks at Louisiana Tech are feeling pretty froggy today after announcing head football coach, Derek Dooley will take over for the retiring Jim Oakes as Tech's athletic director. I think Tech's football program is moving in a positive direction under Derek---but I wonder if this is the right move at this time in Tech athletics. When Derek's father served as head coach/AD at Georgia, the landscape was different in college football. Fans and media didn't have the internet to exchange information; get scoop on current players and incoming freshmen; college football wasn't a "year-round" sport. Coaches, making ten-to-twenty times more money than they did during the 70's hay-day of dual-roles, have so much more pressure to succeed immediately. Fan message boards and various blogs delivering "inside" news and providing round-the-clock forums have stirred up a hornet's nest of interest. Due to the time a coach must devote to his job, it makes me wonder how Derek can successfully take off his coaching hat and knot his athletic director tie without either position suffering from lack of attention.

However, I HATE it when outsiders (like me in this instance!) bury a guy before he gets the chance to prove himself. Derek, with his law degree and pedigree, has already shown his DNA and mental makeup can achieve where others may have failed. In this instance, I hope for Tech's sake and Derek's, that success awaits on the field---and behind the desk.

What on earth will John Madden and Chris Berman do now for a man-crush? Brett Favre, according first (I believe) to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, is retiring. There are those close to the famed #4 that say the long time Packers quarterback had grown disenchanted with: A) the lack of professionalism/dedication by some of his younger teammates; and B) the teams' failure to bring in a big-time pass-catcher (i.e., Randy Moss).

What will Favre's legacy be? One of the greatest QB's of all-time? Let us know where you would rank Favre...

• Montana
• Unitas
• Elway
• Brady
• Peyton Manning
• Marino
• Favre
• Aikman

Where does Favre belong on that list?

Interesting note... plenty of local ties to the soon-to-be-former Packer. Calvary head coach, Doug Pederson is a former teammate and good friend of Favre. NSU Demon alum, Craig Nall is also a friend and could be the guy to replace Favre in the Packers lineup, if Nall can beat out Aaron Rodgers for the job.

Sing with me!! Seriously, is there anything better about being a sports fan than the upcoming weeks? March Madness; Opening Day; The Masters; The NFL Draft; locally, the just-completed Girls Top-28 along with the in-session Boys Top 28; and of course, Mudbugs Hockey post-season play.

Personally, there is nothing like March Madness in my world. That first Thursday and Friday of the Tournament is a little slice of Hoops Heaven on earth. But I won't turn the channel on any of the other big events. And as far as covering a sport? The Girls and Boys basketball tournaments are absolutely incredible.

So... what's floating your boat right now in the ocean of sports?

The NFL Free Agent Frenzy is well underway, and the Saints are major players.  Apparently, the Fleur de lis Fella's are much like Elaine Benes fictional boyfriend, they're exporter-importers.  Gone? Offensive lineman, Jeff Faine (to Tampa Bay for $20 Million over the first three years, $15 Million guaranteed money) and Devery Henderson (also a possibility to land in Tampa); Coming on board? Former Jets linebacker, Jonathan Vilma, in exchange for a conditional draft pick in 2009.  In addition, Chargers running back, Michael Turner is in the Saints sights as is... Giants tight end, Jeremy Shockey? Yeah... so, the Saints aren't going to stand pat this offseason---and with Vilma on board, Sean Payton's first move is shoring up the defense.  Smart, Sean... VERY smart.

Another match, another win for David Toms at the WGC Match Play Championships. In his opening round match against defending Masters champion, Zach Johnson, Toms holed out a short birdie putt on 17 to win, 2-and-1.

The Airline and LSU alum is now 23-7 in Match Play Championship competition, including a 6-0 mark on the way to the title in 2005. The twenty-third win leaves Toms two victories behind Tiger Woods for the most in Match Play Championship history.

Toms key to victory? "I got off to a good start, I was a couple up, early on," Toms said. " Zach holed out from the fairway (No. 5) and made a nice birdie on four... got back to even and then we just kind of played solid golf the rest of the way." Toms added, "For the most part, I drove the ball well and scored really well... I'm looking forward to the rest of the week."

And perhaps taking over Tiger as the most prolific winner in Match Play Championship history.

Whew... I feel like I had the wind knocked out of me. Wow. I did not see that punch to the ol' basketball-bread-basket coming. Centenary, at home against a team that had lost their last ELEVEN road games, was beaten like a set of erasers. IPFW (which is either the International Pipe-Fitters & Welder's club team or Indiana University-Purdue University Ft. Wayne) rolled out to a 26-4 first half lead before settling for a 41-15 halftime advantage. The Gents played "scrappy" in the second half, but to no avail---a lopsided loss in front of a lot of empty bleachers.

The news isn't much better in Ruston. Louisiana Tech suffered their ninth loss in nine WAC Games as Boise State broke the Bulldogs down eventually, 73-61.

The two local/area teams have something in common though. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Rob Flaska (Gents) and Kerry Rupp ('Dogs) have young teams--and, kids that could really help the program, ineligible (transfer) or hurt. As rough as the sledding is now in the Gold Dome and The Thomas Assembly Center, it doesn't mean fans should pull their support. It's evident these guys need all the help they can get.

Former Arkansas Razorback, Woodlawn Knight and Buffalo Bills quarterback, Joe Ferguson is once again fighting for his life at M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston. Click here for updates on Joe's condition.

Current Arkansas Razorback, Ryan Mallett--who transferred from Michigan in January---would love to be on the field for the Razorbacks during the 2008 season. Impossible, right? You know, that whole NCAA Rule that prohibits transfers from one Football Bowl Subdivision school to another from playing for their new university for a full year? Well, the Mallett family has petitioned the NCAA to alter the rule for Ryan. When Rich Rodriguez was hired as Michigan's coach, EVERYONE knew Mallet's days as a quarterback for the Wolverines were numbered. Mallett is a classic drop-back passer---Rodriguez runs the "spread option," offense---which relies on an elusive, mobile quarterback. The Malletts contend (rightfully) that Ryan shouldn't be punished for 18 months (length of time he would go without playing in a game for Arkansas) just because the school he originally signed with brought in a new coach who uses a system counter-productive to fit Mallett. Keep an eye on this---could be a watershed case.

The Giants did the unthinkable---they mussed Tom Brady's hair and wrecked the Patriots shot at joining the Dolphins as teams with a donut under the "L" at the end of the season.

In my personal opinion, this was the best "game" in Super Bowl history---I know there have been other nail-biters and down-to-the-wire finishes in SB history---however, due to the historical nature of the win (actually, the historical nature of the loss), the manner in which Eli Manning led the Giants downfield for the game-winning touchdown (complete with the greatest play in Super Bowl History---admit it) and the pure-football mode the Giants defense played in throughout, to me, makes it number one of the 42 games.

And could there be a more classless coach in professional sports than Bill Belichick... forget the ridiculous "costume" he wears (A hoodie? Indoors? In the desert?), the entirety of "Spygate," the alleged trysts, and the lack of respect for an opponent (win or lose, the guy is a jerk to the opposing teams-coaches)... his smarminess and worminess makes me root against any team he coaches.

Whew! I feel MUCH better with that off my chest.

Has Media Day at the Super Bowl "jumped the shark"? From the foreign "correspondent" proposing marriage to four (4!) quarterbacks... to the 8-year old "reporter... to the "American Idol" girl... to the dude dressed as a wizard (would still pay money to see Joe, Mark and Skip in those outfits, "conjuring up forecasts")... is it really necessary?

In a word: Yes. H-E-Double-Hockey-Sticks, Yes. The NFL is more stuffy than the McNeil-Lehrer Fan Club, so a little goofiness (okay--- a LOT of goofiness) is welcome in my book. As much as the players "act" like the media is the worst thing since hotel security, most of the guys eat up the attention and weirdness. For the only time during a grueling 5-month season, they can let their guard down and relax.

By the way, even though a flu bug has infiltrated the Giants camp, I'm sticking with my pick of a New York Giants victory this Sunday.

So... Tony Romo has dumped ^? Uh... okey-dokey Mr. Quarterback. Apparently, OK! Magazine has all the scoop (here)

... Tony just wants to be "friends." Friends? There isn't a woman worth her weight in starletry that wants to be "friends". Apparently, the Cowboys signal-caller seriously considered throwing the relationship into the third row of Texas Stadium after all the scuttlebutt surrounding the "curse" of Jessica. One of Jess' (we're tight like that) pals says the singer/actress wanted Romo to move to L.A. but Romo wants to keep his boots in Texas. Thus, a simple excuse appears for Romo to cut ties to the Dallas Daisy. Cowboys fans probably aren't rejoicing as much as they would have had this incompletion come prior to the Giants game. There's always next year, Cowboy fans---and remember... Brittany is available!