 |
||||||||||||||
Countdown Finally....the NFL players and owners have figured out a way to share nearly 9.5 billion dollars. That shouldn't have been so hard for either side....but now that we've got the drama and all the haggling out of the way, let's play some football. The only thing that is disappointing about the agreement is that we're actually going to have a full complement of meaningless pre-season games. But here in Carolina, the Panthers can use all the practice they can get. When you go 2-14, and then add a high-profile # 1 pick in Cam Newton to the mix, everybody wants to see what the kid can do....and that is true whether it's a pre-season game, or the real thing. You've got to figure the condensed time-frame will keep every club super-busy as free agency and the new rules are laid out to all parties involved. The bottom line is that everybody is excited about football....and that is a good thing. While the NFL will be wheeling and dealing this week, their counterparts in Major League Baseball will be doing the same thing, since the trading deadline is fast approaching. As I look at the standings, my "Packman 9" looks ok....with only Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Arizona still sniffing around for a playoff spot. Maybe one of those teams will spoil my annual prediction. Otherwise, it's the same old story.....Red Sox, Yankees, Rangers, Phillies, Braves and my beloved Giants that are not only thinking World Series, but also trying to figure out a deal or two that could put them over the top. I would assume that the biggest "name player" in the trade talks would be the Mets' Carlos Beltran. His bat and instant offense could really help any of the NL teams, and only enhance the big AL line-ups that are loaded with power. But it should be an action-packed 7 days, in both the NFL and MLB. The SEC Media Days took place last week in Alabama, and over 1,000 credited media folks were in attendance. It shouldn't come as a surprise, given the SEC's dominance of college football and the high profile schools and coaches that are in the forefront. In the end, Alabama and South Carolina were selected by the media to win their respective divisions, with the Tide expected to win the SEC title. Bama's Nick Saban made it clear that the media has amazing insight when making such claims and predictions.....it was also pointed out that the media has correctly selected the champion in only four of the last 19 years. No surprise, there. While the SEC was winding down, the ACC is getting cranked up.... I'd be hard-pressed to believe that somebody other than Florida State and Virginia Tech will be picked to play in Charlotte for the ACC title. It looks like a rematch, unless somebody can step up and surprise. That means Miami, UNC, Boston College, NC State, Maryland or even Clemson needs to make some noise. Can any of these teams put it together, get some breaks and threaten the Noles or Hokies? After hearing the SEC reports, the ACC still feels like the Junior Varsity. All I know is that we're less than 6 weeks from kick-off. I was hosting the SiriusXM "College Sports Saturday" show this past weekend, and it was a blast. The national response of the news surrounding Ohio State's investigation had everybody buzzing. It's hard for me to comprehend how the NCAA can eliminate the possibility of major infractions due to a lack of monitoring the program....but that's what was reported by numerous sources. It seems to me if the man in charge of your entire program lies, cheats and doesn't conform to the rules in place to alert his superiors of major infractions.....then that is the ultimate lack of institutional control. We'll see what happens to the Buckeyes next month, when they face the NCAA. After watching the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets get punked with a four-year probation over a couple hundred bucks and the eligibility of two players....there is no telling what we'll see next from the NCAA. Stay tuned.....and by the way, I'll be hosting the show again this Saturday from noon-3, eastern time on SiriusXM 91. Finally, I'd like to send out condolences to two former colleagues that recently lost their fathers....Gary Williams' dad, Buck, passed away recently and DJ Stout's father, Don, lost his courageous battle this past weekend. Both gentlemen were good people and loved by many. Both men are now in a great place but they will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to them and their families during this tough time. |
|
|||||||||||||
