I know it's been a while and I've heard about it from a lot of you.  I'm sorry and thanks for hanging in there with RW (shout out to Mike Dalton here).  As a treat, here are some random thoughts before we get going tonight with the Saints and Packers.

Donald Young is tennis' best bet to get American viewership.

Unfortunately Donald Young is a bit of a hot head and does not have top-5 talent.

To those who got very angry with the USA/Mexico column, here is the cliff notes version:

Mexicans:  Cool
Mexican - Americans:  Cool
U.S. citizens rooting against the U.S.:  Not cool
U.S. citizens booing the national anthem:  Deplorable
U.S. citizens throwing cups of urine at U.S. players and supporters:  Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

It pains me to say it, but the Phillies look unstoppable.  I see the Phils beating the Yankees in 6.

The faux-hawk needs to go away.

Situation head-butting the wall then sitting alone and crying with red sunglasses and a neck brace was one of the funniest things I've seen in a while.

I'm not sure what it says about me that I woke up the other day in a great mood because I had a good fantasy football draft the night before.  No, I wasn't thinking that it makes me a loser.  Stop it.

Webb Simpson put on a show for those of us who still love golf in the post-Tiger screwed everything with a skirt era.

The NBA lockout will cost us at least half of the season, likely more.

The owners are the main reason behind the above statement.  Their accountants would land them in federal prison if they worked their tax returns the same way.

Lionel Messi is the best athlete in the world.  And no, I'm not just saying that because we're the same height.

I still can't figure out if Floyd Mayweather and his family are really that crazy or if they're trying to sell tickets.  I'm leaning toward they really are that crazy.

No matter what happens on 24/7, Floyd is far too fast and skilled for Ortiz.  Floyd will win by KO in the 9th round.

Someone needs to conduct a poll along the lines of the Presidential approval ratings, but make it for Frank McCourt.  I really don't think this guy understands how much Dodger fans can't stand him.  I know several people who have turned down free tickets because they didn't want to go to the game and buy an item, thus putting money in McCourt's pocket.

Frank McCourt also can't think we're that gullable.  $1.2 billion from his former business partner and Chinese investors?  Come on buddy.  That would be like someone seeing the U.S., saying, "wow, they're economy's in great shape, I'd like to bid 50% more than it's worth!  What downside?"

Justin Bieber did not cross up Steve Nash.  Nash went high on a screen because you're supposed to have help from the weak side.  And I'm fairly certain Nash wasn't exactly giving it his all there.  The Justin Bieber 15 minutes needs to end soon.

President Obama will give a great speech tonight.

Nothing will get done in Washington.

Republicans would vote against a bill allowing citizens to use the bathroom if Obama supported it.

Romney did some work last night.

I'm not sure which is a bigger black eye on football, concussions or steroids (when they finally check steroid use).

I definitely ignore the above statement and look forward with glee to the start of the season.

Saints over Steelers in the Super Bowl.

Week 1 Picks

New Orleans +4.5 at Green Bay
Pittsburgh +1.5 at Baltimore
Detroit +1.5 at Tampa Bay
Atlanta -3 at Chicago
Kansas City -6 vs. Buffalo
Indianapolis +9 at Houston
St. Louis +4.5 vs. Philadelphia
Cincinnati +6.5 at Cleveland
Jacksonville -2 vs. Tennessee
Washington +3 vs. New York Giants
Carolina +7 at Arizona
Seattle +5.5 at San Francisco
San Diego -8.5 vs. Minnesota
Dallas +5 at New York Jets
Miami +7 vs. New England
Oakland +3 at Denver