Stop Whining, Plax

It became the catch heard, well in this case, the catch seen around the world, that made New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress a hero in New York. Just a short three months ago in Super Bowl 42, Eli Manning connected with Burress for the game-winning touchdown against heavily favored (and heavily hated), New England Patriots. That catch made him the hero in many Giants fans hearts and will be lived down as one of the greatest clutch moments in Super Bowl history.

Burress not only was huge in the Super Bowl, but was an essential reason why the Giants even made it to the Super Bowl. In the NFC Championship game, Burress had 11 catches for 154 yards receiving. His outburst throughout the playoffs was uncharacteristic of him, as he's never been known for a 'big-time' player. Sure he's had all the potential in the world to become a dominant wide receiver, but he usually never shows up.

So the usual person would think that he'd be happily willing to back to the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants right? To come back and play with Eli Manning, who might've moved into elite status by his play in the playoffs right? Well Plaxico Burress proves once again why NFL wide recievers are the biggest primma donna's in sports.

"Me and my agent are trying to get a deal done so I can stay a New York Giant for a long time," Burress said. "I, personally, don't like the waythey're going and I am not happy about it. I am choosing not to participate," per ESPN.com.

This is coming from a so-called, "professional" player? I thought most "professionals" in any job carry their business and complaints like mature adults instead crying about it. His frustrations and comments are that of a 12 year old. Burress is making $4.1 million a year and he's unsatisfied about his contract? Unfortunately players like Burress grow the biggest ego ever which makes everyone else suffer. Burress has his one shining moment in the Super Bowl, and now all of a sudden, he thinks he's a lock for the Hall-of-Fame.

This is why the NFL is starting to turn into a soap opera. Instead of hearing daily reports on how the rookies are looking in the Giants mini-camp or what players suffered injuries, you're hearing the constant whining of Burress and how he's going to sit out of mini-camp until he gets a new contract. Burress has not only made himself to be a distraction to the New York Giants front office, but he's made a distraction to his team. Right now the Giants should be celebrating and rejoicing at mini-camp after the Super Bowl win. No, no, that can't happen because Plax has put a sour taste upon the Giants camp. As days go by, he'll continue to act like a child, instead of a professional until he gets what he wants for his own benefit.

To be honest, what has Plaxico Burress accomplished to be worthy of a big pay-day? Yes, he was instrumental in the playoffs and without Burress, I doubt the Giants make it to the Super Bowl, let alone win it. So for the first time in maybe his career, Burress actually came up big in important games.That's the problem though, except for last year's playoffs, he's never shown that he can be capable of making a clutch catch to win a game or show any leadership whatsoever to will his team to victory.

Throughout his whole career in New York, Burress has caught passes from Eli Manning. Manning early on in his career struggled quite a bit and it showed. Quarterbacks like Manning need a wide receiver that can be his "go-to guy". Tom Brady has Randy Moss, Peyton Manning has Marvin Harrison, Carson Palmer has Chad Johnson, etc Unfortunately though for Eli, he never had that guy that he can depend on, which forced the idea that Manning was a bust because he couldn't come up in clutch situations.

This is where Plaxico Burress comes in. Burress was easily the best play-maker the Giants had the past couple years. His height, hands, and elusiveness were evidence of it. But at the end of close games, he would curl up like a cat and be so non-existent, you wouldn't even know he was on the field.

Last year was Burress's seventh season as an NFL player. At about the fifth season, I consider wide receivers like Burress to be able to rise up to the challenge of being that 'go-to guy'. However, Plax didn't want to be that guy. For Burress, in those situations would be the right time for him to be selfish. Selfish enough to want the ball, just like the great ones do. Manning needed Burress to be selfish and want the ball, but he never delivered.

So many times the Giants have been in situations where they could've collected a better seed in the playoffs to up their chances of going to the Super Bowl, but couldn't because they would lose in the end. A big part of this blame goes to Burress. Wide receivers in today's game have to play hero at the end. So do quarterbacks, but they must depend on the play of their wide receiver. Sadly though for the number 10 quarterback that could've really benefited from Burress, didn't benefit his presence in tight games.

Burress never had the killer instinct to play 'Superman', and win a game or two for the Giants. Now I'm not saying everything was on him. Of course others could've stepped up, but like I said before, Burress was easily the most athletic player on the Giants offense. He's the type of guy you'd expect to make the game-winning catch.

Even with the way he came up clutch and helped Manning immensely in last year's playoffs, I doubt Burress can keep coming up clutch in the future. It's not like fairy dust has been magically sprinkled on him, and now he'll be the next Jerry Rice at the end of games. Yes, his play in the playoffs and Super Bowl could turn him around but we still don't know yet and judging by his past performances, there's still some serious doubt he can keep that up. Sometimes players have a 'flash in a pan' time period where they're excellent and can't be stopped. Soon after though, they set right back into reality and are the same players they always have been.

Plaxico Burress will have to prove to not only me, but to others he can maintain the play he had during the playoffs and Super Bowl. Right now many people are doubting him, and for good reason. He hasn't reached his full potential yet and is sometimes lazy (see his effort against "Pac Man" Jones in 2006). Instead of complaining so much about how he wants money or how he doesn't like the way the Giants are running things, how about he just goes out there and shows them that he deserves more than he's getting. If next season Burress plays the way we all know he can, then he'll have something to gripe about. But until then, please Plaxico Burress, just 'hush-hush' and play your game.

It's Not Over For 'The Kid' Yet

It happened so quickly. Three years after drafting #1 pick, Sidney Crosby, the Pittsburgh Penguins are back in the Stanley Cup Finals. But it wasn't easy, not even close.

For the better part of the decade, the Penguins were rebuilding for the future. Stock piling on top draft picks and were supposedly 'tanking', in order to receive those top picks. In 2003, they selected Marc-Andre Fleury, who was dubbed as their 'franchise goalie'. Then the year after, Pittsburgh welcomed Russian superstar and world-class talent, Evgeni Malkin. But then in 2005, the Pittsburgh Penguins hit the jackpot. Miraculously in the NHL lottery, the ball came up as a Penguins logo and they won the 'Sidney Crosby Sweepstakes'. Crosby, who was dubbed as "The Next One", would forever change the hockey culture in the 'Steel City'.

As noted before, the rebuilding wasn't easy, in fact, it was down right painful sometimes. For years, the franchise had to deal with several threats for them to move to another city. This sometimes took the focus off hockey which derailed some seasons for the lowly Penguins. Attendance was real low at the time and it seemed like the city of Pittsburgh, except for die-hard Penguins fans, really didn't cared if the Penguins moved. Sure when the Penguins were good they loved them, but Pittsburgh was more about their beloved Pittsburgh Steelers and to an extent, the Pittsburgh Pirates. Yes, times for hardcore Penguins fans were rough. Not only did they have to suffer watching players such as Rico Fata, Milan Kraft, Dick Tarnstrom and so many others stink up the ice for many years. But they had to deal with the possibility, that the city of Pittsburgh might lose their hockey team.

However, one man or better yet, one 'kid' has transformed the Pittsburgh Penguins into an elite team and is a major reason why the Penguins are staying in Pittsburgh. He's given life to a city that hasn't had this much significant interest in hockey since the Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr days. In Mellon Arena, where they've sold out 67 straight times, jerseys of Sidney Crosby are everywhere. He's made the Penguins to one of the worst teams in the league year in year out, to one of the best. The Penguins turn around in the 2006/2007 season, was the biggest turnaround in NHL history. Then, in only his third season, #87 led his Pittsburgh Penguins back into the Stanley Cup Finals.

For the NHL, this was a dream match-up. The young, explosive Pittsburgh Penguins against the old, experienced Detroit Red Wings. On one end, you've got superstars in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. On the other end, you've got future hall-of-famer Nikolas Lidstrom and elite playoff performer, Henrik Zetterberg. Many of the experts and fans from both sides predicted this series to go six or seven games. It was supposed to be a classic series with stars all over the ice.

In the end though, the Penguins showed their youth by losing to the Red Wings in six games. Yes, the series went out to six games as expected. Yes, the Penguins were never out of it, until they were truly out of it. However, the Wings just dispatched everything the Penguins did. Every game the Penguins struggled to get a solid offensive shift going unless they were on the power play. While on the other side, the Wings had the puck in the Penguins zone for most of every game and out-shot the Pens by a staggering 212-142. For the whole series, it seemed like the Wings had more players on the ice than the Pens. The Wings were better in all phases of the game. They played tough, aggressive hockey while their offense was still finesse like - the perfect combo to beat the Penguins.

Crosby and company were no match for the Wings. They put up a strong effort and that game 5 where they won in three overtimes, will remain in their minds forever. However, it's simple, Detroit had that killer instinct that all championship teams show, while the Penguins were just happy to be there.

If you think this will be the last time that Crosby plays in a Stanley Cup Finals though, oh how wrong you will be.

When Crosby came into the league, he was hyped up for his astonishing and incredible master piece, that is his hockey skills and hockey smarts. But what Crosby was also hyped for, which went unnoticed by many, was how he was and still is so insanely driven to be the best. For Crosby, it isn't about wanting to be the best. No, it's more of needing to be the best, not only for himself, but his team around him. Sure Crosby makes his team much better with his play, that sometimes no one can stop. More importantly though, Crosby makes his team much better by his leadership. The way he has the ability to literally will his team to victory will make him one of the greats in the game. This desire, hunger and ability he possess will also make him a Stanley Cup champion as well.

His answer is the same every year. He wants to feel what it's like. He wants to kiss it over and over again. He wants to raise that 35 pound, big silver object with thousands of names on it. Yes Sidney Crosby's main goal year in and year out, is to win possibly the most glorified trophy in all of sports, that is the Stanley Cup.

Now any hockey player can have that goal, in fact, most players do have that goal. But it's different with Crosby. The look in his eye and the presence he possess about winning is out of the ordinary. He wants to know how Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Bobby Orr felt in their 'hay day'. He's grown up watching the greats, now he wants to be one of the greats. Only true champions have this trait about them. The trait to dream and believe to the highest. Gretzky, Lemieux, and Orr all had those dreams. Now Sidney Crosby has had that dream since the day he was born, and it'll be tough to try to stop that dream of his.

Crosby is so poised to win it all, that he's even stated that he would take a pay-cut in order to win the Stanley Cup. Talk about being unselfish. Most players dream about winning the Stanley Cup, but most would rather take the big pay-check. Do you really think that someone with that much hunger will get shut out in his career? Do you really believe that someone with that mindset, that motor that keeps him going, will go down as a playoff-bust? No, I don't think so either. He's too good of a player and leader on and off the ice for that to happen. For a 'kid' that is only in his third season, is already thinking about winning the Stanley Cup now, I'm sure somehow, someway with his abilities he'll get there. Whether it's in Pittsburgh, or it's in another city, I don't know, but he has all the tools to get there and win.

There's no doubt in my mind that Sidney Crosby can lead a team all the way. He has everything, the play-making ability, the smarts, the leadership, etc. He doesn't need to be the 'go-to-guy' though in Pittsburgh. Crosby's team is full of young guns that will eventually turn into elite players. Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury can already make a case as an elite goaltender. Evgeni Malkin is already one of the top five players in the league, Staal is turning into a solid third line centre, and other players such as Kris Letang and Ryan Whitney are developing well for the young Pens. So in a way, Crosby never needs to do it all for them, even though he will try anyway. Crosby can depend other players like Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal and even Marian Hossa, if GM Ray Shero decides to keep him, to step up if he's struggling. How does he know that he can depend on others? When Crosby was out for three months, due to a high ankle sprain, Malkin went on a tear and it seemed like Crosby was never even out.

With the Penguins roster already stacked as it is for the coming years, Crosby should have plenty of opportunities.

The Detroit Red Wings were just way too strong for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals. They couldn't be stopped and it took the Penguins a full 110% effort in order to win a game. However, this is a great learning experience for Crosby. All this will do is fuel him for next year to win it. After having that sour taste in his mouth for the next several months, look for Sid 'the Kid' to be on a roll next year, along with his team.

The Red Wings showed why they're champions, Crosby and his band of Penguins showed why they will be champions in the near future.

We Wish It Was You, Ken Griffey

Last year at this time the baseball world was patiently waiting for Barry Bonds to hit his 756th home run, which ended up passing Hank Aaron on the all-time home run list. Baseball fans had to endure the soap opera that was Barry Bonds career. We had to hear about the steroid controversy with Bonds and his comments about how 'the record wasn't tainted', in his own words. Then every once in a while, the media reports how Bonds is a locker room cancer and reports his always silly, immature comments. The end-less drama happened for a a string of years over and over again.

Now that Cincinnati Reds outfielder, Ken Griffey Jr. is silently on the brink of hitting his 600th home run, fans wish it was Griffey, not Bonds, that would have the all-time home run record.

At the beginning of Griffey's career, he appeared to be a lock for the Hall of Fame. Griffey was on a roll in the 90s and hit his 400th career home run at only 29 years old. Griffey's career seemed like it would last for a long time and there were already premature talks of Griffey passing Aaron for the all-time home run leader. The sweet stroke that Griffey possessed in the 90s, feared pitchers every time he came up to bat. His personality and character made him a fan favorite by everyone. He never seemed to possess the cockyness and arrogance that some players do. Mostly humble and quiet, Griffey let his game do the talking, and boy did he ever let his game do the talking. Griffey was tearing the league up in the 90s, right before he started to tear up his own body....

The only way to keep a player like Griffey out of the game is injury. Throughout his young career in Seattle, Griffey never had any significant injuries that kept him out of the game. Lack of injuries in his career enabled Griffey to get on a fast start at the home run record that many were predicting him to take over.

However, the decline of his career was when he was traded to Cincinatti. From 2000-2004, Griffey was plagued by a string of injuries. From 2002-2004, Griffey suffered season-ending injuries. Griffey wasn't the same player throughout the 2000's because of the reoccuring injuries he sustained and it was evident. His bad speed was lowered, resulting in less power and fewer home runs. The effortless swing that bombed so many homers in his career before wasn't as effective. The way everybody was on the edge of their seats, waiting for what Griffey was going to do next with his bat didn't happen nearly as much. Of course Griffey was still a fan favorite for what he did in Seattle and what he could still do (it's not like he's a terrible player). Unfortunately for Griffey, his career was held back significantly by parts of his bodies turning an awkward way or failing on him.

Let's play 'make believe'. Let's make believe that from 2000-2004, Griffey was healthy and he never suffered those painful-to-watch-injuries. Let's make believe that Griffey stayed on his tremendous run through those years and kept climbing the all-time home run list.

If all of that occurred, the famous title, "Home run King", wouldn't belong to Barry Bonds, but instead to Ken Griffey Jr.

Unfortunately though for baseball, we couldn't have an exciting player chase the record as baseball would watch and anticipate a new leader. No, instead, we had a giant maniac that cared more about his ego than the game of baseball. Someone that always put himself over others, even if that meant the expense of his own team. Someone that was always a ticking bomb, just ready to explode. Let's face it, other than his teammates and fans, no one liked Bonds. With Bonds, the hatred was beyond baseball and culminated from him being arrogant. In a way, baseball fans weren't watching the memorable home run chase, they were watching the steroid controversy and his comments about how the record isn't 'tainted', when we all know it is.

This time though, wrong prevailed right. Ken Griffey Jr. could've been the one that the 'media darling'. With Griffey, there would've been no mention of steroid use. Baseball could've have a player that they could hang their hat on and use Griffey as an example that baseball isn't all that screwed up. The new 'home run king', would've actually been clean, which is what the baseball world exactly needed at the time.

The nation commends Griffey for not using steroids. They commend him for not cheating the system to make himself better. They commend him for not disgracing himself and the game of baseball, only for his own selfish needs and pleasures. Sure, with steroids, Griffey probably would've healed from all those injuries much faster, but he didn't. He played the game fair which is something you don't see now-a-days. Griffey knew he didn't have to load up on HGH or anything like that because he knew he didn't need it. Griffey had an eye for the ball that was greater than the muscles inside his body. Ken Griffey Jr. was everything that Barry Bonds was not in baseball. He was a student of the game and didn't take the 'easy route' by using steroids or HGH. Instead, Griffey actually worked hard and put the extra effort. Oh and I guess it can be assumed that Griffey got stronger in the weight room too, instead of some guy putting needles into him.

In a recent poll conducted by Sports Illustrated, they asked 495 MLB players who their all-time favorite baseball player was. Griffey, not surprisingly, was the second most popular player, only beaten out by Nolan Ryan. There's a reason for that. Griffey's personality, character and most importantly, class, has made him a fan and player favorite. The way he represents himself on and off the field makes him a role model for younger players. Rarely does Griffey show off for the camera or is cocky about his game, even though he has all the right to do so. Instead, Griffey is always humble and giving credit to other players on his team.

This is what separates Griffey from Bonds. Bonds was a headcase that couldn't control himself over any situation. Griffey, on the other hand, was always calm and never let anything get to him. Griffey never sought out to bash a teammate if they did something wrong, other than Bonds when he would rip not only teammates, but his own managers. Honestly, who decides to rip the guy who makes the decision on whether or not to play you that night? Who decides to rip the guy who could have you off the team like that. This is why Griffey is such a lovable guy in baseball. Regardless of what happens, Griffey has his head on straight and doesn't say inappropriate and incorrect things. Unfortunately for Bonds, he did, which is why every time he came up to plate in a away stadium, he got booed.

After so many years Griffey has been trying to capture that World Series ring he's been striving for. In the 90s, year after year, the Mariners were considered one of the top teams in the league. However, the farthest they've got was the ALCS, which they lost to the Cleveland Indians. What's so interesting about the post-season failures that Griffey had was that stuff like that never got to him. The next year he was in spring training and preparing for another eventful season. During the off-season, his name was rarely mentioned unless it was for a new video game he would be sponsoring. That's the type of guy that Griffey is and was. Never shining in the spotlight in the negative way. Even now, with the Cincinatti Reds, a team that Griffey has never made the post-season with, he still plays 100%.

Let's compare that with Barry Bonds, who literally handicapped the San Fransico Giants organization himself. Always making stuff bigger than it really is and always had the 'world against me' tenacity. It even goes all the way back to when Bonds played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and got in a heated argument with the Pirates manager, Jim Leyland. Bonds, for his whole career has always acted like everyone was against him. 'Woe is me' could've been the slogan for his career. Whether that came from the media making comments about his play or the steroid scandal, he always had the wrong thing to say.

For decades upon decades from now, baseball fans will see Barry Bonds 756th home run on their television sets, wishing it was you Griffey. We'll imagine what you could've done with your career, if not for those consistent injuries. Young players will look up to Griffey forever now, seeing the perfect example of a hard worker and teammate. No matter what the record books say, in our hearts we wish it was you, Ken Griffey Jr.

Jim Tressel: Rodney Dangerfield of College Football

Back in the old days when everything was so simple, famous comedian Rodney Dangerfield was on top of his game in the funny business. The line that made him famous, "I get no respect", made millions laugh throughout his career. Dangerfield ended up receiving the respect he deserved but his catchy line may also describe an elite college football coach that doesn't get the respect he deserves.

For the past two years, the Ohio State Buckeyes have steamrolled through the Big Ten with ease. Before the 2006 season, there were doubters to whether or not the preseason favorite, Ohio State can go through the season undefeated. OSU would have to replace three All-American linebackers in A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Schlegel along with most of their secondary. Added to the fact that they had to go to Austin for a rematch with Texas and the always tough Big Ten would make it difficult for OSU to go undefeated.

In 2006 though, the Buckeyes proved there doubters wrong and won the Big Ten title by going undefeated. In the National Championship game against Florida, OSU got thumped, losing 41-14, making OSU the laughing stock of college football for the whole summer.

Then before the 2007 season, the majority predicted the Buckeyes to place third or fourth place in the Big Ten. Most of the pundits said they would have a rebuilding year. Can you blame them though? They did lose most of their offense including Heisman winner Troy Smith and first round draft pick Ted Ginn. Not only that but OSU had a rough schedule, as they had to travel to hostile environments such as Washington, Penn State and Michigan (well Michigan isn't that hostile but it's still Michigan). There was real no mention of OSU when discussing who the Big Ten favorites are. Instead, everyone liked to talk about how Michigan was stacked on offense or how P.J. Hill was going to carry Wisconsin to a Big Ten championship.

In the end though the Buckeyes proved the experts and fans of opposing teams wrong by going 11-1 and winning the Big Ten title...again. Just like the previous year though they lose in the National Championship to another SEC team in LSU which fueled fans even more to rag on OSU.

It's becoming a formality now. The doubters doubt OSU every season if they lost a lot or if their schedule is tough. Opposing fans say 'they can't do it again', 'this year they'll be mediocre', 'they'll be soft this year'. In some years that's understandable like last year. OSU wasn't supposed to be good and were supposed to go through a tough rebuilding year. They lost Troy Smith, Antonio Pittman, Ted Ginn, Santoino Holmes, Alex Gonzalez and the list goes on and on. But for the Buckeyes it didn't matter, it never matters. Somehow, some way they always find a way to be one of the best in college football. It doesn't take long to find the man that's responsible for all this. The man that always has OSU prepared no matter. That man is a well known coach in Jim Tressel.

Jim Tressel knows what it feels like to be doubted. Before taking the head coach position at OSU, Tressel was a head coach at Youngstown State where he won four Division 1-AA National Championships and showed up in nine of them. However, when OSU made the decision to hire Tressel as their head coach, Buckeye nation wasn't too excited about the hire. After they fired John Cooper for his poor record against rival Michigan, OSU fans were looking for a big named coach to come and take the reigns. With Tressel though, they didn't get a big name coach and it took many years for OSU fans to finally accept Tressel as their coach for the future.

A big reason why OSU reloads over year is because Tressel is been a madman at the game of recruiting. According to Scout.com, OSU has had a top 15 class for five years except for one year where they finished with the 16th best class. Add this year where Tressel and OSU plan to bring in at least a top three class. Arguably the most important aspect of college football is recruiting. Bringing in the top players that will make your team competitive year in and year out is something that coaches spend hours upon hours a day doing.

So far in his career, Tressel has been one of the best in college football at recruiting. Filling the needs for his team with blue-chip recruits every year is the norm for OSU classes. Tressel first started recruiting mainly in Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Now he dips into the big recruiting states like Florida, Texas, Louisiana, etc. Tressel's recruiting is a big reason why OSU is in BCS games every year and considered part of the 'elite' college football programs.

However, his astonishing recruiting sometimes goes unnoticed because OSU has been blown out of two straight National Championship games. Yes, I do realize that National Championships mean a lot more than recruiting classes, but let's give the man his due every once in a while. Sure his team has been embarrassed the past two years but at least he led his team there which is a lot more than almost everyone else can say.

Like Tressel really needs the attention. He knows that he doesn't need the respect that he deserves because he'll get it in the fall. He knows that even though he's been embarrassed the past two years on the big stage, he'll just go out there and go undefeated again. In fact, dis-respect toward Tressel fuels him ever year. Sure the experts can diss OSU all they want, but in the end Tressel proves them wrong time after time. I'm surprised no one has got it yet. OSU does not rebuild, they reload. The term 'rebuilding', isn't in Tressel's vocabulary. So go ahead everyone, doubt Jim Tressel and Ohio State. Make the predictions that they'll finish in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten. Chances are that Tressel will show why he likes the "I get no respect" treatment.

Jim Tressel is one of the elite coaches in college football, we all know that. His recruiting and coaching strategy has placed him in the upper echelon of college football coaches. However, compared to many other coaches like Urban Meyer, Pete Carroll, Bob Stoops and so on, Tressel doesn't get the respect he deserves.

Baseball Needs Replay To Up Its Image

If baseball in America were to be described in two words, it would be described as 'old school'. Baseball doesn't have the glitz and glamour that football or basketball does. Players don't use smack talk to intimidate each other nor do they have the colorful players that everyone likes to rave and talk about. No, in today's world of baseball everything from the stadium to the players is old school. Some like the simplicity of the sport and it's old school nature.

Unfortunately though for baseball being old school can have its setbacks that brings the sport down.Last week New York Mets first basemen Carlos Delgado smacked a fly ball to far left field against the New York Yankees. The ball hit the bottom black part of the yellow foul pole and the umpires initially ruled it fair for a home-run. After a couple minutes of talking it over, the umpires changed the call to foul. This happened when a national audience watched the umpires make a blatant mistake by calling the first ruled home-run, a foul ball.

Later on in the week it happened again as Yankees third basemen Alex Rodriguez hit a home run that barely cleared the wall. However since the umpires saw the hit distance away, it looked like the ball bounced off the wall so it was ruled a double.

This then started a frenzy of angry fans crying out for replay. On television and radio sets across the country, sports talk shows argue and discuss the possibilities of replay in baseball. Many argue that baseball needs to install replay so that calls, like home runs, are correct. That is true and the main reason for replay is to get the calls correct so that a team doesn't get 'screwed over'. However, another reason why baseball needs to install replay is to start to shy away from its old school image.

Replay is in almost every sport. It's used in football, basketball, and hockey, and even though all three sports do it differently, it's still efficient. In sports today technology is being used to its fullest by the invention of replays. MLB needs to get their act together and enter the 21st century with the rest of the major sports. With the use of instant replay, no longer are the days where teams get slighted over a bad call.

However in baseball, teams sometimes do get slighted for wrong calls which upsets the fans. Baseball has the technology to make the calls right and make the game fair. For easy-to-see-home-runs-on-television, it only takes ten seconds to realize that it's either a home run or not. It's not rocket science in most cases. All it takes is one look and a decision is easily made.

The use of replay doesn't even slow the game down. In fact, it speeds it up. Instead of watching a manager spit at an umpire for two minutes, technology would make that two minutes into ten seconds and then further continue the game. For any way to speed up the game would make fans more willing to watch it. The normal fan doesn't want to sit for four hours watching a game. Sure the fan wants to watch a good amount of baseball to feed their appetite. But they don't want to sit there forever to watch the conclusion of the game. It's something that has turned off so many fans in the past. If any shape or form, the MLB can speed the game up faster is nothing but a positive.

Reports are that MLB will experiment the use of replay in spring training next year. There are also reports that the use of replay may not be implemented into baseball until 2010.

Why can't they install it now? Why can't they figure out a solution in the matter of days? Why do they have to wait for 2010 to put it in?

This is what is frustrating sports fans across the country. The lack of doing the most simplest tasks right now is driving fans away from baseball.

Here's a solution to the problem. Do what the NFL does and have one umpire as the replay official up in the booth. Any 'Joe Schmo' could've come up with that. In fact, many analysts have come up with that idea as that has been the majority idea/plan by many baseball experts. It's these little snippets about the decision making of the head officials in baseball that is making baseball a more unpopular sport today.

I'm not saying that replay would fix all that is wrong with baseball. I'm also not saying that it won't erase the 'old school' image in baseball. What I am saying is that if the MLB keeps ignoring this issue and doesn't address it appropriately, it'll will still enforce the idea that baseball is still behind other major sports.

Boston Paper Champions?

Rebuilding a franchise is the most difficult and stressful aspect of being a general manager. If a GM does it wrong, it could take a decade to recover from previous screw ups. In order to rebuild a team back to being competitive, management must draft well and make the appropriate financial moves. Sometimes that means trading away old players and stocking your team with some 'young guns'. In today's world some franchises purposely tank to receive a high draft pick in order to select that "franchise player" who then is expected to build your team to greatness.

However for the Boston Celtics it only took one trade for them to become the doormat in the NBA to one of the best in the NBA. On a late July day, Celtics General Manager Danny Ainge shocked the basketball world when he pulled off possibly the biggest trade in NBA history. The Celtics traded for future hall of famer Kevin Garnett and one of the most accurate 3-point shooters in the game, Ray Allen.

The media had a field day on this as most were predicting this Celtics team to be one of the greatest teams ever. With all star Paul Pierce already on the roster added with Garnett and Allen, the Celtics were dubbed as 'loaded' and 'stacked'. They had three potential hall of famers, all in their primes playing on the same team. It would be a tremendous disappointment if the Celtics don't make the NBA Finals, especially in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics were nicknamed "The Big Three" before the season even started. To give them a name like that already shows that this team was expected to do something incredible this year.

Just like they were expected to, they came out of the 2007/2008 NBA season like gangbusters, winning 20 of their first 22 games. The dynamic trio were the main cause for the eruption early on. It was evident there were no chemistry issues between the three. The bond right away was tight and washed away all the questions such as "can they play together?" The hot streak continued throughout the rest of the season as the Celtics notched up the best regular season record in the NBA. They never went on a losing streak more than three games and even their one three game losing streak only occured once. Going into the playoffs the Celtics were as close as a lock to making it to the NBA Finals as you'll ever see. The media hype for a 'Laker/Celtics' showdown was and still is flowing. The Celtics show though that not all games are played on paper...

It's the Atlanta Hawks. The Atlanta Hawks team that has no experience in the playoffs, is extremely young and even had a losing record going into the playoffs. By everyone's account (except for some Hawks fans), this series was going to be a walk in the park for the Celtics. No way would the Hawks even stand a chance against "The Big Three". No way would this series go past four games, let alone five games meaning the Hawks would win at least one. The Celtics were expected to dispose the Hawks like no other. In fact, not only were they expected to beat the Hawks with ease, they were expected to do the same for the next round, until maybe the Eastern Conference Finals.

However the Celtics proved once again of that old sports cliche - "Games are not played on paper". As the Celtics throttled the Hawks in the first two games as expected, they had to play and 'finish up' in Atlanta. Unfortunately for Boston, NBA fans found out that the Celtics couldn't finish it up in Atlanta. Instead they lost both games three and four and a game six would be guaranteed. The Celtics would win game six after an easy victory over Atlanta in game five right? Once again, the Celtics can't pull out a victory on the road. Once again, there would be another game guaranteed to be played which would be game seven in which the Celtics crushed the Hawks in. So in the end, the Boston Celtics, "The Big Three" had to suffer a seven game series, in what should've been a four game series.

"We have to play better under stress, there's no doubt about it," Celtics head
coach Doc Rivers said per Boston.com.

It's understandable that maybe the Celtics would come out flat for a couple games. Garnett, Allen and Pierce all have playoff experience, but not together as a team. No one would be surprised to see the Celtics may be coming out a bit rusty on the road against Atlanta. But to have their own coach say "we have to play better under stress," with the players that they have and the experience they've gained in the NBA is inexcusable. It's especially inexcusable when you're playing against the Atlanta Hawks. If the Celtics were to be playing, oh let's say the Detroit Pistons and had some struggle under stress, then it's understandable against a team like them. However, being required to play better under stress by your coach against a bunch of 'kids' that are the Atlanta Hawks when your team has three all stars and a good bench is a disgrace. If Rivers truly believes his team needs to play better against the Hawks, he's in for a world of trouble if the Celtics do move on to play the Pistons and, or the Western Conference winner.

After the Atlanta series, most expected the Celtics to come out fuming against the Cleveland Cavaliers in which they did. They beat down the Cavs in both games one and two, just like they did against Atlanta. Just like the Atlanta series though, the Celtics were deaf-ted by the Cavaliers, twice on the road. The Celtics 'witnessed' what LeBron James can do to a team that's not confident, which on the road the Celtics aren't. It's clear that the Celtics aren't confident in themselves when they play in opposing teams arenas. Even Garnett is showing lack of confidence after James dunked on him. So far the Celtics are 7-0 at home but 0-5 on the road. Not a good omen for a team that has been 'poised' to win the NBA Finals all year long.

It's been said before on recent sports talk shows that the Celtics don't ever need to win a road game in the playoffs because they dominate at home. They're right, the Celtics do dominate at home, everyone has seen the destruction they do to teams in the Boston Garden. However do the Celtics really want to depend on winning all their home games? Especially against a team like the Detroit Pistons or in the NBA Finals against possibly the Los Angeles Lakers. It's not going to work against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. They have the ability to beat the Celtics at home. With the Celtics incredible road woes, it could only take one win for the other team at Boston for the Celtics to lose a series. Now that's obviously easier said than done as Boston has been tremendous at home. But with a team of that caliber, with Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce is unacceptable. Championship teams have to grind out the tough road wins, no matter the opponent, especially when those opponents have been the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

It's unknown whether or not the Celtics will move on to the NBA Finals. Some people are doubting it and even if they do make it all the way, who's to say they'll be able to just keep winning at home? Even with the tandem of Garnett, Allen and Pierce, it'd be hard to win all four games at home against Bryant and the Lakers. The Celtics main goal this year was to win a championship and right now, they still are the favorites. However if they keep sliding the way they are on the road, it'll end up costing them in the near future and they'll be labeled as the biggest 'paper champions' we will have ever seen.

Missed Opportunity For Perrilloux

Examples of student-athletes in college sports especially in college football is fading. Sure there are some good student-athletes that represent their university and themselves appropriately. But now more than ever, the players that receive all the media hype and attention are the ones that most likely find themself in trouble. Schools that usually maintain great reputation have been dealing with troubling players that don't care to commit themselves to their team nor their universities. It's not a matter of having fun with your friends or getting a little crazy. It's a matter of so called "student-athletes" committing serious crimes and doing the most idiotic acts that you wouldn't imagine a person of that age doing.

The most recent case of a "student-athlete" getting into these stupid acts is now former LSU quarterback Ryan Perrilloux. Throughout his short career Perrilloux failed to meet academic and conditioning requirements set by Les Miles. Plus he was late to practice on most occasions. Perrilloux, however made his decision not to meet these requirements several times. He was warned and warned again but unfortunately for him he decided to not commit himself to the team. Perrilloux was given all the chances in the world but he didn't take advantage on any of them. It was clear that Miles wanted and possibly needed Perrilloux on the team by the way he kept believing he would do the right thing. Miles believed that he would actually attend class, be on time for practice and get his conditioning down. For some odd reason Perrilloux had other plans whatever they might've been.

Perrilloux "didn't fulfill his obligation as an LSU student-athlete," Miles said in a statement. "Ryan was given every opportunity to be a part of this football team," per ESPN.com

It's a shame though. In the few occasions when Perrilloux would sub in for Matt Flynn he showed many signs of greatness. Perrilloux was a big, physical and mobile QB who was receiving comparisons to former LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russel. Perrilloux instantly became a fan favorite in Baton Rouge with his elusive moves and strong arm. College football fans began to take notice of Perrilloux's talents. SEC coaches not only had to gameplan for Flynn but they also had to gameplan for Perrilloux when he would make an appearance. The potential that he possessed was incredible. However in the later months the potential he had sustained would be completely wiped out....

Talk about a wasted opportunity. Ryan Perrilloux had it but let it slip through his hands. He was easily LSU's front runner to be the starting quarterback going into next season. If he could keep improving and play up to the potential Tiger nation was waiting to see, he would've had a great shot at the pros as well. His elusiveness and football instincts were going to take him far. However his instincts outside of football is what led him to being kicked off the team. It's confusing to most that he would give up an opportunity like this and not commit himself to LSU football. He had a chance to be the quarterback and leader of a elite college football team. He had a chance to lead LSU back to the national championship again where they were last year. Perrilloux also threw out millions and millions of dollars out the window as well. NFL teams love big quarterbacks with strong arms and good mobility. That's what Ryan had. Instead he didn't take care of himself. Instead he decided to be lazy and not care nor commit himself.

I have to commend Les Miles for doing this. Kicking a player off the team with Perrilloux's intangibles and talent isn't an easy thing to do. Especially now that LSU will have to either go with redshirt freshman Jarret Lee or Harvard transfer, junior Andrew Hatch, both whom have no experience. In college sports you don't see this often where a coach has the courage and confidence that his team will be fine without said player. Good job Les.

This isn't all about Ryan Perrilloux either. This is about LSU fanbase and university. Perrilloux let not only himself down but LSU down as well. They were counting on this kid just like every other fanbase counts on their quarterback to lead them to the promise land. As anyone who watches college football knows that college students are one of the most hostile group of people you'll ever see. Perrilloux won't see LSU forgive him for this, nor forget about this either. Hopefully someone gives Perrilloux some advice to not show his face around Baton Rouge or the LSU campus because the hatred spewed at him will be relentless. Perrilloux's laziness and effort less style will have him pay the consequences. For the rest of his life no one will ever live this down to him.

I feel bad for Ryan Perrilloux, I really do. Someone with all the talents in the world just to never have any motivation to showcase said talents. To see an athlete with so much potential and for that potential to be wasted because the athlete didn't care is an unfortunate thing to see. Whether you feel bad for him or not, the kid made one of the biggest mistakes if not the biggest mistake of his life. This will not only impact him now but in the future as I'm sure the outlook on him will be much different. Hopefully the kid gets his head on straight and turns his life around.