Note:  Sorry for the hiatus.  I've been sick and am writing a book as well.  Don't worry, you didn't want my football picks anyway.  Super Bowl pick to come later this week. 

Twenty years ago today “stranger things have happened” was redefined.  Not since David slew Goliath had such an upset came to pass.  The event went off at 42-1 against our new David.  Think about that.  42 to 1.  That’s the same return that a bank would give you nowadays and at this point I’d say giving your money to the bank for a 2.5% return is still a bigger gamble.  And that’s because nobody could beat Mike Tyson.  Not only could nobody beat him, but also, nobody could even make a dent.  He won fights before he went into the ring.  He intimidated world champions the way a schoolyard bully took lunch money from a 5-year old.  Don’t believe me?  Ask Michael Spinks, or anyone of the 33 fighters Tyson had knocked out during his 37-0 start to his professional career.  You didn’t beat Mike Tyson but rather you just hoped you didn’t lose badly enough to spend a week in the hospital.  Better to take a decent shot, stay down, then have him come over and give you a kiss afterward.

 

Buster Douglas likely would have had the “take a shot then stay down” mentality.  This was a guy who, in a nip and tuck fight through nine rounds, gave up in the tenth.  And it’s for that reason that when the fight was announced that people either said, “who’s Buster Douglas?” or if they knew who he was said, “seriously, this guy has no chance; he must need the money.”  And that was probably true.  Buster was next to broke and on top of that, his wife had just left him. 

 

But with 23 days left until his big fight halfway around the world in Toyko, Japan, Buster Douglas’ life was turned upside down.  Buster Douglas had a best friend, a lifelong best friend.  The two talked every day and she was his rock in his rocky life.  23 days before his date with Tyson, that best friend died.  Unfortunately for Buster Douglas, she was not only his best friend, but she was his mother.  Losing his mother deeply affected Buster Douglas as it would anyone, especially someone with such a great relationship with his mother. 

 

Buster Douglas had never been a gym rat.  He had never really trained hard and while he loved boxing, he didn’t seem to love it enough to go the extra mile as other elite fighters have gone.  But 23 days before the Tyson fight that all changed.  The old Buster Douglas seemingly went to the grave with his mother.  The new Douglas emerged determined to fight in his mother’s honor and, maybe more importantly, determined to do whatever it took to make his late mother proud.

 

Mike Tyson, on the other hand, treated the fight as just another cake walk.  His training camp wasn’t anything special and hadn’t been for some time since his trainer D’Amato’s death a few years prior.  Tyson’s focus wasn’t there and it seemed as though he either believed his own hype or just spun out of control with the serpents around him trying to make their way off of Tyson’s work.  Mike Tyson was the bread winner for a hundred-person entourage.  That’s a lot of pressure for such a young, troubled man.

 

When fight night came, those who stayed up late enough to watch the mismatch halfway around the world were expecting another microwave minute fight.  After all, this was a Tyson fight, an event.  The intimidating champion who came out to the sound of chains, clad in plain black trunks, was in the building.  It wasn’t a fight as much as it was an execution.  Tyson was the closest thing to Maximus in The Gladiator that the sport had ever scene.  The crowd expected massacres and cheered them on when they transpired. 

 

People expected Buster Douglas to play his role, the Washington Generals to Tyson’s Harlem Globetrotters.  Walk in, touch gloves, go down for the count.  Only Buster Douglas didn’t get the memo.  Not only that, but he also didn’t get the memo that he was supposed to be intimidated by Tyson.  How could Tyson hurt him more than he hurt from the loss of his mother?  How could Tyson make Douglas cower when Douglas was fighting for his mother’s honor?  The answer?  He couldn’t, and it was evident from the start of the fight.  Buster Douglas was trading with Tyson, but not in the way others who seemed to be throwing prayers out in the past had done.  Douglas was using his size and reach to his advantage.  He was landing jabs, and he wasn’t backing up.  DOUGLAS was the one imposing his will on this fight.

 

And so it went for 8 rounds until Tyson finally landed a huge uppercut.  Douglas went down in a heap and most expected the fight to end.  But by some miracle, Douglas got up just in time (some say the count was long but Douglas clearly was just waiting as long as possible; he would have made it up anyway).  The round ended, but Tyson smelled blood in the water.  Tyson re-emerged like a bat out of hell, but Douglas refused to back down.  Instead, Douglas fought fire with fire.  He treated Tyson with the same respect that Tyson had shown other opponents.  And then, in the tenth round, the impossible happened.  Down went Tyson, for the count.  He took his mouthpiece up and gave up against a fighter who, for the first time in his career, fought with honor and pride.  Talking about his mother’s death to this day brings Buster to tears.  But he speaks proudly of what he accomplished that night in Tokyo.

 

A shocked world woke up the next day when it read or heard about its new champion but Buster Douglas spoke as if he had done just what he knew he was capable of.  It is amazing how people can find out what their true potential in life holds when it emerges in the sporting arena.  Buster Douglas lived up to his, if only for one night, and I guaranteed you it still brings a smile to his mother’s place while she watches down on him from above.

These playoffs are difficult to figure out until you realize that you have no prayer at getting it right.  The playoffs have become beyond unpredictable to the point where, well, is anybody talking about the fact that wildcard teams routinely win Super Bowls, including 6 seeds?  Would you be shocked if Philadelphia won the Super Bowl?  Surprised, sure.  Shocked?  No.  They're a ton of people's upset special to get to the big game even though they just got smoked in a meaningful game at Dallas, the same Dallas that is led by Tony Romo and Wade Phillips, a tandem that has combined for negative fifteen clutch plays and calls in the last five years of meaningful games.  So just throw the teams in a hat (except the Jets) and call it a day.  All that said, I'm going to try and make sense of it all.

AFC WILDCARD

Cincinnati over New York Jets

The Jets have Mark Sanchez at QB in an away game against a solid defense.  He's a rookie.  He throws a lot of interceptions.  Sometimes it's simple.  Unfortunately this is the only easy call of the playoffs.

New England over Baltimore

I really don't like this game and it has zero to do with Wes Welker.  Flacco looked good in the playoffs last year and I could see Ray Rice absolutely shredding New England's tame defense.  But I went with New England simply because I've spent the last five years hating myself every time I've gone against New England in the playoffs.  Then again, they burned me in the Super Bowl against the Giants.  Oh whatever, the Ravens' QB has a unibrow.  That can't be good, can it?

NFC WILDCARD

Dallas over Philadelphia

The Eagles gave their courage award to Michael Vick.  Karma has to come back to bite you at some point.  Pun intended.  The Eagles don't have a recipe for stopping the Cowboys' offense.  Their cook unfortunately left us in the offseason.  Jim Johnson could have won this game.  His replacement and Andy Reid cannot.

Green Bay over Arizona

Green Bay went from the Houston Texans featuring David Carr circa 2003 to the most feared team nobody's talking about.  Their O-line got healthy.  They're protecting Aaron Rodgers and they have a lot to prove.  Pretty good combo.  Of course Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald could win this by themselves.  But I talked myself into the Packers in the preseason and they're looking like the team I thought they'd be, or as the Cardinals would say, they are who I thought they were.

AFC DIVISIONAL ROUND

Indianapolis over Cincinnati

Does anybody really need to be talked into this?  Cakewalk.

New England over San Diego

We know Norv Turner can win in the regular season, but how excited for you to see how he blows it against Bellichick in the playoffs?  He's going to have the Henry Winkler in The Waterboy face (pre-Bowl game) going the entire game.  And while I know running the ball isn't as important as it used to be, but it still counts in the red zone and LaDainian Tomlinson three years out of his prime and another RB my size are not going to do much.  I like the Pats in a close one.

NFC DIVISIONAL ROUND

New Orleans over Green Bay

My toughest call to make thus far.  I just see the Superdome being louder than any place I've ever been in my life.  Their crowd wills them through this one.  Who dat?

Dallas over Minnesota

Brett Favre has proven that he can't win this game and it's been for the past several years now.  Dallas has enough weapons to punish the Vikings when they turn the ball over and between Adrian Peterson's fumblitis and Brett Favre's picks, Minny turns the ball far too often. 

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP

New England over Indianapolis

You know who likes the talk of "New England can't win without Welker?"  Bellichick.  This guy won with Troy Brown as his best wideout and defensive back.  I'm pretty sure he can light a fire under Randy Moss.  And I really don't like Jim Caldwell in his first tough playoff game.  Peyton Manning is the X-factor and it's tough to bet against him, but New England might be hungrier for this one than the Colts.

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP

New Orleans over Dallas

Again, that Superdome will be rocking and Tony Romo and Wade Phillips are on the opposite sideline.  I think the Saints light up the scoreboard early and often while the Cowboys struggle to run the ball then fall in love with the pass at the wrong times.  THIS IS NEW ORLEANS!

SUPERBOWL

New Orleans over New England

All is right with the world and while the city might not be out from under the water both literally and figuratively, it's an event like a New Orleans Super Bowl that can make everything right, if only for a day or two.  So, as I've already acknowledged that the playoffs are impossible to predict, why not pick the number one seed that also happens to be the Cinderella?  Go Saints!

Happy New Year everybody!  And as a gift to you, I've compiled my bests and worsts of the first decade of our new millennium.  

Best Team of the Decade:  Los Angeles Lakers

Yes, I know this may seem like a home town pick, but objectively, a 3-peat, rebuilding couple of years and then a fourth championship?  I know the Patriots were impressive, but the nod should go to the Lakers.  The Kobe to Shaq years were dominant and this last season featured one of the most talented all-around teams you'll find. 

Worst Team of the Decade:  Baltimore Orioles and New York Knicks

Both mastered the art of spending a ton of money with horrific results.  I know there were teams like the Royals who were just plain awful, but at least they were awful while spending no money.

Goal of the Decade:  Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 2004 for Ajax

This was a tough decision.  There was Henry's majestic turnaround finish shortly after the decade started and then there was Messi's goal in which he dribbled through an entire team en route to a goal that took us back to the days of Maradona.  But ultimately, this was such an amazing piece of work that I couldn't help but put it in the top slot.  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgqsaDnsEq8)

Baseball Game of the Decade:  New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox, ALCS Game 7, 2003

Aaron bleeping Boone.  Little doesn't pull Pedro.  Bloop single.  Posada.  You remember.  And then the hanging knuckle ball that dashed the Red Sox Nation's collective hopes.  Drama to the fullest.  (http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=3593258&categoryid=null)

Basketball Game of the Decade:  Duke vs. Maryland, 2001

The Miracle Minute.  Down 10 with a minute to go.  Comeback and they took it in overtime.  Maryland dominated the whole game, one that featured quite a few guys playing in the NBA today.  It was tough for me not to put the Horry shot, Fisher at 0.4, or UCLA/Gonzaga here.  But this game was played at the highest level and had a finish you couldn't belive.  Listen to the call.  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9_pPqWfI84)

Note:  Drake/WKU in March Madness might have been more dramatic, but it was a game involving Drake and Western Kentucky.  I gave the nod to Duke/Maryland.

Football Game of the Decade:  Texas vs. USC, BCS Championship at the Rose Bowl, 2006

I know there are a lot of Giants fans who think the Helmet Catch Super Bowl was better, but honestly, the 2006 Rose Bowl was a beautiful thing to watch from start to finish.  It had the momentum changer with Reggie Bush's pitch to the other team and unbelievable performances by a slew of players, most notably Vince Young.  He took over the game.  I like Bill Simmons' take on the Granddaddy.  Here's his running diary.  (http://proxy.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/060105)

Boxing Fight of the Decade:  Corrales-Castillo I, 2005

There isn't a close second here.  The fight would have been a contender for this spot before the most amazing round of the decade took place.  Words can't describe the courage shown and the drama that ensued.  Here's Round 10.  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imZaiGJgbsw).  For trilogy of the decade I have the Morales-Barrera trilogy edging Vazquez-Marquez.  Both featured true warriors, amazing action, and top 10 pound for pound guys, but Morales and Barrera actually hated each other.  For that they get the nod.

Play of the Decade:  Tyrone Protho, 2006

I know most people go for moments that have greater significance but I think I could go a whole lifetime before seeing a catch as amazing as this one.  He's blind to the ball when he catches it, traps it behind the defender, then holds onto the ball as they flip over each other.  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2ikUyrOhkg)

Song of the Decade:  Soulja Boy - Crank That, 2007

Now I clearly don't think this was the top song of the decade based on quality.  This is a sports column and as far as songs that permeated the sports world and engrossed athletes while hyping crowds at the same time, this one can't be topped.  We saw the dance in an NBA Dunk Contest and roughly 1,000 football games.  Here's my favorite Soulja Boy moment because just in case you disagreed with my pick, how many songs get Verne Lundquist going?  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qLkHr61Z2M&feature=related)

Worst song of the decade:  Every Black Eyed Peas song and This is Our Country by John Mellencamp.

Coach of the Decade:  Tony Dungy

Spygate took Bellichick out of the running, and Phil Jackson had more to work with than Dungy did.  More than that, Tony Dungy coached and won in professional football without ever raising his voice.  He commanded respect and gave it out in kind.  A remarkable guy and amazing coach.

Note:  I was going to have a worst coaching move of the decade but couldn't decide between Grady Little and Pete Carroll on 4th and 1 with Reggie Bush on the sideline.

Press Conference Moment of the Decade:  Allen Iverson - Practice, 2002

No explanation necessary.  We're talking about practice.  Let A.I. explain.  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGDBR2L5kzI).  How the hell can I make my teammates better by practicing?

Player of the Decade:  NA

I would have had Tiger here.  He defined the decade with his dominance and world presence.  The first athlete to reach $1 billion in liquidity, but while other people are able to separate their athletes from their athletes as people, I am not.  I root on Chad Ochocinco because while he entertains and makes a spectacle on the field, you never hear the words "scandal" or "police report" linked to his name.  Tiger Woods.  I didn't like him at first because of his on the course antics but he won me over with his off the course charity work.  Now?  All respect for him as a person has vanished.  He may have dominated a decade but I wish he wasn't its spokesperson. 

My Favorite Athlete of the Decade:  Kevin Durant

I was borderline obsessed with Kevin Durant during his only year at the University of Texas.  I might have watched more Texas Longhorns games on television than UCLA games.  Durant played like nobody I've seen.  Rick Barnes didn't know how to use him and he still found ways to dominate the game on the NCAA level and he hasn't slowed down in the NBA.  He's soft spoken yet has ice water running through his veins.   I think my favorite Kevin Durant moment came during a game at Texas.  He exploded in the first half and left the Kansas faithful in Lawrence, KS stunned.  Unfortunately though, Durant injured himself.  Midway through the second back he emerged from the locker room to a standing ovation, in KANSAS.  They appreciated his performance so much that they gave him an ovation for returning to the game.  Keep an eye out for him.  I know he's playing for the Thunder but I promise it's worth it.

My Favorite Moment of the Decade:  J-Mac

This was fun thinking about for me.  I played as a high school senior in 2000 so I got to think about those moments.  I coached various sports from 2000-2009 and thought about some fun moments there.  I thought about moments as a fan, from doing the Supershot at halftime of the UCLA game to being at the Grill in Beverly Hills with my parents, sisters, and grandparents, huddled around with a bunch of older people, watching Derek Fisher's 0.4 shot go down, jumping up and down, and high-fiving a lady who had to be at least 85.  Robert Horry's shot occurred on a Saturday.  I know this because when he hit it I ran around my house then bolted outside to call people.  However, I live in an Orthodox neighborhood so instead of calling friends, I had about 10 people huddled around me hearing me give them the play by play of what just happened as they couldn't watch TV on a Saturday.  All of these moments were great, but they don't compare to J-Mac, the autistic young man whose dream came true.  I'll let the clip do the talking and all I'll say is that only sports could produce a moment like this and that's why I love sports.  Have a great 2010's everybody.  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tui8EOdv_VU&feature=related)

WEEK 17 PICKS

Jacksonville +2 at Cleveland
Detroit +4.5 vs. Chicago
New England +7.5 at Houston
Miami +3 vs. Pittsburgh
Minnesota -8 vs. New York Giants
St. Louis +7 vs. San Francisco
Atlanta -3 at Tampa Bay
Indianapolis -8 at Buffalo
New Orleans +10 at Carolina
Dallas -3 vs. Philadelphia
Denver -10 vs. Kansas City
Oakland +10 vs. Baltimore
San Diego -3 vs. Washington
Tennessee -6 at Seattle
Green Bay +3 at Arizona
Cincinnati +10 at New York Jets

Last Week:  9-5-2
Season:       136-99-5

Sorry, under the weather, here are the picks:

Tennessee -2 vs. San Diego
Green Bay -13 vs. Seattle
Oakland +3 at Cleveland
Cincinnati -13 vs. Kansas City
Atlanta -8 vs. Buffalo
Houston +3 at Miami
Carolina +5 at New York Giants
Tampa Bay +15 at New Orleans
New England -8 vs. Jacksonville
Baltimore +3 at Pittsburgh
Denver +7 at Philadelphia
Arizona -14 vs. St. Louis
Detroit +14 at San Francisco
Indianapolis -3.5 vs. New York Jets
Dallas -4 at Washington
Minnesota -7 at Chicago

I needed a break from my power rankings to re-assess a few teams.  I get a little too attached to my previous week's standings and in turn lose my objectivity.  So we're back with the new and improved RW Power Rankings.  Enjoy.

32.  St. Louis Lams (1-12)

I watched that 30 for 30 on The U.  All of those teams would beat the Rams.

31.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-12)

How does the coach still have a job?  Especially in this economy?

30.  Detroit Lions (2-11)

I like Stafford and think that this could be a good team in three or four years.

29.  Cleveland Browns (2-11)

Counting the days until the New Year and Mangini's quiet exodus.

28.  Kansas City Chiefs (3-10)

At least they spent a ton of money and didn't hang on to Jared Allen.  Wait, not a good thing?

27.  Oakland Raiders (4-9)

The Raiders should have to refund your bet if they put JaMarcus Russell into a game.  Now they're starting a Cleveland Brown reject.  Pretty sure that's a bad thing.

26.  Washington Redskins (4-9)

Legitimately frisky since Zorn had his power stripped.  He can still motivate his guys though.

25.  Chicago Bears (5-8)

The Jay Cutler honeymoon period is over in Chicago.  They're probably shopping for a divorce attorney.

24.  Seattle Seahawks (5-8)

My pick to win the NFC West has had a tough season and been mired by injuries.  No, not Rick Mired.

23.  Buffalo Bills (5-8)

Looking better under the new coach, but in the NFL you tend to need a QB.

22.  Carolina Panthers (5-8)

I'm pretty sure they should be a good team.  Why can't they just run the ball and then go up top to Steve Smith like they did last season?

21.  Pittsburgh Steelers (6-7)

Without Troy Polamalu this is a team that has officially given up and is eying next season.

20.  Houston Texans (6-7)

Another year of hype and another year of mediocrity.  They blow far too many games.

19.  Tennessee Titans (6-7)

I'd watch any random Titans game strictly to see Chris Johnson.  It's like watching that little kid who's by far the best player in the league tear through a random game.  Just a beast.

18.  San Francisco 49ers (6-7)

They're a couple of bad breaks away from a good season.  Singletary will get them there eventually.

17.  Atlanta Falcons (6-7)

When your starting QB and RB are both hurt and you're an offensive team, wins are going to be tough to come by.  They'll be back and contending next year.

16.  New York Giants (7-6)

Wow that secondary is bad.  Eli face is in full effect.

15.  New York Jets (7-6)

They're starting to come around but it's going to be too little too late for the Jets.  Again though, they have something to build on.

14.  Miami Dolphins (7-6)

Ronnie Brown is being sorely missed as so much of their offense was dedicated to him with the wildcat but Miami still has a decent shot at making it to the playoffs and losing in the first round by three touchdowns.

13.  Baltimore Ravens (7-6)

They've had a brutal schedule but outside of Ray Rice, the Ravens have done little to impress.  They'll probably make the playoffs but I see them as an easy out once they get there.  They're just getting too old on defense and Ed Reed's absence doesn't help anything.

12.  Jacksonville Jaguars (7-7)

The Jags are quietly a team that you don't want making the playoffs if you're in the AFC.  They should have beaten the Colts and if they had, you'd see a team coming together at the right time after that awkward start.

11.  Denver Broncos (8-5)

Brandon Marshall is impressive but I'm still not won over by this squad as a whole.  Give it a couple of years though with their nucleus.

10.  Dallas Cowboys (8-5)

Tonight's game in the bayou is not what the doctor ordered for the December swoon in Dallas.

9.  New England Patriots (8-5)

They have yet to win a true road game.  That's not a good thing when you're not going to have home field in the playoffs.

8.  Cincinnati Bengals (9-4)

Just a horrible tragedy.  Not much else to say. 

7.  Philadelphia Eagles (9-4)

The defense is going to have to do a better job if McNabb & Co. want to make some noise in the playoffs.

6.  Green Bay Packers (9-4)

The Packers went from a team that couldn't protect the quarterback to a sleeper to take the NFC giants down.

5.  Arizona Cardinals (8-5)

Don't let the record or the performances fool you.  Remember last season?

4.  San Diego Chargers (10-3)

Ho hum another year in which the Chargers tear up the regular season.  But we know how this story ends.

3.  Minnesota Vikings (11-2)

Adrian Peterson is still alive and well.  So are the Vikings Super Bowl prospects.

2.  New Orleans Saints (13-0)

Who dat?

1.  Indianapolis Colts (14-0)

My pick, still.

WEEK 15 PICKS

Jacksonville +6 vs. Indianapolis
Dallas +7.5 at New Orleans
Kansas City -2.5 vs. Cleveland
Houston -14 at St. Louis
Miami +5 at Tennessee
Buffalo +7 vs. New England
Arizona -14 at Detroit
Atlanta +6.5 at New York Jets
Cincinnati +7 at San Diego
Oakland +14 at Denver
Seattle -6.5 vs. Tampa Bay
Green Bay +2 at Pittsburgh
San Francisco +7.5 at Philadelphia
Baltimore -11 vs. Chicago
Carolina +9 vs. Minnesota
Washington +3 vs. New York Giants

LAST WEEK:  9-7
SEASON:        118-88-2

First off, I'm from L.A., and this business of rain and temperatures dropping below 50 degrees is not okay by me.

Did something happen with Tiger Woods?

Okay, with Tiger, a few things surprised me.  First, I didn't think he was this stupid.  Second, I had an argument with a friend a couple of years ago when Marvin Harrison got into trouble.  We tried to figure out who the least likely athletes to get dragged through the mud would be.  I said Derek Fisher, my friend said Tiger Woods.  We ended up agreeing on Tiger.  Third, how bad are Tiger's PR people?  He didn't commit a crime that we know of yet he's being talked about as if this story is O.J. Simpson the Remix.  How does Tiger Woods end up being a top story on MSNBC for a whole week?  Tiger needed to pull a David Letterman, get out in front of the story, then go his own rout using golf's schedule, disappear for a few months, then come back and play in The Masters.  Honestly, I don't care what really happened in Orlando.  He's a ridiculously rich athlete who cheated on his wife with multiple women.  I'm sorry if I'm not getting all that riled up over this.  I was more interested when Tiger blew it against Yang in the PGA and I'd be more interested to see the economic impact of a Tigerless golf season if we didn't already see it last season.

I'm glad Allen Iverson is back in my life.  Basketball's not the same without him.

Why does Goodell hate Chad Ochocinco so much?  He brings positive energy to a league that features more felons and steroids users than any other major sport I can think of.  Sorry, I forgot the word, "alleged."

I apologize for not analyzing the Heisman but I stopped caring about the award when its winner graduated then tried to walk onto the Rams as a safety after winning the Heisman as a QB the year before.  That was ten years ago.  It hasn't gotten better.  The only way I would have been following the race would have been if the NCAA didn't suspend Dez Bryant for being friends with Deion Sanders or whatever other nonsense he was suspended for.  If I was Suh, I'd rather be the #1 pick in the upcoming draft than with the Heisman.

I enjoyed going to Pauley Pavilion and watching UCLA play against Kansas.  UCLA did look young and inexperienced but it still smells of a team that can be good in a couple of years.  I liked the energy.  I like Malcolm Lee.  I'm not a fan of losing to every Division III school in California but I think there can be some middle ground here. 

Sorry I was too excited to write about it last week when it happened, but I was at the Kobe vs. Dwyane Wade matchup last week and I was sitting seven rows behind the Lakers bench.  I have to say, there is no other sporting experience like a Lakers game.  I can't believe they let the Clippers play in the same building.  It's a sham.  The Lakers home games feel like events.  There are celebrities and just this aura of invincibility wafts in the air.  In a star driven league like the NBA, there's no better place to watch than at Staples Center when the Lakers play.  Oh, and did I mention that I got to watch Kobe and Wade go at it, watch Fisher hit that money three (that I called during the timeout), and then stay for ten minutes saying, "I CAN'T BELIEVE HE HIT THAT," over and over and over again with everyone else lucky enough to be in the building that night.

There are some good freshmen in college basketball this year.  I saw Xavier Henry in person at Pauley but Wall is just a machine at Kentucky.  He's truly fun to watch.

Fine, I am a sucker for some good Tiger Woods jokes, but I swear, the details of the story mean nothing to me.  John Daly's offering the guy public advice.  Are you kidding me?  I know it's skinny John Daly, but still. 

For anyone who says the BCS never gets it right, you're wrong.  No, I'm not saying Texas/Bama is the matchup we all want to see, I'm saying the BCS gets it right . . . for the people the BCS is supposed to benefit.  Sponsors and bigtime college football programs.  The BCS exists to make money.  It doesn't exist to ensure fairness or assure the fans that we get the national championship we're supposed to.  The BCS' success is measured in dollars and cents, in ratings and gates.  You want the BCS to go away?  You want a playoff?  Boycott college football.  The sponsors know you're not going to do it so the BCS isn't going anywhere anytime soon.  And just in case you thought Congress was going to do something about it, perhaps you haven't been watching the race to healthcare "reform."  The people with money at stake will spend it to make sure their pockets keep staying filled.  Again, the BCS is going nowhere.

I hope the Giants make the NFC Playoffs.  Hobbled Eli Manning on the road?  I'd lay at least 10 points.  With a HUGE smile on my face.

You know what needs to start getting more publicity?  The McCourts' settlement/litigation talks.  This has a chance to dramatically affect the L.A. Dodgers.

Mark Cuban on Monday Night Raw was classic, at least the clip that ESPN showed.

Have you seen a more unassuming team go 12-0 than this year's Indianapolis Colts team?  Maybe it's because they play close games and have zero star power outside of Peyton Manning, but this is an impressive run.

I still can't get over how the UCLA/USC football game ended.  'SC was trying to take a knee with less than a minute left, UCLA called timeout down by a ton, USC came back and threw it up top for a score.  Benches clear.  I was arguing who was more at fault, Neuheisel or Carroll then realized that choosing between the two on moral grounds is like choosing between a poopy flavored lollipop and actual poop.  Waste of time.  I may have written about this previously but it begs repeating, for me at least.  I can't stand college football coaches claiming moral high ground on anything. 

I had a realization last night.  It's okay to cheer now when Sasha Vujacic comes into the game because that means the Lakers have a double digit lead now.  Life as a Lakers fan is good.

My picks are below, and yes I made my Thursday night pick prior to the game.  I just refused to rush an article again because the NFL had Cleveland playing a Thursday night game.  No Polamalu?  Take the other team, even if it's Cleveland.  At this point in the year, you're playing with fire anyway though.  The oddsmakers know how to get you.  Did anyone have Jacksonville beating Houston even though we all knew it was a weird spread?

WEEK 14 PICKS

Cleveland +10 vs. Pittsburgh
Houston -7 vs. Seattle
Cincinnati +6.5 at Minnesota
Indianapolis -6.5 vs. Denver
Tampa Bay +4 vs. New York Jets
Buffalo -2 at Kansas City
Green Bay -4 at Chicago
Detroit +14 vs. Baltimore
Miami +2.5 at Jacksonville
Carolina +13 at New England
Atlanta +10 vs. New Orleans
Tennessee -13 vs. St. Louis Rams
Oakland +1 vs. Washington
Dallas -3.5 vs. San Diego
New York Giants +1 vs. Philadelphia
Arizona -3.5 at San Francisco

LAST WEEK:  8-8
SEASON:        109-81-2

First off, I almost rushed this column to get it in prior to the Buffalo/Jets game.  Then I realized I was altering my schedule because the Bills were playing the Jets.  If you want my rationale for picking the Bills below, I figured when two bad teams play each other in Canada and one of them is favored, take the team getting points.  Sure, the Jets may be slightly better but who knows when the Sanchize is going to throw 5 picks.  I took the points.  So sue me.  On to more pressing matters.

I've read, watched, and listened to a lot of debate on the NFL's MVP for this season and what bothers me more than anything is that there is actually a debate.  I'm not going to make this suspenseful for you.  How on Earth is anybody more valuable than Peyton Manning?  Brett Favre is a nice story and made an incredible comeback.  He's quarterbacking a team with one of the top two offensive lines in the league, the league's best running back, and the league's most formidable defensive line.  There's Chris Johnson.  He's a freak of nature and the most exciting running back in the game, but how can an MVP lead his team to an 0-6 start, forcing a change at QB?  I like Drew Brees best for second place.  He's the heart and soul of an undefeated team but isn't Gregg Williams every bit as valuable to the Saints as Drew Brees?  Didn't the Saints put up a gazillion points last year and finish closer to the middle of the pack than the Super Bowl?  Brees is a great QB and his offense has yet to be really stopped but the Saints aren't where they are without that defense.

This is an award for the most valuable player.  While statistics matter, it is not a statistical award.  If it was, why even have a vote?  Just devise some sort of formula and call it a day.  You have to ask yourself, who is the most valuable player.  You're asking yourself, who's the first player picked in a league wide draft?  If you took Player X away from his team, how worse off would they be?  If you take Favre away from the Vikings, sure, they don't win the Super Bowl, but they haven't won the Super Bowl yet anyway.  This team was in a playoff game led by Tarvaris Jackson last year.  Heck, even Eli Manning won a Super Bowl with a similar defense and running game.  Favre has clearly made a difference, but MVP?  Come on.  If you put half of the QB's in the league on Minnesota, that's still a 8-3 team or better.  If Sage Rosenfels starts and manages games they're still 8-3.  I'm not buying Favre.  I'm not wasting time on Chris Johnson as much as I like him.  His injury killed the Titans Super Bowl hopes last year but they started 0-6 with him in the lineup.  Game over.  And Brees?  He's the MVP of the second place contestants, but again, look at his weapons.  He has a tremendous receiving corps.  He plays a game directed by a tremendous coaching staff and yes, he's putting up insane numbers.  If you take Brees away they're probably a mediocre team.

Now take Peyton Manning away from the Colts and put his brother in for him.  They're 4-7 or 5-6 at best.  The Colts have no running game.  I know what you're thinking, that it's because they pass so often.  But if you passed that often, wouldn't you think you'd open up the running game the few times you ran the ball?  Not for the Colts.  3.9 yards a carry for the team, which is good for 26th in the league.  Okay, well, they have to have a great defense right?  They're 11-0.  Wrong.  Solid defense, yes.  Great defense, no.  15th in the league in yards allowed.  Okay, so what about the coach?  Tony Dungy's one of the best in the business.  Wait, he's not there anymore?  They have a statue who doesn't move at any point during the game in his place?  So how are they 11-0? 

Answer:  Peyton Manning.

He's their offense.  Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark are nice, but who are and Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie?  Are they the new chef at some restaurant in Beverly Hills and his pet dog?  Peyton Manning is the offense, the coach, the team.  They should be called the Indianapolis Peyton Manning feat. the Colts.  I had a discussion with a friend last night about which teams could beat the Lakers and stop a back to back Championship run.  We eliminated everybody but the Celtics.  We talked about how the Celtics' bigs and match up with the Lakers up front.  Rondo will destroy Fish a la Aaron Brooks.  Artest helps, but they still have Ray Allen.  And then we said, "yeah, but we have Kobe."  Conversation over.  There is no ceiling for what that means.  You can not measure Kobe's impact.  How could you?  He's unstoppable.  Peyton Manning is the Kobe of the NFL.  Maybe better.  If you're talking about how a team matches up with the Colts, what's your counterargument for, "yeah, but they have Peyton Manning"?  There isn't another player in the league for whom that argument resonates.  And if you think it does, you're kidding yourself.  Peyton Manning is this season's MVP and I don't think there's a close second.

WEEK 13 PICKS

Buffalo +3 vs. New York Jets (in Toronto)
Kansas City +5.5 vs. Denver
Oakland +14.5 at Pittsburgh
Houston -1 at Jacksonville
Miami +4.5 vs. New England
Carolina -5 vs. Tampa Bay
St. Louis +9.5 at Chicago
Indianapolis -6.5 vs. Tennessee
Cincinnati -13 vs. Detroit
Washington +9.5 vs. New Orleans
Atlanta +5.5 vs. Philadelphia
Cleveland +13.5 vs. San Diego
San Francisco -1 at Seattle
Dallas -2.5 at New York Giants
Minnesota -3.5 at Arizona
Green Bay -3 vs. Baltimore  

LAST WEEK:  8-7-1
SEASON:        101-73-2

***Football Picks Below***

I've gone to two UCLA home basketball games this year.  I went to the first game in which my Bruins trailed to NAIA Concordia the entire game before winning by 1 at the end and I went to the Pepperdine game a few nights ago where the Bruins played solidly and won by 19.  I've written before that as a UCLA fan under Ben Howland, we're not going to win a championship because he doesn't get the guys rated number one or number two in the country, likely because he doesn't want to deal with them only to lose them after one year.  After watching the Bruins get spanked by Florida and then Memphis a few years ago, it bothered me to no end that we didn't have a Derrick Rose on our team.  Now, as I watch what has transpired in a sport that I grew up with, I am more than glad to be a Bruin fan and alum.

College basketball hasn't been an amateur sport since CBS started making money off of the Wooden era Bruins.  The players may not be getting paid, but executives and universities are reaping rewards in the millions and billions at times.  I've said for a while now that I believe that college basketball and football players deserve to get paid for all of the revenue they produce.  That will never happen because of Title IX, but to argue that they shouldn't to me is just plain wrong.  Additionally, I don't blame players for a second when they turn pro after finding out that they're locks for the lottery.  Why risk millions of dollars to play for free and risk injury.  College isn't going anywhere.  If education is truly important to the players they can always matriculate during the off season and after their careers are over.  It does happen.  The thing is, I'm not buying into the farce that is "student-athlete" nowadays.  Players may have received college degrees and attended class in the 60's, 70's, and 80's, but those times are gone.  We're in the Matt Leinart Ballroom Dancing era.  The people on the lacrosse team may go to school but millions of dollars don't await them.  They're not selling jerseys and contributing to billion dollar television contracts.  They may be student athletes but Derrick Rose wasn't.  O.J. Mayo wasn't. 

How many players in the NBA Draft graduate college?  For every Tim Duncan and Tyler Hansbrough there are a thousand Kevin Loves.  Which brings me to my point, my UCLA Bruins.  I've been going to Pauley Pavilion since I was old enough to walk.  I loved Tracy Murray, Don McLean, the O'Bannons, and everyone up to Kapono, Gadzuric, Collison, and now Malcolm Lee and Michael Roll.  I started noticing a few years ago, that I don't go to senior day early anymore because the only seniors we have are our 11th and 12th men if they happen to be seniors.  UCLA may pride itself on academic integrity but that hasn't extended to the basketball court in recent years.  Coach Wooden may not be coming to as many games anymore because he's 99 years old, but something doesn't seem right about Coach Wooden cheering on a team of one and dones.  Read his book and I promise you he wouldn't approve.  But he would approve of this team.  I watched the first game of the season in agony.  I watched us lose to Cal State Fullerton and was sick.  But this team has already made strides since then.  It may not make a Sweet 16 this season but if Drew Gordon, Malcolm Lee, and Jerime Anderson stay together for three more years, it could be a Final Four team when they're seniors.  And that's how it should be.  I'm watching Michael Roll lead a team as a senior when he was little more than a quiet three-point shooter last year.  He's matured. 

Remember in Blue Chips when Nick Nolte quits at the end?  Remember how he said that his best job coaching wasn't the upset win over Indiana but the season before when the team was under .500 because he got everything he could out of that team and it played hard every night?  That's how the college game is now.  Nobody appreciates that.  If you want to win titles you have to get the Blue Chips and in order to get them you have to break some rules.  Nobody appreciates a team representing its school for four years and pulling it together in the end?  Well I do.  Coach Howland, I'm signing up.  You want to recruit players with grit who will stay for four years, graduate, and compete every night then I'm right there with you.  I'll be along for the ride, 8-clapping every chance I get.  I'll get there early on Senior Day and watch our stars honored alongside the guys who ride the pine.  We didn't win titles when I was little and I still loved my Bruins.  UCLA will always compete in basketball because of its history.  I don't want that spoiled by having O.J. Mayo and Derrick Rose scandals.

People wonder why I don't support the football team as much?  Google Rick Neuheisel, Washington, arrest, players and see what comes up.  It's going to take some time before I buy into the redemption story.  College basketball and football are big business but let's not forget that these are kids at the center of it all.  They're not amateurs, but they're not true professionals, yet.

WEEK 12 PICKS

Green Bay -11.5 at Detroit
Oakland +13.5 at Dallas
Denver +5.5 vs. New York Giants
Indianapolis -3.5 at Houston
Cincinnati -14 vs. Cleveland
Washington +9 at Philadelphia
Miami -3 at Buffalo
Seattle -3 at St. Louis
Atlanta -12 vs. Tampa Bay
Carolina +3 at New York Jets
Jacksonville +3 at San Francisco
San Diego -13.5 vs. Kansas City
Chicago +11 at Minnesota
Tennessee -3 vs. Arizona
Baltimore -1 vs. Pittsburgh
New Orleans -1.5 vs. New England

Last Week:  11-5
Season:       93-66-1

Manny Pacquiao is one of the best fighters of all-time.  While Cotto may have been a shade slower than he was pre-Margarito, he still looked fit and like he packed a punch.  The two questions I had were whether Manny could hurt a true welterweight as he was unable to do against a feeble Oscar and whether Manny could take a punch from a true welterweight.  Questions answered.  Check and check plus.  All that said thought, I still like Mayweather when the two eventually meet after a messy negotiation.  Pretty Boy is slightly faster and his defense will frustrate Manny into taking too many chances that open him up.  Mayweather has shown much more of a willingness to make others play his game.

There are some really bad teams in the NFL.  I spend five minutes trying to figure out the Browns against the Lions because a friend of mine was adamant about the Lions being slighted with the line.  Then I realized I would never get those five minutes of my life back and took the Browns if only because they're underdogs.

Ireland deserves a drink.  I've never seen a bigger missed non-call.  I tried to slip the word "blatant" in there but I couldn't figure out where to put it.

I don't understand what Dwayne Bowe tested positive for but it's clear the rest of the Chiefs aren't on it.

Brandon Jennings is a boss in the making.

UCLA basketball will have to forget about the 09-10 season in a few years.  It's going to get ugly before it gets remotely good.  And I know we already lost to Cal. State Fullerton.  I'll be at the Pepperdine game on Monday.  Hopefully the Bruins look a bit better.

I like it when UCLA football wins, but I love it when USC football loses.  That's what you get for having male cheerleaders doing push-ups on top of one another in white sweaters.  Need I say more?

The L.A. Kings might be worth following for the first time in almost a decade.

The Clippers are not.

Tiger Woods gets paid more for showing up to play golf than 99.9% of us will make in a lifetime.

Sarah Palin makes my head hurt.  Not as much as Glenn Beck does though.  Wait, he's crying again.

Mark Cuban, L.A. Dodgers owner?  I like.

Pau Gasol was back tonight and he looked good.  I guess Christmas has come early for Lakers fans, or Channukah for a good portion of us.

Derek Fisher had better not get hurt. 

Pau better not get hurt again either.  I'm not sure if calling Mbenga, "Shrek" is offensive to Mbenga or the make pretent ogre played by Mike Myers.  It's clearly offensive to someone.

Sasha Vujacic is offensive to the human race.

Bill Belichick's decision to go was not dumb.  Not in the least.  His defense has shown no ability to stop the Colts.  Brady for two yards sounded like a much better bet to me at the time than stopping Peyton Manning with over two minutes left.  If nothing else there was the element of surprise because I think at least 80% of those watching figured they'd go hard count then take the delay.  Oh, and did I mention the ridiculously HORRIBLE spot that the official gave.  What was that signal he was giving?  The bobble?  More like the, "take the spot and subtract 1.5 yards" signal. 

Chad Ochocinco needs a 24/7.  Can he fight Pacquiao?  I'd mistake him for Paul Williams in a second.  But then someone would just duck him.

When you bench your #1 draft pick and the future of your franchise in favor of Brad Gradkowski, things are clearly going in the right direction.  At least nobody has accused the Raiders head coach of assault or battery in the last 4 days, or since I started typing this column.

I really hope TCU and Cincinnati spank whomever they face in their respective bowl games. 

Kansas football.  What amateur sports should be all about.

New Super Bowl prediction:  Patriots 38 - Saints 31

I'll address last week in Random Thoughts, which should be shortly forthcoming.  The big surprise to me, even though nobody is talking about it, was Cincy thoroughly thrashing Pittsburgh.  They're a team to be reckoned with.  As for the "Teams I Refuse To Rank," that list has grown.  There are far too many unwatchable teams this season.

Teams I Refuse To Rank

Buffalo Bills (3-6)
Cleveland Browns (1-8)
Detroit Lions (1-8)
Kansas City Chiefs (2-7)
Oakland Raiders (2-7)
Seattle Seahawks (3-6)
St. Louis Lams (1-8)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-8)
Washington Redskins (3-6)

23.  San Francisco 49ers (4-5)

They're a step away from being added to the above list.  And it's not a long step.

22.  Chicago Bears (4-5)

Jay Cutler throws a lot of picks + see 49ers comment above.

21.  Tennessee Titans (3-6)

They are much friskier than that 3-6 record.  I don't know if it was the bye week or Vince Young but something has sparked that defense and Chris Johnson.

20.  New York Jets (4-5)

I don't think there's any hope for the Jets this season.  Sorry Rex, but your spin isn't flying over here at RW anymore.

19.  Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4)

Watching them you'd think they were 2-7 or something but somehow they're 5-4 and I guess that's all that matters.

18.  Carolina Panthers (4-5)

The running game and defense are rounding into form but if you don't trust your QB, you're not challenging for the title.

17.  Miami Dolphins (4-5)

Wildcat.  Say it again, it's fun.  Wildcat.

16.  New York Giants (5-4)

Not a bad bye week for the G-Men with all of the ground they gained in the NFC East.

15.  Philadelphia Eagles (5-4)

One of the reasons the aforementioned Giants are back in the NFC picture.

14.  Atlanta Falcons (5-4)

I'll say it again, they can't win on the road.

13.  Green Bay Packers (5-4)

They're looking like the worst team in the league one week and a Super Bowl contender the next.

12.  Baltimore Ravens (5-4)

The schedule gets tough now after beating the powder puff Browns.

11.  Arizona Cardinals (6-3)

There's a method to their madness.  They play hard enough to win.  I don't like them to cover large spreads though.

10.  Denver Broncos (6-3)

Undefeated was a long time ago.  Staring a month's worth of losing dead in the eye.

9.  Houston Texans (5-4)

Could this be their year?  Now's the time to prove something.

8.  San Diego Chargers (6-3)

They can take control of the AFC West with a vengeful win in Denver this week.

7.  Dallas Cowboys (6-3)

Losing in Green Bay isn't that bad for this Cowboys team with an easy few weeks coming up.  They're in the driver's seat and they were not going to get that bye anyway.

6.  Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3)

Troy Polamalu is a big loss if he's not healthy the rest of the way.

5.  New England Patriots (6-3)

A missed call away from being #1.

4.  Cincinnati Bengals (7-2)

They look weird here at #4 but they're very deserving of it.

3.  Minnesota Vikings (8-1)

It's okay when you can look that bad and still win by 17.  Does Favre have any cold weather games coming up?

2.  New Orleans Saints (9-0)

Brees has had some off games but the Saints keep trucking.

1.  Indianapolis Colts (9-0)

Bend but don't break.  Oh yeah, Peyton Manning is a beast.

WEEK 11 PICKS

Carolina -3 vs. Miami
Cleveland +3.5 at Detroit
Buffalo +8.5 at Jacksonville
Kansas City +10 vs. Pittsburgh
Indianapolis -1 at Baltimore
New York Giants -6.5 vs. Atlanta
Green Bay -6.5 vs. San Francisco
Minnesota -10.5 vs. Seattle
Dallas -11 vs. Washington
Tampa Bay +11 vs. New Orleans
St. Louis +9 vs. Arizona
New England -10.5 vs. New York Jets
San Diego -3 vs. Denver
Oakland +9.5 vs. Cincinnati
Philadelphia -3 at Chicago
Tennessee +4.5 at Houston

Last Week:  11-4
Season:       82-61-1