Final Thoughts
Posted December 19, 2010, 8:26 PM ET

This will be my last Ripe Gripe of 2010.

I just want to remind everyone that we'll be shutting down the site, so we can relaunch it in January. I need to tweak and update many portions of the blog. In the meantime, you will still be able to send emails directly to me at pack@packsmack.com and follow me on twitter (MarkPacker), just like you've been able to do in the past.

This has been a remarkable year. It is a special time for me and my family, as we embark on a wonderful journey. I mean that from many different aspects: career, family, home, spiritually, you name it.

It's been overwhelming at times....it's been happy and sad....it's been exciting but through it all, it has been memorable. It is a time of change....and for me, that means I never look back. But in this case, I'll make an exception as I put the finishing touches on 2010.

The last couple of weeks on the site I have thanked the thousands of fans that have emailed me or stopped me in public. You've been awesome and I can't emphasize that enough on emails or in-person.

I know folks want to know the next project(s) that I'm working on, and all I can tell you is to be patient with me while I put the finishing touches on these deals. It takes time, and like everything worth fighting for, you want to make sure it's right before sharing it with everyone. Many times it takes longer than you wish, but in the end it's worth it.

I'm really excited about the possibilities that await in 2011....many times on the show, I have mentioned that you should enjoy the journey. I plan on taking my own advice. We spend too much time looking for the finish line...when the real joy and fun is enjoying the winding road, itself.

That's exactly how I'm approaching the challenges ahead for me and my family. I know there will be setbacks....there will also be days that you feel like you rule the world. That's the beauty of life, but now I've got the chance to do anything I want to create, and I can do it on my time without the interruptions or interferences from outside sources.

I cannot begin to tell you how that gets me pumped-up. I feel like I've been re-born.

For my family, we're in the process of moving due to a major construction project on our house. There is no doubt that we'll be living like gypsies for the majority of 2011, but like everything else....in the end, it will be worth the wait.

It's going to be a crazy year ahead....and regardless of what happens, I'm going to really take the time to enjoy it. It's been a tough time fighting the system the last couple of years, and it feels good to get a fresh start.

As for sports, we witnessed some great streaks the last few weeks:

Brett Favre's amazing "games started" streak was snapped, and now he sits for the second consecutive week.....the streak is officially at 2.

UConn women's team won their 88th in a row and of course ESPN decided that it warranted coverage on par with John Wooden's great UCLA teams. I think the Huskies have a remarkable women's basketball program....but to compare it in any form with what Wooden's team's did is laughable....how did the ESPN talking heads do it and keep a straight face?

Coach K will tie and surpass Dean Smith for all-time wins in the men's game (only trailing Bobby Knight). I've said it before....we are incredibly lucky to have witnessed two of the greatest coaches of all-time perform their magic....and we've watched it develop from day one.

Can anybody figure out college hoops? I really liked the way Tennessee was playing before they stunk it up losing to Oakland....and then lost to Charlotte. Great win for Alan Major....and once again, I'm glad I don't gamble on games. I would have bet the house on the Vols against the Niners....and that would be the old house, not the new one.

The Panthers have a chance to win two games in five days. Not bad, for a team that entered last weekend 1-12. Of course, they will catch a Steelers team coming off a tough loss at home to the Jets, and a team fighting for a playoff spot.

I was glad to see John Fox win his last home game. Many folks are ready to run him out of town....but Fox has done a solid job in Carolina....the biggest problem is winning consistently. The team still hasn't put together back-to-back winning seasons. Ironically, they are the only professional sports franchise (NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL) that has been in existence for at least ten years that hasn't been able to accomplish that feat.

I like John Fox personally, and he has always been cordial to me and my family.....I wish him and his wife, Robin, the best.

I watched Rick Barnes beat UNC again over the weekend (is that four straight?)....I still can't forget the night of the ACC Tourney when Barnes and Dean Smith went after each other at center court. UNC fans will never admit it, but Barnes was a great detraction from the Duke rivalry. Plus, UNC always beat Clemson...whether they had four or five guys on the court.

As for the Heels, I like their core group of players, but the guard play and outside shooting are spotty. That's not the right combo for a deep run....they will get better, but will they be good enough?

Duke is good enough....even without Kyrie Irving.

I watched Ohio State thump South Carolina....the Buckeyes are good enough...and Jared Sullinger would look great in a Bobcats jersey....tonight.

Last week, I wrote of the 35 bowl games; I can honestly say that I'll watch three of them from start to finish. That number has increased to four games total from last week:

I know I'll watch bits and pieces of the other games, but 35 is a ridiculous number of games between really average teams.

With all the player trades in the NBA taking place with Orlando last week (it seems like half of their roster was traded away....and the Magic was 16-10), I bet Larry Brown was somewhere in a dark room cussing up a storm trying to figure out how he could ship some of his under-performing guys to jump-start the season. I still think the Bobcats will make another big splash trade.

They need to hurry, because it is becoming quite apparent that Michael Jordan was out to lunch with his comments this summer that the team would be better than last year's playoff-bound squad.

So far, he's not even close. His team is 9-17 entering play this week.....that's not good enough, and if I turn on the tube and see them down by 30-something again, I'm going to scream.

In closing, I want to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season.....Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Thanks again for a great 2010....next year is going to rock.