According to this article, the broadcast of Kimbo's recent fight on CBS will lessen the likelihood of future MMA bouts on network TV. What do you think?

2-13 from the field is not like him. And when Don Nelson admits he gave Baron "a much-needed rest" in the 2nd half, it make you wonder. But I bet this is just a rumor that got spread without any proof. Sure, it was his B-day, but that doesn't mean the guy got wasted. He's not going to jeopardize a whole season by getting tanked and then watching his team tank a chance at making he playoffs, however slim that chance was. Plus, his pals Jessica Alba and Cash Warren already threw him a suprise party two weeks ago when the Warriors were in L.A. playing the Lakers. Even if the guy has one or two drinks to celebrate his B-day, what's the big deal?

Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt told the LA Times that he thought it was pine tar - which would warrant a 10-game suspension for a pitcher - because "Rosin's not that dark."

Whatever the substance was, blame technology such as HDTV and TIVO for allowing overzealous fans to freeze-frame Jake's hand and start spreading rumors. Even if it was pine tar, they will never prove it. And the next time Jake goes out, all four infield umpires will be watching him like four hungry hawks. So he won't have dirt or pine tar or stool or whatever it was on his hands again.

Check out this clip of Pap talking about his "cultural experience" over in Japan. No wonder American tourists are often treated like dirt.

They DO have a lot of young talent. But if the final year of Dave Roberts' awful 3-year $18 Million contract prevents exciting young speedsters like Fred Lewis and Rajai Davis from seeing action in the outfield (same goes with Ray Durham keeping Eugenio Velez on the bench), Giants fans will be very disappointed.

What about just buying out the contracts of Roberts and Durham and giving these younger players a chance? NBA teams do this all the time. Hell, college athletic departments do it. Apparently, Sabean and company do not like any of these above mentioned prospects or they wouldn't have dished out $60 Million for Aaron Rowand.

This article says 81-81, but I cannot see this team scoring enough runs. I think a maximum of 75 wins is more probable. My prediction 72-89, last in the NL West.

Coach K and the Devils were scrutinzed for not wearing blue ribbons to honor the murder of UNC Student-Body president, Eve Carson. Funny but I don't remember Roy Williams and the Heels getting questioned for their lack of of a tribute to slain Duke PhD student, Abhijit Mahato. The media is trying to spin this to create even more bitterness between the two contentious coaches. This time though, it's not something as trivial as the "proper" way to handle injury reports--we're talking about the death of two well-respected students here. Luckily, the 17-year-old suspect, Lawrence Lovette, turned himself in before things got out of control once again in the Triangle. That's the last thing the community needs.

For a guy that SHOULD have a huge ego, he doesn't. It says a lot about his character. What would MJ do? Probably clap his hands and have Will Perdue put the kid in a headlock under his hairy armpits.

If you watched tonight's game featuring the #1 and #2 teams in the nation, you're probably thinking the same thing I am. These are the top two teams in the country? Maybe the best in the state of Tennessee. Calipari and Pearl better get their boys playing smarter, more fluid, fundamental basketball come tournament time. No way will this performance be good enough against UCLA, UNC, Duke, Stanford, Kansas, Georgetown, UCONN, WSU, or Texas in late March.

Dan Shulman summed it up best when telling his broadcast partner, Dicky V "you probably shoot better free throws in your suit and loafers without any warm-ups."

Memphis shot 41% from the line and under 40% from the field. Tennesse wasn't any better from the field, shooting 37%. At least they showed better than Shaq-like touch from the line, going 12-18. Even uglier were the sloppy turnovers and out-of-control guard play (besides Derrick Rose). I thought both teams were supposed to have the best athletes in the nation? All I saw were guys panting for air, unable to keep up with the frantic tempo.

Besides freshman phenom, Derrick Rose, nobody stepped it up for the Tigers. CDR is a solid player but too often he plays out-of-control. Dorsey lacks discipline and poise and has zero offensive game. Despite their loss to Tennessee, I still like Memphis better.

As for the Volunteers, the point-guard play was awful. They looked lost on offense and could barely bring the ball up the floor. Without the three Smiths and the spark from freshman, Prince, Tennessee would not have escaped with the W. Lofton was invisible out there, until the 2nd half when he was throwing up prayer fade-away 3s. More and more each day he reminds me of a poor man's J.J. Redick. Even the slow, pasty ex-Dookie could create his shot easier than Chris.

Neither coach did a very good job managing the game. Obviously Pearl did a little better than Calipari. Maybe I haven't seen these two teams play enough, but I'd say both are overrated. It's possible that both played great defense limiting each other's opportunities and forcing the sloppy turnovers. Still, I don't see either squad making it past the Elite 8 and only their high seeds will get them to the Sweet 16.

For those of you wishing for good news, wishful thinking. Looks like another former star athlete has fallen on hard times financially. The good thing is that Baker's weight and alcohol problems may improve since he can't afford to binge. I feel bad for the guy and hope he can pull out of this funk.

Last night the Dookies got scrappy and simply outhustled the Heels despite losing the battle on the boards. They have great depth at guard and forward and once Zubek gets healthy, they'll be able to save Lance Thomas from foul trouble and better utilize him down low. OK, he got mandhandled by Psycho T last night. But most big men do. I don't think the UNC can make excuses for Lawson. Ellington knew he had to step up and wasn't a factor at all. Why? Because Henderson and Nelson are very good perimeter defenders. They get their hands in shooters' faces every time. For the first time since the ancient days of Grant Hill and the short stint of Corey Maggette, Coach K has two superior athletes who can take over at both ends.

I am starting to become a believer in this Duke team. They make up for a lack of rebounds by forcing turnovers and outscrapping bigger opponents. Two teams will give them major problems (besides UNC once Lawson gets back). Tennessee and UCLA. Pearl's squad can matchup with Duke's quickness and may even push tempo too much for the Devils. Ben Howland's boys are a rugged, confident, athletic, balanced group, probably the team to beat this season. I can't wait for March.

Simple. He traveled. See for yourself. Two videos from two different angles.

Also, doesn't Psycho T remind you of Mad-Dog Madsen? Same type of nickname, same type of player. Plus, I'm sure Tyler rocks the Jean shorts and dances like a fool.

I know the Jessica Alba distraction can really make your head spin, but let's see if anyone knows who the bearded face on Steve Nash's shirt is. The Big Lead threw out some good guesses...Rick Rubin, Eric Clapton, Steve Prefontaine, Gregg Allman, Allen Ginsberg, Drew Gooden. I'm going on a limb to say it's not the last choice. Remember, Steve is a Canadian who likes classic rock. So Clapton and Allman may be on the right track. Answer to be provided next week.

On Sunday, a fan fell to his death at Monster Park...an unfortunate accident. Also the perfect metaphor for the 2007 San Francisco 49ers. RIP man, but at least you won't have to witness another stinker with Mike Nolan standing aimlessly on the sidelines as Trent Dilfer throws a perfect pass to a guy in the wrong jersey.

While the Dolphins may be headed for 0-16, they have far fewer problems than the soon-to-be Santa Clara 49ers, who are lucky to have one win this season, let alone three. Both victories against Arizona and the early win against St. Louis came courtesy of three fumbles and two missed field goals the Niners were fortunate to have gone their way. Otherwise, Miami would have company right now at 0-13.

The major problem is the offense, on pace for the lowest point total in the NFL over the past 11 years. Mike Nolan knows less about offense than John Madden knows about a low-carb diet. And yet he is forced to make an executive decision when it comes to the play-calling because his offensive coordinator has just three years of coaching experience in the NFL. Nolan might make a good defensive coordinator, but it is obvious that he is overwhelmed by the duties of a head coach. In addition to the team's atrocious performance on the field, the way Nolan has thrown Alex Smith under the bus is totally unprofessional and grounds for immediate termination.

You don't call out a 23-year-old quarterback for not being tough enough when the team behind him is complete garbage. Smith clearly hasn't been the same since dislocating his shoulder in week 4, but according to Nolan, his injury is suspect. Well, then why is he not playing? The guy makes almost $10 million a year and has three more years on a 6-year, $49 million contract. If he was healthy enough to play, at that price, he sure as hell would play. How can Nolan say anything about Smith when the two do not even speak to each other. It's as if they communicate through the media.

John York and company sure have their work cut out over the next five years to rebuild this team. But it has to start with a new head coach, someone who won't blame the players for his own incompetence. Alex Smith hasn't failed. His team and coaches have failed him. His wide receivers, awful. Offensive line, awful. And the two biggest playmakers, Gore and Vernon Davis, do not get utilized effectively. The bottom line is that Mike Nolan must go, along with offensive coordinator Jeff Hostler. Smith made strides under Norv Turner last season, but in 2007 he has clearly taken a giant step backward.

So what does the future hold in San Francisco or Santa Clara or the Silicon Valley? Well, trading up to draft Joe Staley in last year's draft seemed like a good idea at the time. But the Patriots are the ones who will really benefit from that deal. Nobody expected the Niners to go 3-13, yet that is the most likely scenario now. And the Pats will say thank you very much on their way to the #2 pick, Mr. Darren McFadden. As for the 49ers, they have the Colts 1st round pick in 2008. So basically, they have two 2nd round picks.

Take a deep breathe, Niner fans. It will be a while before any glory days return.

I'm sure this is one of many complaints to come regarding the NFL Network's coverage of the much-anticipated Patriots-Giants game in week 17. But somebody has to stop this. Apparently, Commissioner Goodell has the power to do the right thing and return the game to a network or cable broadcast. The question is, will he?

"...One longtime TV insider who requested anonymity said Goodell has the ability to take the Patriots-Giants game off The NFL Network and give it to the rest of the country for free.

"If it's all about taking care of the fans, they should turn around and say, 'We're going to do something brilliant; we'll give it to NBC and let them dump the Kansas City-Jets game,' " the insider said. "If the NFL really cared, let NBC flex do that [Patriots] game on Saturday night, let the entire country see it, and put Jets-Kansas City [Sunday] on The NFL Network. They have the mechanism in place but they're banking on [the Patriots] game to leverage it to get better distribution for The NFL Network. So, in essence, they're holding their own fans hostage."

"The same insider suggested that fans should be less angry at the cable companies and direct their ire at Patriots owner Bob Kraft, who was on the committee that formed The NFL Network, and ask him why free TV is being taken away from them now when it was never an issue before..."

What to do, what to do. Brian Sabean and the rest of the Giants front office know the team will be bad next season. But what is more important right now, keeping a solid starting staff intact or starting the long process of building a serviceable batting lineup?

As much as I love Cain and Lincecum, the Giants have to deal one of them for Alex Rios right now. The guy is a rising star and could fit in nicely in right or center at spacious AT&T Park. This may be the only decent offer they get. A-Rod is gone. Hunter is gone. Cabrera is gone. Andruw is gone.

If I had to choose between Cain or Lincecum, I'd choose Lincecum. Thus far, hitters just don't seem to get a good read on his fastball. It jumps to the plate with a tailing motion similar to Pedro Martinez. His build is slight and motion a bit jerky, but deception goes a long way. Cain's fastball is pretty straight, albeit a little faster, and his delivery doesn't hide the baseball as well. The injury debate is hogwash at this point. It is impossible to predict who will be more DL prone. Just look at Mark Prior. Scouts marvelled for years about his impeccable mechanics.

Giants fans, speak now or forever hold your peace!!! Agree or Disagree?