Tim Tebow has dominated college football both on and off the field like no other player in recent memory. Tebow was the recipient of the 2007 Heisman trophy, and collected two national championships during his tenure at the University of Florida. Those accomplishments are far greater than any award or championship I’ve ever dreamed of winning, but for some reason has yet to influence my opinion of Tim Tebow as a player. I consider Tebow one of the greatest leaders and human beings college football has ever seen, but as a player, I have never been sold on his talent.
Before you call me crazy or just another Tebow hater, give me a chance to elaborate. Tebow was good, but to consider him one of the greatest “players” of all time, I have a difficult time coping with that. To me Tebow’s success on the field was a direct correlation with the system he was in, surrounded by some of the best athletes in college football. His system at Florida, the players around him, and one halftime speech have given some Tebow fans a false indication of his talent. My thoughts were confirmed last week at the Senior Bowl as Tebow struggled with the simplicity of taking a hand off under center. It was also noted that many passes were wobbly, and that it was difficult for Tebow to through tight accurate passes. All three things he struggled with last week are key to a successful career in the NFL, at least at the quarterback position. Do I think Tebow will have a semi successful career in the NFL? Yes, but not quarterbacking any of the current 32 NFL franchises.
Tebow was great for the game, and had an extremely successful career in college football. That success however will not correlate to continued success at the next level. Great leader, great motivator, great teammate; no doubt about it! My argument has and always will be about Tim Tebow’s talent as a football player. Good player for sure, but the system at Florida along with his teammates have given Tebow supporters a false sense of greatness. For four years Tim Tebow has taken over the landscape of college football, being considered by many as the greatest player in college football history. I support what Tebow has done on and off the field during his career at Florida, but sympathize with the long journey he has ahead of him. He may shock all those who criticize his game including myself next season, however until he proves me wrong Tim Tebow will be nothing more than a “good” football player.

The monotony of the Tiger Woods saga over the last few months has grown increasingly frustrating with each passing day. Media personnel are still camping out outside of his Florida home, and most recently outside the rehabilitation center where he is receiving treatment for a supposed sex addiction. I have refused to read any articles pertaining to Tiger Woods for about two weeks now, but this morning I stumbled upon the comments made by Tom Watson, one of the most respected men in golf. “Tiger has to take ownership of what he has done. He must get his personal life in order. And when he comes back he has to show some humility to the public I feel that he has not carried the same stature that other great players that have come along like Jack [Nicklaus], Arnold [Palmer], Byron Nelson, the Hogans”(Watson). Its not so much Watson’s comments that bother me, although I disagree, but it is however the media’s onslaught of questions regarding Tiger’s personal life to everyone but Tiger Woods.
I am outraged that I can still wake up each morning and find a new article pertaining to Tiger Woods personal life. The accident happened just a little over two months ago, how long before the daily updates perish? He was in an accident, he admitted to numerous transgressions, and is seeking help, what else do you want from the greatest golfer of all time? I’m not writing this to give my opinion on what Tiger should or shouldn’t have done, but simply to express my extreme displeasure with the media. Is it really necessary to ask every professional golfer their thoughts on Tiger Woods personal life? Tiger has the same right to privacy as you, me, or any other American citizen in this country. The PGA Tour is just as much to blame as the media. They continue to allow players to express their opinion on a very “personal” situation involving their greatest asset, Tiger Woods. I’m not saying the media shouldn’t be allowed to ask the question, but do we need EVERY golfer on the tours opinion 2 months after the incident. Someone needs to step in and say enough is enough.
The media has created such a negative image of Tiger Woods through the opinion of seemingly every sports figure in America that it will be virtually impossible for him to restore it. No matter how many tournaments Tiger will eventually win, or how many PGA records he shatters, he will always be remembered as the man who cheated on his wife in one of the biggest sex scandals of all time. Unfair? Absolutely! My biggest argument pertaining to the defamation of Tiger Woods as a human being and as a golfer is expressed in Mr. Watson’s comments yesterday. “I feel that he has not carried the same stature that other great players that have come along like Jack [Nicklaus], Arnold [Palmer].” Why now? Where was the constant barrage of negativity towards Woods on and off the course before the accident? I understand these incidents have triggered a lot of the negativity, but it just seems like there all taking their shots while Tiger remains in seclusion.
I am truly sick of everyone weighing in on Tiger other than Tiger. How long will it take before we associate Tiger Woods with the game of golf, and not sex, escorts, and rehab? Tiger is an exceptional athlete and in my opinion the greatest golfer of all time. He has many years of dominance ahead of him, and I truly believe Tiger Woods will be stronger than ever when he makes his return to the game of golf. I send out a warning to Tigers colleagues on the Tour who have yet to give their opinion on his personal life. Choose your words carefully, although we may not be able to see Tiger, he can see you, he can hear you, and he will certainly remember your face when he makes his return to the game of golf.                                                                                                            

If you’re an optimist and had any thoughts or aspirations of putting away the winter jacket and maybe doing a little spring cleaning in the near future I say to you, “Not so fast my friend.” Punxsutawney Phil has done it again predicting six more weeks of winter after seeing his shadow this morning in front of hundreds of frozen Pennsylvanians. If you’ve already started throwing everything within an arms length away, relax, take a deep breath, and follow along as I reflect on what the world of sports has to offer throughout the next six weeks.

WEEK – 1 – February 2nd – 7th
The granddaddy of all sporting events takes place February 7th, as Super Bowl XLIV kicks off between the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts. The game showcases two of the best offenses in footballs with some incredible individual players. Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, Reggie Wayne, and many more will take the field Sunday night in a battle for world supremacy.
WEEK – 2 – February 8th – 14th
Let’s refer to week two as variety week. February 11th-14th is NBA All-Star Weekend in the new Cowboy Stadium in Dallas. The weekend will feature a number of televised events to include a celebrity game, 3-point contest, and everyone’s favorite the Slam Dunk competition. All-Star weekend wraps up with on February 14th as the Western conference looks to make it two in a row over the East. My prediction, West 132 East 117. The other major sporting event is the arrival of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic games. Opening ceremonies will kick off the Olympics on Friday February 12th. Maybe its just me, but if you ever saw the movie “Cool Running’s” you’re a fan of the winter Olympics.
WEEK – 3 – February 15th – 21st
The 2010 Olympic Winter games continue all week long with coverage taking place on a variety of different channels including NBC. Please check your local listings for coverage in your area.
WEEK – 4 – February 22nd – 28th
The Olympic Games comes to a conclusion this week as each country counts their golds, silvers, and bronze to determine if their country was a success. Let’s hope the American’s can shake off some Winter X Games injuries and come away with a high medal count. Shifting gears from the world best, to some of the nation’s best, February 27th features two of college basketball elite as Villanova heads to the “Loud House” to take on Jim Boeheim and the Syracuse Orange in a battle of top 5 ranked teams. Prediction Syracuse 82 Villanova 79. The inside game of the Orange is going to be to much for the undersized Wildcats to handle.
WEEK 5 – March 1st – 7th
One of the greatest rivalries in all of college athletics takes place during week five as North Carolina will head to Cameron Indoor Stadium to take on the Blue Devils. Both North Carolina and Duke have had their struggles this year, but you can bet when these two teams get together on March 6th, well see the best each has to offer. Prediction Duke 84 North Carolina 71. You think the young players from UNC turn the ball over way too much, just wait until March 6th.
WEEK 6 – March 8th – 14th
Does your team have what it takes to make it to the big dance? Conference tournaments kick off a week dominated by college basketball. Tune in to watch as teams battle for their conferences automatic bid. The week long college basketball palooza comes to a conclusion with the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday, March 14th. Will your team make the field of 65, or will they have to battle at MSG for the NIT crown.

So if you find yourself depressed just thinking about six more weeks of winter, don’t be. The next six weeks in sports will showcase the world’s best athletes, a historic rivalry, and the biggest sporting event of the year. Selection Sunday, The Winter Olympics, and a Super Bowl all during a six week stretch? If you’re a sports fan in general and are still too busy pouting over six more weeks of winter to realize the enormity of events occurring during the next month and half, then its about time someone questioned your fanhood!.

Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriquez, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, and now Phil Mickelson?  Well if you ask professional golfer Scott McCarron Phil belongs on this list of cheaters.  Being labeled a “cheater” in baseball is old news these days, but cheating in golf, a sport which exemplifies honesty, now this is interesting.  A sport which has seen its greatest player take an indefinite leave for his involvement in a sex scandal, the great comeback story in John Daly quit this week, and now slanderous comments made towards one of golf greatest players.  This is certainly not what the PGA Tour had in mind coming off one of its most successful seasons on record in 2009.

Why is Phil being labeled a cheater?  No, it’s not because he’s all juiced up on performance enhancing drugs, but simply because he used an illegal club this weekend at Torrey Pines; or did he?  If you’re not familiar with the recent rule changes in golf, let me break it down for you.  Basically this controversy stems from the design of recently made clubs, designed to improve player’s performance.  Player’s up until this year have been using clubs with square shaped grooves, allowing for better control and spin rate out of some of the most hazardous conditions the PGA Tour has to offer.  To reduce scoring, and put the emphasis back on hitting a good tee shot, the PGA Tour placed a ban on square shaped grooves; essentially forcing players to use “V” shaped grooved clubs.  Thus we have our controversy. This weekend at Torrey Pines, Mickelson was one of four golfers using a Ping-Eye 2 wedge created over 20 years ago containing, you guessed it, square shaped grooves.  How could Phil get away with using a banned club at this weekends Farmer’s Insurance Open?  Ill tell you how, Phil found a loophole.  According to USGA rules, the square-groove wedge found in Phil’s bag remains legal because of a lawsuit Ping filed back in 1990 stating the club holds precedence over any rule change.

“It’s cheating, and I’m appalled Phil has put it in play,” Scott McCarron said in The San Francisco Chronicle.  First of all, no its not we have already established that, and second who the hell is Scott McCarron.  How is a no name golfer who mind you has only 3 PGA tour victories in his 18 year career going to call out the #2 ranked golfer on the planet.  It seems to me that Mr. McCarron is slightly jealous of the success of Phil Mickelson and is looking for a little publicity.  I guess you have to label someone the dirtiest word in all of sports for people to actually realize your still on the tour.

To the Scott McCarron’s of the world I leave you with a few words of wisdom.  If your going to call out the second best player in all of professional golf for “cheating”, make sure he’s actually breaking a USGA rule.  Also, you may want to concentrate on your own game right now considering you have yet to make the cut in 2010 for all 3 events you have participated in.  Your best finish in a major since 2004 is 24^th, with those kinds of numbers I’ll take “lefty” playing with right handed clubs in any tournament of your choice.  I wish you the best sir and ill make sure to tune in each week as Phil contends for majors, and you battle to keep your PGA Tour card.

Special thanks to Tusky Toscano for his appearance in this FSV video.

Follow Cory on Twitter @CSchad44

I will admit I’ve never been a huge proponent of all star games in the past,  but any weekend  activities that are promised to “make the Super Bowl look like a bar mitzvah,” you can bet your children’s unborn children that I’ll be watching.  Although still a few weeks away, the 2010 NBA All-Star game has already began stirring up controversy.  From Lebron’s dunk contest woes, to Allen Iverson’s decision to start, to the most recent comments made by Mark Cuban, All-Star Weekend should not disappoint.

Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star Lebron James told Cheryl Miller at last year’s event that he was a “preliminary contestant” for the 2010 slam dunk contest.  Yea right!  If you actually believed the words of Lebron James on TNT last February I apologize.  Many of Lebron’s harshest critics say that if he ever plans on being the next Michael Jordan, he needs to not only compete, but win the dunk contest.  First of all there will never be another Michael Jordan, and especially not Mr. James.  What upsets me most about King James decision was not the broken promise, or the fact that I won’t get to watch him showboat all over my television some more, but the reaction from the media.  Many of them sound like a bunch of whining children begging their mom and dad for a new toy, “But I really, really want this Lebron”!  He filled your hearts with excitement and anticipation I know, but Lebron James will not dunk in 2010, or 2011, or should I keep going? King James will never participate in a contest like this for the fans until he can simply get over himself.  Lebron James you’re not nor will you ever be the next Michael Jordan.

Another interesting story leading up to this year’s All-Star weekend involves Allen Iverson’s decision to start for the Eastern Conference.  Many sports writers and Iverson critics think he’s taking a spot away from a deserving All-Star, one like Josh Smith of the Atlanta Hawks, or David Lee of the New York Knicks.  You know what, there probably right.  However don’t blame the man for starting a game in which he was voted into by the fans, the same fans who will be there February 14^th in Dallas.  If you’re going to be pissed off that he doesn’t deserve it, go ahead you have a valid point, but don’t be pissed off at Allen; take your aggression out on the NBA.  The NBA allows fans to vote online or via text message once a day for approximately 3 months.  Does anyone else see something wrong with that?  Do I have the answer on how to fix voting for All-Star games, no, but what I do know is the answer needs to include the fans.  They are the ones buying the season tickets and the numerous amounts of team merchandise to show their loyal support to their favorite franchise.  So to all of you who blame Allen Iverson for starting, back off, take your complaining right to David Stern.  Oh yea one more thing; if you got voted into the NBA All-Star game, would you start?  If you said no, you’re lying to yourself.

Don’t get me wrong, Lebron James is allowed to change his mind and Allen Iverson does not deserve to start in an All-Star game, but who’s really to blame for all the hype of these controversies?  The media again portrays two situations that essentially are irrelevant and turns them on the athlete.  Lebron is labeled as a liar, while Allen Iverson is selfish for starting a game he doesn’t deserve.  All I can say is thank God Allen Iverson doesn’t have to come off the bench in this game, we all know how that worked out it Memphis earlier this season.  “I don’t know no all league player to come off the bench, I don’t know no 2 time NBA scoring champ to come off the bench, I …. “ ok I’ll stop.   Make sure to tune in February 14^th on TNT as 80,000 plus are anticipated to pack Cowboy stadium for the 2010 NBA All-Star game.