Top Topics - 01/16/07

These are as determined by 1st and 10, not me. But we'll see how it goes.

1. Lakers (Kobe) v. Heat (Wade) - I tuned in for the end of this game - the last quarter and OT. I saw Kobe Bryant frustrate Wade with smothering defense. Bryant caused a late Wade TO that iced the game for the Lakers. Kobe scored on Wade. Wade didn't score on Kobe. The other thing I noticed was a deference by the officials to Wade. Wade got the benefit of the doubt. Kobe got shafted on some calls that any other all-star would have received. Wade may be the better part of a team, but he's not the player Kobe is, at least not yet.

2. Gilbert Arenas - He scored 51 against the Jazz.

3. Barack Obama and the Saints v. Bears - Shaun Alexander kept getting one too many yards on runs against the Bears. Alexander would get ten and a first down, rather than leaving Holmgren with 2 and 1 play calls. Bush and Deuce are as dangerous as, if not more than, Alexander because they are each terrific in one part of the running game. Plus, the Saints have been clicking on offense most the season and beat one of the hottest teams left in the round of eight.

I'm not sure why Obama chimed in on an NFL playoff game. And, I'm not sure why he thinks the Bears are such a lock to make the Super Bowl. The Bears aren't the same team on defense as they were before the injuries (Harris and Brown especially) took their toll. Plus, Rex Grossman is still making too many questionable throws and is still having trouble holding onto the ball when he's pressured. The good Rex might show up next weekend, but I wouldn't bet on it.

4. Angry LT - LT had 23 carries for 123 yards and two TD's. He also caught two more balls for 64 yards, including an electrifying 58 yarder that set up Michael Turner's TD run. That's almost 200 yards (187 for the math impaired out there) from scrimmage against Bill B. and his NE Pats. LT had a great year and the Chargers shouldn't have lost on Sunday. They shot themselves (LT didn't pull the trigger) in the foot and the Pats stole one. So, he was probably frustrated and that may have contributed to him sounding off.

But, was he wrong to do it? Maybe. But his comments were right on. The Pats shouldn't have been doing Shawn Merriman's dance on the Chargers' logo. If they want to dance and celebrate, fine. They should have been excited. They got really lucky that Troy Brown was able to strip Marlon McCree after a 4th down interception thrown by Tom Brady. Yes, the Golden Boy threw an INT (he actually threw 3 in the game). So, pour Gatorade on Bill B., put on hats and t-shirts that say "AFC Championship Game Participant", and celebrate. There was no need for them to mock the Chargers, just like there was no need for them to mock TO and the Eagles a couple years back. LT has a right to complain about it and call them on it because he does not act that way and he probably does not think anyone should. And, the Pats shouldn't get a pass on this because LT is getting negative publicity for calling them on it. If the Patriots want to be put on a pedestal, they need to hold themselves to a higher standard.

Maybe #27 shouldn't have slapped one of the SD players in the head. Lucky for the Pats, when the Chargers acted up, they got flagged. The Pats didn't. Maybe the officials should hold themselves to a higher standard too.

5. NFL to London - What's the NFL trying to accomplish? A game in London might sell out. But, do the NFL higher ups think it will result in a meaningful shift in the shopping and viewing habits of the english speakers on the other side of the Atlantic? It seems like a stretch to me. However, it would be nice for the NY Giants to play a home game in London. It would help make up for getting an extra home game after Katrina displaced the Saints.

6. Early Entry - Adrian Peterson is big, strong and fast. He played through a seperated shoulder his freshman year and still torched a solid Texas A&M defense. His sophomore year, he suffered a severe sprained ankle, a fairly routine injury. This year, he broke his collarbone on a weird play. AD ("All Day") is not really damaged goods because he hasn't had major injuries that really impact RB's long term. Did Emmitt Smith ever have major shoulder problems after that famous game against the Giants? Peterson's knees are fine, he was healthy this year aside from the broken clavicle. Running backs are always a gamble in the NFL. They are affected by the line play and the ability of the QB and WR's to stretch the field. But, AD was the best player in college football this year and should be a star in the NFL for years to come. He runs well between the tackles and is surprisingly elusive in space for a RB his size. Additionally, he catches the ball well enough, lights people up on blocks and when the offense turns into the defense, and has break away speed when he gets into space. He'd be a steal for his home state Texans at #8 and it would give them a marquee name to make up for the Vince Young debacle of last year.

OSU receiver Ted Ginn Jr. has great speed. The question is whether that is enough to make him a star at the next level. If it was, Justin Gatlin would have signed a huge contract and would be participating in the 2008 Pro Bowl. Ginn played for a good team and was surrounded by a lot of talent. It would have been nice to see him play against Florida. Teammate Anthony Gonzalez was more impressive against Texas, and Texas was missing one of their starting CB's. Ginn will go in the 1st round and could be the second WR taken. Unfortunately for him, he's not in Calvin Johnson's class as a polished WR at this point. He's got tons of talent, though.

And, finally, QB Colt Brennan. I didn't see much Hawaii this year. Great numbers from a spread offense against so-so competition. We've seen this before and it does not usually translate to the NFL. I don't know that it won't happen this time, but I wouldn't use a 1st round pick on him.

7. Black GM's - I don't have the numbers on this. GM's and candidates for open GM jobs, shouldn't be judged by the color of their skin, but on merit. Matt Millen should probably be gone. I don't have any names of African Americans to throw in the ring, but it would be great to see qualified candidates, no matter who they are, fill the job openings.

8. Resting the Colts - Three days off? Three days off! What's Dungy doing? The Colts didn't blatantly throw in the towel in games at the end of this season like they did last year. They played in the wild card round. An extra day off is not going to cause the Colts to lose to the Pats. They played on Saturday (instead of Sunday), so that's an extra off day built in. I don't think the Colts will lose to the Patriots. In fact, I think NE is especially vulnerable this year and Peyton Manning has a security blanket (a D that showed up for the playoffs ... imagine that) he has not had the last few years and that will, hopefully, help him relax and limit his mistakes in the AFC Championship Game. I wonder if they had participant hats and t-shirts made too.

9. Daytona's Senior Set - What's with these topics? If you can drive, you can drive. If this guy can drive, let him in the field. I can't imagine anyone in NASCAR is going to put someone in the field who will endanger other drivers because he lacks the requisite driving skills.

10. Brady and Gisele - The NFL Golden Boy is taking Leo's leftovers? That's what my wife is telling me. This isn't sports, it's gossip and this is as far as I'm going to take it.

Please, let tomorrow bring better topics.