It's that time of the year again. Millions of fans are looking forward to watch NCAA college basketball tournament. It promises to be an interesting season full of upsets and buzzer beaters. Fan's spirit goes up and productivity goes down. This is simply what comes with the game. Read the full article, Going Crazy with March Madness - NCAA College Basketball Tournament, for more information and our prognosis.

It was a valiant effort by Eli Manning and Jeremy Shockey didn't leave anything in the tank either. And it's the end of an era with the retirement of Tiki Barber. It's on to a career in broadcasting for Tiki. The resurgent Eagles under the stability of Jeff Garcia were just too much. And if anyone gained from the Romo debacle, it was David Akers. Never was there more concentration and care given to a field goal attempt than the winner on Sunday. No screw-up and storybook runback by the Giants defense. And let's face it, the Giants had a horrible season. Before I leave this game, I have to talk about my game MVP - Brian Westbrook. He's a warrior and practically carried the Eagles on his back. And now it's on to New Orleans where the Eagles will have a very difficult time running against the New Orleans defense.

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What jerseys will show up under the Christmas tree this year? Reggie Bush, LaDainian Tomlinson and Tony Romo, of course.

Although we had a full slate of games yesterday, the games that blew me away were the San Diego Chargers/ Denver Broncos and the Dallas Cowboys/ New Orleans Saints.

Jake Plummer looked pretty upset on the sidelines yesterday as he watched Jay Cutler flush the Bronco season down the toilet -- Shanahan made the move to Cutler prematurely. And how refreshing to watch a natural talent like LaDainian Tomlinson bust through Shaun Alexander's record, giving credit to legendary predecessors like Walter Peyton.

Here is the short version of what went wrong for the New York Giants on Sunday:

-Penalties - 9 for 94 yards, including 4 costly personal fouls;

- Plaxico Burress' newest responsibility - calling the timeout - when none was called;

-Kiwanuka's interception...and immediate fumble;

-The Giants defense - with the game on the line, giving up a 42-yard pass to set up the Cowboys' winning field goal;

- Brandon Jacobs sent in to pick up one yard at fourth-and-1, only to lose 3 yards, ultimately handing the Cowboys a field goal at the half;

-And the most frustrating statistic of all on Sunday - twice inside the Dallas 5-yard line, the Giants came away with field goals - leaving 8 points on the table;

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If you have hockey fans on your holiday list, consider picking up a copy of Stephen Brunt's new book Searching for Bobby Orr. Brunt, a columnist with the Globe and Mail Newspaper, writes a very insightful account about Bobby Orr - the person and the hockey player. Brunt clearly states that this is an unauthorized biography. I am fortunate to have a few memories of seeing Bobby Orr play, but honestly, I was just too young to remember much. Most of my memories of Bobby Orr come from my father and older brother. Having said this, Brunt is able to capture the magic of a player I still consider the greatest to ever play the game.

Stephen Brunt also effectively discusses the evolution of professional hockey and the business of hockey. Whether you have a youngster on your shopping list who has no idea who Bobby Orr is, a parent who had the thrill of watching him play, or a fan of the great Bruin teams of the 1970's, there is something for every hockey fan. Brunt creates such imagery that I found myself wishing that there was a DVD to go with the book - and, as if he is able to read my mind, he reveals that much of the footage of Bobby Orr's playing days is gone forever - "erased or taped over at television networks to save a few bucks".

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There is definitely a recurring theme in the NFL these days – Tony Romo, Vince Young, Phillip Rivers, Matt Leinart - all newborns to the starting quarterback role in the NFL and all wasting no time in solidifying their roles.

First we have Tony Romo, who could have come completely unraveled with all the early season upheaval in Dallas, but instead after being handed the reigns by Bill Parcells, has taken the Cowboys to the top of the NFC East. I hope the network execs are successful in moving the Cowboys/Giants game to Sunday Night on December 3rd – it is clearly the match-up of the week.

That brings us to Vince Young. The Giants loss to the Titans yesterday could spell the end of the Tom Coughlin era in New York. There is simply no excuse. Three straight losses and total humiliation. Remember the elation in New York when they demolished the Minnesota Vikings 41-0 in the playoffs at the Meadowlands a few years ago? ...

Happy Thanksgiving, America. While you're preparing the turkey and selecting your seat for today's NFL menu, here are a few tidbits to chew on. Nothing too heavy, just some thoughts:

• How crazy will the free agency sweepstakes get this year in Major League Baseball? Gary Matthews, Jr. -- 32 years old. .313 with 102 runs, 19 homers, 79 RBI, .371 on base percentage -- price tag? $50 Million for 5 years with the LA Angels. Am I the only one who thinks this is steep? What next? Does this put Barry Zito in Steinbrenner Land for at least 6 years at, I don't know, $85 - $90 Million? And let's not forget about a little negotiation going on between the Boston Red Sox and Scott Boras for a pitcher yet to even throw a ball in the Majors - Daisuke Matsuzaka. After dining in LA last weekend, Matsuzaka is back in Japan and the negotiations have officially begun. I still stay this deal doesn't get done for under $100 Million.

I know the MVP Award isn't based on cumulative stats and consistency, but it is difficult to come up with the right formula for Derek Jeter to get the recognition he deserves - although I suppose this year, a trip to the World Series would definitely have helped his case. His stats were solid this year - .344, 34 home runs and 130 RBIs. So were Justin Morneau's. Jeter also received the Gold Glove award this year. I REALLY value the Gold Glove. Jeter is the anchor for the New York Yankees. He would be the anchor on any team. He would make a difference on any team he played for. And putting up with the heat in New York should count for something -- actually it should count for a lot.

Maybe there would be merit in adding a less human element (shall we say less bias?) to the voting system for the MVP award. Maybe stats should be weighted like in the BCS. Maybe Derek Jeter would finally get the recognition he deserves if all his accomplishments and obstacles were taken into account

When the MVP Award is given out each year, I ask myself one question -- if you were to line up all the finalists along the first baseline and give me one pick, who would it be? Honestly, would you really take Justin Morneau over Derek Jeter?

On Thursday, after you watch the early game between Miami and Detroit, and then settle in for the late afternoon game between Tampa Bay and Dallas, many of us will then tune into the NFL Network for game 3 - Denver at Kansas City - well, at least some of us will. Thursday marks the first of eight televised games on the NFL Network.

The only problem is that the NFL has been less than successful in getting its Network into all those American households in time for the big launch on Thursday. Currently, about 41 million homes receive the NFL Network channel in the U.S.A. So, there will be a lot of unhappy NFL fans at game time Thursday night when the ball is kicked off at Arrowhead Stadium without them.

Saturday -- 3:30 pm -- ABC -- warm up the set and get comfy. It just doesn't get any better than this -- in any sport. Remember, this is the first time in over 100 years that these teams have been ranked 1 and 2. If you're still not convinced to slot this in tomorrow, here's a little stat to think about -- the series record between Ohio State and Michigan is 24-24-2. And for the first time since 1973, both teams have perfect records.

With a loss tomorrow, Michigan will likely be knocked right out of the championship game. But let's leave all that talk about the BCS on the sidelines for now. That can wait until next week -- we have a game to play. A very special game.

Yup - as a Yankees fan, I can't wait to see the Red Sox fall flat on their faces - while we, as usual, scoop up all the gravy!!! I did the math too - the Red Sox lose...again.