First off, I am not really a fan of the Patriots. I admire their consistent success, and obviously Tom Brady is this century's Joe Montana, however I was kind of glad when I heard he was going to be out for the season. While the league loses its best player for a year, it really shakes everything up around the whole NFL, and for once, the Patriots trip to the post season is not guaranteed.

however in my opinion, I think the Patriots will make the playoffs. Matt Cassel is no Tom Brady, and isn't that great of a quarterback but any QB with Randy Moss and Wes Welker to throw to is going to have success. Laurence Maroney when given the touches, can chew up clock with positive gains consistently. Their defense isn't great, but its good enough. With all these positives, The Patriots could easily make the play offs, but there are still a couple of issues holding them back.

the main thing is how the Patriots handle this Brady issue. The Patriots are known to handle the media and its hype machine very well (last season is a perfect example), however now their field general is knocked out, this could change. Today at least they seemed to take it okay, but any sports fan worth their salt knows how demanding and persistent the Sports Media is. If the Patriots keep their cool, and do not blow this issue up to " Brett Favre" proportions, whoever retains the starting QB job will have a much easier transition.

Then, once they decide whoever their new starting QB is going to be, EVERYONE has to trust them. Whether its Tim Rattay, Chris Simms, or Matt Cassel, Bill Belichick and co. have to let everyone know that they trust that person. Their quarterback should (and probably will be Cassel) simply because he has been in the system much longer and proved in the game that he can at least score some points. Chris Simms is no slouch though, although Tim Rattay is getting way too old to be still getting calls from the NFL.

Keep in mind that this articles title is "Make the Playoffs..." I want to stress the word Playoffs. Unfortunately for Boston fans, it looks like football redemption won't come this year, but its not going to be a losing season either.

Oh the pac 10. home to one of the greatest dynasties in all of sports (USC) and to one of the worst football teams in a major conference (ahem..Washington State). and also the worst officiating the world has ever seen.

I can't think of a better example of the officiating crews outright disgusting work, than the BYU Washington game today. I (and my whole family) bleed purple and gold so even WE were excited when Jake Locker ran in for the "tying" touchdown. So, imagine how excited Jake Locker was after that score. Excited enough to throw the football in the air and celebrate with his teamates.

and yet, this official believed this to be excessive. throwing a football apparently is like throwing a grenade.

I understand the idea of penalizing teams and players for excessive celebrations, but only if the celebration is the equivalent to a celebration that Chad Johnson or Terrell Owens. However, Jake Locker was not being over the top with his celebration by ANY MEANS. Jake Locker celebrated out of pure joy and elation, because that play he made would have changed the game entirely. His celebration could have been used on the cover of Sports Illustrated, as we (in the best case scenario) upset a top 15 team. Instead a Pac 10 official decided to destroy what could have been a thrilling game.

I think the NCAA rules on excessive celebration is excessive in itself. Why is throwing a football into the air considered a problem? its not like he threw it AT an opposing player. He just threw behind his head. I heard on the radio that the refs also thought it was a taunting gesture, but why on earth would somebody throw a ball in the air to taunt somebody.

Its also ridiculous, because in Basketball, the National Champion always throws the basketball into the air after they win. A BASKETBALL. A basketball would hurt a lot more if it hit you in the head than A FOOTBALL.

Today, the Pac 10 refs raised the bar in horrible refereeing. Win or lose, that touchdown would have been a great moment for Husky fans all over the country. instead, fans are denied an already great game becoming a OT battle for the ages, and the Pac 10 refs put on a "Super Bowl XL"-esque performance.

As a Husky AND Football fan, I am left disapointed today.

Also, hopefully Darrin Harris will make a speedy recovery from the injury he suffered from today's game.

As I watch Game 3 of the NBA Finals, I can't help but remember Tim Donaghy's "confessions" about referees fixing play off series in 2002 and 2005. At this point, I think everyone can agree that the NBA has the worst officials of the "big 3" sports leagues. In a season where the Playoffs/Finals ratings are blooming (32% increase from last year), The NBA desperately needs to dispel all these conspiracy theories about the officiating. Phil Jackson mentioned the possibility of the NBA officials being a seperate entity from the NBA. I would have to agree, but unfortunately this probably won't happen. I have a more radical solution to this officiating problem. I call it "the Clay Bennett method".

First off, allow me to explain the name to those misinformed of the situation currently in my home state of Washington. Clay Bennett has decided to slowly destroy a once revered organization known as the Seattle Sonics, by completely rebuilding the team, and eventually moving them to Oklahoma. Now, I'm not saying we take the officiating headquarters to Tulsa, but I think that the officials need a complete overhaul. Perhaps keeping a couple "veterans" if you will, for stability such as the crew currently working Game 3. But I think all the other referees need to go, and the less experienced officials need to be given a chance. With younger, unknown referees, coaches and fans will have no excuse for a loss. And unlike rebuilding a basketball team, these Refs aren't necessarily new to the league. They are just simply unknown, and haven't caused any controversy

The final part of this transformation, is for the NBA to save face. They have to say that this transformation was not entirely because of Donaghy's Statements. This is the truth, because in reality, the NBA should do this overhaul in order to keep their fan base before Donaghy's statements get out of hand. If this transformation were to happen, it would truly push the NBA over the top, and the TV ratings will improve significantly.

Finally let me say this definitely has NO chance of ever happening. This officiating issue cannot be solved with controversy. the decision the NBA will be making is who the controversy will affect.

First, I apologize for my ridiculous time frame between articles, I have just had way too much homework to be able to get write an article, but here I am once again.

I really think broadcasting the Draft Lottery is a stupid idea: it just lacks any pizzazz or any real interest factor. But this year changed that, with the Bulls getting the top pick.

not only did it shake up whats usually the most boring event in sports next to the world series of poker, it gives the Bulls a great oppritunity to start afresh. This is how i think these picks will end up happening:

Bulls- Michael Beasley, Kansas State- A lot of people have Rose going here, which I don't really understand. Sure he is a Chicago native, but they already have Kirk Hinrich. Granted Hinrich had a bad season this year, but I think the Bulls should trust him more than Rose. Not to mention, Beasley is easily the best overall player in the draft.

Heat- Derrick Rose, Memphis- Jason Williams is not getting any younger, and his ability to makes plays is fleeting. Rose is a great scorer, and can also dish. Him and Wade would make one helluva back court, and Rose would be a great foundation for the Heats rebuilding process.

Timberwolves- Jerryd Bayless, Arizona- A great slasher to the basket, Jerryd could easily take the starting position from Randy Foye. He's not nearly as good as Rose, but he is a suitable replacement to Foye.

Supersonics/whatever Oklahoma decides to call them- Brook Lopez, Stanford- Lopez is the best center in this draft. Unless the Sonics staff does something stupid *big surprise there* I think they'll draft Lopez to make up for the mess that was/is Robert Swift. With Lopez, Durant, and Green, the Sonics will be great....in 6 years.

Grizzlies- Deandre Jordan, Texas A&M- They could opt for Mayo at this pick, but they are already stacked at the guard positions, so my money is on them drafting for need and grabbing a major upside pick.

Knicks- OJ Mayo, USC- Donnie Walsh has to get fans back in the seats. The key to that is making a sexy pick. Mayo is a great offensive player, and will get fans to come back to MSG, but the Knicks will still remain in chaos.

Clippers- Who cares?- Have the Clippers made any really intelligent picks of late? is there really a point in putting a specific person here? my money is on someone no one has heard of, from a different country.

Bucks- Eric Gordon, Indiana- The Bucks are stacked in all of their positions, except shooting guard. Gordon is a suitable back up to Redd, and eventual replacement if everything goes right.

Bobcats- Kevin Love, UCLA- Michael Jordan probably isnt interested in an upside pick. Kevin Love is the best Power Forward available, and the most NBA ready.

Nets- Anthony Randolph, LSU- with Devin Harris and other youth players, I think the Nets will take another player with huge upside.

Pacers- DJ Augustin, Texas- Everybody says his size is a problem, but i really don't think thats very important. Jamal Tinsley is not getting any younger, and Augustin is a terrific passer/ 3 point shooter.

Kings- Joe Alexander, West Virgina- Alexander is a hard worker and he'll be able to be a post presence in the NBA for years to come.

Blazers- Darrell Arthur, Kansas- Arthur can be dominate *his performance in the national championship game was incredible*.Nate McMillan is a great coach *WE MISS YOU IN SEATTLE* and can mold Arthur into a great post man.

Warriors- Russel Westbrook, UCLA- The Warriors have a lot of choices with this pick. They could go with Batum, a dude out of France, or they could go with Westbrook, who if they were to ship off Baron Davis off to rebuild, would be a great floor general to their already young nucleus of players.

This draft is not nearly as intriguing as the last year, but at least the lottery was mildly interesting.

I commented on the article reporting that Kobe was winning the award saying that there was no clear cut winner in this MVP race. I still stand by this opinion, because all of the candidates had stellar seasons.

However, it still escapes me how Chris Paul could not get the award. While Kobe and Lebron scored and (occasionally) dished, Chris Paul played on a consistent level and consistently made his team and himself better. He led the league in Assists, with 11.1 a game. David West is very talented, yes, but do really think he would have had an All Star season without Chris Paul?

I feel that Value in MVP should be more stressed here, and not the Player. Players can have eye popping scoring averages, but does that truly make their TEAM better? I feel that Chris Paul is the catalyst for the New Orleans Hornets, and is also the best PG in the NBA right now.

Don't believe me? Just look at the facts. Last season, the Hornets were 39-43. This season they have improved by almost 20 games with 56-26. You can't credit that jump entirely to CP3 but he definitely was a part of it. Without Chris Paul's terrific season, do you think the Hornets would be in the position they are currently in? on the verge of beating the best *cheaters* in the NBA? I don't think so.

I do not intend to insult Kobe and his terrific season, I just feel that Chris truly carried the Hornets to the position they are in, which is the brink of an NBA Championship.

I apologize for the horrible headline, but its the best one i could think of. As a Suns fan, I was always apprehensive about the Shaq trade. Shaq is far beyond his peak. If this trade had happened in the 2006-07 season, I would understand. But really, I don't understand Mike D'antoni's logic. I mean when you look at the previous season, the Suns were terrific. Their offense fired on all cylinders, and they lost a hard fought series to the spurs (who cheat, but more on that another time). This season, the Suns still managed to make the play offs, and almost got swept by the Spurs. It is not entirely Shaq's fault, yes, but i feel that Shaq really disrupted that offense. in the 2006-07 season, Steve Nash lead the league in assists. However this season, that honor is taken by Chris Paul (who deserves it don't get me wrong). The Suns are a much more talented team than the Hornets from a player standpoint, so logically Nash should lead the league in assists consistently. However i truly feel that Shaq slowed them down this year,and it almost seemed like the Suns staff was making excuses for signing him. For example signing him to be "a presence in the locker room" is a load of bull. I'm no NBA GM, but if one of the reasons you sign a guy is because of his great attitude in the locker room, you could really sign anyone. After Shaq joined the Suns, their record was not nearly as good as it was last season. I understand why they would want shaq for interior defense. but really signing him made them even more weak on the perimeter.

The only way really this situation could be fixed would require a Flux Capacitor. If Phoenix had not traded Joe Johnson, Had Signed Rajon Rondo, and hell maybe even held onto Kurt Thomas, this whole situation would be different. With Joe Johnson, they would have a great scorer, and unhappy Marion would become Expendable. With Rondo, you have a flashy back up, giving Nash some time on the bench. Even with Thomas, you get a fairly good defender, who can also knock it down mid range, a great attribute in a fast break offense. If all this had happened, I strongly believe the Suns would be in contention, or would have won a championship by now.

The Suns of the past two years have been great to watch yes, But they could never win a championship with the kind of players that they had. It just goes to show, you really should take youth seriously, instead of gunning for a championship immediately by signing aging veterans (see: Dallas Mavericks).

Thanks to Kode-Esh for the stats.

Tyler Hansbrough Never seems to leave the eye of the sports media. Its come to the point really where I think he actually lives in Bristol, CT. I was watching Sportscenter this morning, like any dedicated sports fan should, where they aired a story on Tyler jumping off a frat house balcony and into a pool. If it was any other athlete, or really any other person I find it admirable. But really, I am sick and tired of "Psycho T" getting so much press. It was bad enough that they wasted 5 minutes of cable television on this irrelevancy, but they even brought in a beat writer from Chapel Hill and asked him about it. Does anyone really care that much about this? I mean really? Asking a beat writer "the fans reaction" of the incident is more important than MLB highlights? Contrary to what ESPN seems to believe, not everyone that watches Sportscenter is from Chapel Hill.

This whole thing bothers me immensely *if you couldn't already tell* mainly because if any other NCAA Athlete did something along the lines of this, maybe a couple of bloggers would pick it up. But with Tyler Hansbrough, it doesn't really matter what he does. If Tyler were to walk within a 100 mile radius of Bristol, Connecticut and tie his shoe, ESPN would probably somehow know about it, and make it one of the Top Ten Plays.

Tyler Hansbrough isn't even that good of a basketball player, anyway. Yes, he is a good post presence, with that weird shot put lay up hybrid thing, but can he pass? No. Is his Jumper Remotely good? No. He is not a complete player. Michael Beasley is a far better and far more complete player. Whereas Beasley seems guaranteed at NBA stardom (his college stats were better than Durant's. that has to count for something), Hansbrough seems doomed to bust despite all this "hall of fame" "millions of dollars talk"

So please, ESPN. Either have a story about a basketball player *not a free throw shooter*, or just maybe... I don't know...have something relevant to say? maybe? I would apperciate it greatly.

Also, If you live in Chapel Hill, I expect you to disagree with this article. Thats fine by me. Because when all comes down to it, even if he puts up gigantic numbers, Tyler Hansbrough can't win a championship.