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So obviously this is not an actual year in review type of a post, but at this point three of my teams have ended their seasons, with only one (Yankees) still left playing. I figured I would mull over what happened this past year, and where I hope we are going in the near future.

First off lets discuss the Buffalo Bills as they are my number one team, always have been, and always will be. Unfortunately their is not a ton to say about the Bills when you consider the fact that they went an abysmal 4-12 this season and although they landed Marcel Darius in this years draft, the lockout is killing them. For any young team not being able to get together with coaches, and learn the system can be detrimental. As far as next season goes my heart says we are going to compete for a wild card spot, assuming we can stay injury free and the lockout ends before training camp was originally supposed to start. My head however says that we are going to have another sub .500 season, so I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

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Second on the list of favorite teams is the Buffalo Sabres, who made the playoffs this season, but were unable to muster enough strength to get past the first round. With this team however I feel far more confident in their ability to have a legitimate shot at a championship within the next 5 years or so. The reason? New ownership! Terry Pegula has taken over the team and hes made it clear that this is not a business venture for him. Rather he wants to help this team win a title which means money will be spent on players who can help us get there. No more buy low, sell high of talent (ie Danny Briere) like we were accustomed to with the old owner. I feel very confident in this team, and hope I am right in the coming years.

Third on the list is the New York Knicks, and I also have pretty strong feelings about this teams ability to compete for a title in the coming years. With Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire leading the charge, and a young Landry Fields looking to contribute who knows what this team is capable of. I do not think that we are ready yet, a few more years/trades need to happen, but be on the lookout to make some noise in the very near future.

Last but not least the New York Yankees, who are in the middle of a road trip (doubleheader today woohooo). Im not sure how I feel about the Yankees other than the fact that I think they are an older team, and only getting older. As we saw with Jeter, the Yankee faithful won’t let the stars go without a fight, so if they want to sell tickets they aren’t getting rid of most of these guys any time soon. What that means is yet to be seen, but I have my reservations about the whole thing. The pitching is the second big concern, and I think thats whats going to keep the Yanks from returning to a world series anytime soon, but I suppose only time will tell.

So there you have it, my super condensed year in review post. Be sure to comment below!

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!.