Dunk Contest

This year was the first year in probably the last ten that I didn't watch the NBA slam dunk contest.  Why?  Nobody does it anymore.  The guys out there now use it as a way to get their name to the fans, but most of them hardly ever play.  Very few new dunks are being done.  I know it's not easy to think of four original dunks, but at least one per player should be required.  Players don't spend enough time prepping and perfecting their dunks either.  If this continues, the dunk contest mine as well be canceled for good.  For some reason players like Lebron must think they're too good to be doing the dunk contest.  Not sure why, but that's the vibe I get from them.  If they participated, ratings would soar and the dunks might be a lot more exciting and original.  The greatest moments in dunk contest history all involved the best players in the game at the time, with the exception of Spud Webb.  Michael Jordan, Dr. J, Clyde Drexler, Dominique Wilkins, Vince Carter, etc.  When I saw the field for this year's event, I didn't even bother considering watching the snoozefest.  That glow in the dark dunk was one of the cheesiest things I've ever seen on television.  I hope in the next few years the event at least sees some upgrade in talent and originality.  Maybe some new rookies we'll spice things up for next year's All-Star weekend.

Pat Knight

I've always been a big fan of Bobby Knight and his antics.  As a coach I love that he didn't take less than 100% and the fact that he would always roast a journalist if they asked a specific question they knew he wouldn't want to be asked.  There are numerous youtube videos online showing his rants full of cussing and other offensive language.  But at the same time, he's an all around good guy and a knowledgeable commentator.  When I heard about Lamar Head Coach Pat Knight (Bobby Knight's son) ripping into his seniors, my eyes were immediately fixed upon an ESPN article about the rant.  Knight was quoted calling his senior class, "We've got the worst group of seniors right now that I've ever been associated with."  He also went on to criticize their work ethic both on and off the court.  Personally, I love these comments.  Hearing about a bunch of college athletes who are going to college for free and not putting a great effort on the court is disturbing.  It's bothersome to think that Division I college athletes aren't making the best of their great situation.  There are so many kids who would do anything to be in their shoes who would make the best of such a great opportunity.  I think having a coach with Pat Knight's expectations of discipline and effort both in and out of the classroom would do wonders for a program like George Mason.  Watching our basketball team the past 2 years has made we wonder if we need a coach who doesn't tolerate whining and complaining on the court so much.  Major programs and their players are usually told to let the coach do the complaining.

Redskins Free Agency

The Skins have a number of notable free agents this offseason.  Including Linebacker London Fletcher, who continues to lead the NFL in tackles year after year.  Not re-signing him at least another year or two would be a mistake.  Fred Davis has also done a nice job filling in for Chris Cooley, who seems to be injured more than he's available.  He displayed a play-maker mentality last year many times.  If Skins fans know one thing, its that every offensive weapon is a must on this team.  Every year the Skins seem to rely solely their stout D, while the offense puts up a meager 14-17 points every game.  Maybe 20 with an overtime.  While Fletcher and Davis I think should certainly be resigned, other should go.  This includes Grossman and one of our very many kickers that end up being terrible until they leave Washington.  Grossman is not cutting it if the team ever wants to make the playoffs and compete again in the always deep NFC East.  Relieving Dante Stallworth would add significant cap room for another younger receiver who could develop with whoever the Skins pick up at quarterback.  I've seen a few other articles writing about LaRon Landry and why he should go after two injury plagued seasons in a row.  I disagree to some extent.  Yes he's been injured, but when he's playing he adds another dimension to the defense.  He instills fear into receivers running over the middle because of his hard-hitting ability.  The death of Sean Taylor really destroyed something that could've been great with him and Landry together playing the safety spots.  

March Madness

For me best post season event in all of sports in terms of everything, is March Madness.  More upsets, last second buzzer beaters and drama occur during this 2-3 week event every year than anything else in college or professional sports.  Every team plays at their absolute best and wants only to survive every week.  Unlike pro basketball or any other pro sport really, any team in the NCAA Tournament is capable of beating a #1 seed at anytime.  Maybe with the exception of a 16 seed beating a one seed.  As the 0 and forever record indicates.  However, just look at the rich history.  Almost every year a #12 seed beats a 5 seed, and a 15 seed has beaten a 2 seed before.  Last year UCONN won the entire thing as a #8 seed.  You don't have to be an avid fan to enjoy this drama either.  At any time you can flip the channel over to a game in its waning minutes to see some mid-major (maybe George Mason) in a close game with some major basketball program.  In fact, Mason's 06 Final Four run is a perfect example of how anything is possible during March Madness.  During their run, Mason took down UNC, UCONN and MSU before losing to eventual national champion Florida.  VCU did the same thing last year and I'm sure most people remember Stephen Curry leading Davidson to within one missed three pointer of the Final Four a few years back.  It's for these reasons that I'm excited for Spring Break to hurry up and get here, so we can all kick back and watch college basketball 12 hours straight everyday for 4 days without being judged.  Why?  Because everyone else is filling out their brackets and watching with you.

Redskins Quarterback Situation

I've been following the Redskins since I was born and they've been losing ever since that happened.  But like all Skins fans think, every year could be the year.  So, I'm sticking with that again this season.  Grossman is not the answer and he never was, we all agree on that.  I'm not a fan of giving Peyton a chance simply because of his age and all the unsuccessful year we've had in this organization.  I would hope we'd draft a quarterback who will be here to stay for many years and turn the organization around for a long while.  RGIII could easily be that quarterback, but like Luck, he'll likely go before the Redskins are able to pick.  I think Matt Flynn is the most logical pick for the team at this point and fits our needs.  He attended LSU and won there during his stint, and even had a great game (400+ yards) in place of Aaron Rodgers earlier this past NFL season.  He's a standard pocket passer with great vision and pocket poise.  Which is exactly what Jason Campbell, Todd Collins, Rex Grossman and Mark Brunell late in his career never possessed.  A fresh start is needed in Washington, and Matt Flynn is on the market to aid a team in need of a field general.  Because of Manning's age and the availability of Luck and RGIII I predict and hope Matt Flynn will arrive hear soon.  Until then, we'll see how the scenario unfolds for our loyal fans who after all these years of losing, deserve a winning team. 

George Mason Basketball

Things aren't looking as comfortable for GMU Hoops as they were last year around this time of year.  The CAA seems to be down this season but the usual top teams are hanging around right where they should be.  ODU currently stands in fourth place after crucial losses to both VCU and GMU.  Mason, Drexel and VCU are all tied at 13-2 for 1st place in the conference with a number 1 seed in the CAA Tournament and potential NCAA at-large bid on the line as the regular season winds down.  Two big games remain for GMU against VCU.  The loss earlier in the season against Delaware was unexpected and will probably bite Mason in the coming weeks with so many teams fighting for NCAA bids.  On top of this, the CAA Tournament will be held in Richmond as usual, giving VCU a leg up on the other contenders.  I'm not a big fan of this location, especially as it is home to one of the top teams in the conference every year.  It just doesn't seem fair to not have it in a neutral location.  For instance, the ACC usually holds their tournament in Greensboro, NC.  Therefore, creating a fair advantage for every team competing in the event.  Anyways, Mason needs to step up their play as the season winds down, particularly at guard.  Guard play becomes particularly important during post season play.  Recent success in tournament play is almost always dictated by solid guard production and lack of turnovers.  Luckily Mason has a few young guards who are only going to get better in Bryon Allen and Corey Edwards.

Collegiate Recruiting and Player Violations

I'm curious as to how others feel about players and their actions regarding recruiting violations and the choices they make knowing the potential consequences, even though many of them have such bright futures in professional sports organizations.  You can think of examples like Cam Newton stealing a laptop the year before he signed a multi-million dollar contract with the Carolina Panthers or Alabama's Mark Ingram driving around in a blacked out Chevy Tahoe with custom rims.  Yes he didn't buy that with his own money unless........... you can fill in the rest.  Why steal a laptop one year before you could buy 1,000 of them?  Why did UNC football players go clubbing and take free flights and other gifts so they could enjoy one night or a weekend of fun?  I don't know.  But it seems they all think they can get away with it.  Records are capable of tracking anything these days.  Cell phones, mail, tweets, facebook etc. are all ways the NCAA can track down players and catch them getting into this kind of trouble.  It's very simple.  Don't except free stuff from coaches or agents, just like any other college student.  But they do it anyway.  The numbers seem to keep rising every year in terms of coach and player allegations, and I'm glad they do.  Technology is enabling the NCAA and other organizations to catch this cheap and unethical behavior from benefiting powerful teams who already have a history of dominance.  If they can't keep winning fairily, then great.  That leaves room for other teams to rise and win fairly for their schools.

UNC - Duke

If anyone saw last Wednesday's Carolina/Duke basketball game, you pretty much saw what seems to happen at least once every other season.  Although UNC leads the all-time series 131 - 102, recent years have shown a much more even trend.  At least one team is always in the top-10, last week's game included both teams in the top-10.  Home court seems to never be a factor, even in the feared Cameron Indoor Stadium.  Over the years rumors have swirled that Duke doesn't air condition the arena so it gets incredibly hot, which opponents aren't used to.  Fans have even suggested they tighten the rims because Duke is always one of the better shooting teams in the NCAA, which also gives them an even greater home court advantage.  Are the rumors true?  Probably not, but only Duke players and coaches know.  But last week's game took place in the Smith Center, which is often criticized for have a "whine and cheese" audience.  It didn't seem that way when Duke executed one of the greatest comebacks ever in the rivalry, which is saying something considering how many there have been.  The crowd was loud and out of their seats for most of the game, which Carolina lead for most of time until Duke rallied in the final 2 1/2 minutes with a barrage of threes and lucky opportunities.  It was a situation where everything had to happen a certain way for Duke to win, and it did.  UNC center, Tyler Zeller, even tipped in what looked like a clear missed three pointer by Duke's Ryan Kelly.  That and missed free throws by the big man lead to Austin River's opportunity to shoot a game winning three right over Zeller as time expired.  One couldn't help but feel bad for the big man who was a huge reason UNC was up three at halftime.  Fans because of his unfortunate series of mishaps quickly forgot his 23 points and 11 rebounds in the waning minutes of the rivalry game. 

Success in Mile High

Last season the Denver Nuggets were a solid playoff team with a superstar, in Carmelo Anthony, who was traded to the Knicks late in the season.  Critics and fans began to wonder if the team would succeed with no superstar and a coach recovering who'd just fought off cancer a few months earlier in the season.  What they didn't predict was how much depth they'd gain from trading Melo.  The Nuggets currently have the second highest scoring bench in the NBA because of additions like Al Harrington and free agency signee Andre Miller.  The New York Knicks probably didn't realize the value of the players traded to the Nuggets for Carmelo Anthony.  Not to understate the value of having a scorer like Carmelo, but the likes of Danilo Galinari and Timothy Mozgov.  Not to mention Raymond Felton, although he was later traded to Portland.  Denver is currently sitting in second place in the Western Conference and has seemingly unlimited depth.  While they may lack star power, Ty Lawson has proven to be the fastest point guard in the league with the basketball, while leading the team in assists and only behind Galinari in scoring.  Galinari's scoring continues to rise as the season progresses.  Nene Hilario returned from injury and has gotten back to his usual ways of dominating the rebounds and eating up space in the paint.  The season is still young, but the Nuggets are proving that you don't need a superstar to have great success.  Depth, a great coach in George Karl and a run and gun offense that leads the NBA in scoring is a proven recipe for wins in this now guard heavy association.  If they remain healthy, don't be surprised to see Denver in the conference finals, or even the NBA Finals.

Where will Peyton Manning go?

A lot of speculation has been going around the NFL and sports media the past few weeks about where Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning will land his next contract.  The Colts owner, Jim Irsay has money, fan approval and the future of the organization relying almost solely on his decision to either retain or say goodbye to the franchise quarterback.  Manning has been such a huge part of the success the Colts have had for over a decade.  His talent and poise has helped turn mediocre wide receivers into the pro bowlers and even won a Super Bowl.  Despite the recent series of spinal fusion surgeries, Manning has stated he plans on continuing his football career.  Whether he'll be in Indianapolis or not, only time will tell.  For Irsay, there are still some issues that may likely lead to Manning's eventual departure from the Colts.  One is how he recovers from the surgeries and if he'll ever be 100%.  The other worry is his ability to be as efficient and produce the remarkable numbers he's posted in recent years.  For instance, Manning threw for 4700 yards and 33 touchdowns during the 2010 campaign.  As of now, Irsay's biggest concern is Manning's health, which is not a good sign.  Resigning him for another contract would mean spending a ton of money, which may be better invested in players for the future and rebuilding the team.  Whatever the decision may be, the team plans on choosing Manning's successor in April, which will likely come down to Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck or Baylor's Robert Griffin III.