Stuff On My Mind, Vol. I

Coming up with ideas to write about is not difficult for me.  What makes the decision difficult is considering the quotient of information vs. readability.  I may have all sorts of topics running through my mind that I could write a novel about, but my readers may give up reading shortly after the title.  Then there may be popular topics that I may just sound like a dummy writing about.  I am forever torn between my own selfishness and the educational betterment of millions tens of readers.  UNTIL TODAY.  I am introducing Vol. I  in a weekly installment of what will henceforth be known as Stuff On My Mind(please hold all applause until the end).  It will be a comprehensive list of things that I think about during any given week.  However, they will not be full articles, rather a sample of what I would have written.  They are in no order of importance or relevance and you can feel free to skip any without getting lost.  So follow me on this adventure through my thoughts!

1.  Geno Auriemma intimated that his team's winning streak not receiving the press that it should, primarily because it is women's basketball.  Granted, any team winning 89 games in a row in any sport is incredible, but comparing men's to women's college basketball is not apples to apples.  It's more like apples to mushy bananas.  There are roughly three very competitive teams in women's basketball, and UConn has had a streak like this twice.  There just isn't the depth of talent in the women's game.  It seems that Geno is fairly good at recruiting since 89 games is almost more than some college players' careers.  If he wants press, he should step up and take a shot at men's basketball rather than hiding in the minors.

2.  As a Sixers fan, each game is a moral dilemma for me.  Do I want them to play hard against good teams and win?  I am very aware that they can easily make the playoffs in the pathetic east conference, but can't get past any of the powerhouses in a seven game series.  Or do I cheer for a loss with the goal being those extra ping pong balls in what is the most ridiculous draft process?  Then I have to suffer through 82 games of bad basketball.  It seems ownership is in the same position as me, as the Sixers are playing well enough to be .5 games out of the playoffs, but still have a 10-17 record.  I say: try to play spoiler (regular season) for the Heat, Magic, and Boston, but get those extra pong balls anyway.  They jumped up to 2nd overall pick last year, and could find a decent big man in the top 7 or 8 picks this year.

3.  The Eagles are currently playing their way into most analysts Superbowl teams group.  In order to get to that point, they will probably have to get past the Falcons.  The Falcons are very balanced and have all but locked up the #1 spot, so they will have home-field throughout, which makes for an interesting return to the Georgia Dome for Michael Vick.  Local media, with the occasional mention on ESPN, is all over this "emotional" return.  I might be part of the minority, but emotional returns don't do anything for me when watching football.  Whatever conditions exist to make the game more unpredictable, ie inclement weather or a top WR vs excellent DB, I'm all for it.  But there are no mics in the audience, and the camera is on the field most of the time anyway.  The history between team and player is a non-factor when I watch a game.

4.  The Phillies new Mt. Rushmore of pitching is crazy good.  It is already being called the best starting four of all time.  I think it needs to be noted though, that Joe Blanton is a pretty solid 5th starter.  The idea is that Blanton will be traded to free up some money, but I wouldn't mind him sticking around.  He is currently owed $17 million over the next two years and the Phillies would probably have to eat up some of that salary if they traded him anyway.  It seems like Blanton, although inconsistent, can pitch a lot of innings and in the 5th starter spot, could reasonably win 12 or 13 games.  If the Phillies get bit by the injury bug, he could be a valuable replacement, unless Ruben Amaro thinks Kendrick could be that guy.  A potential suitor for Blanton may be the Brewers who are bolstering their staff for the Central title.

5.  Floating advertisements during Flyers games on CSN are out of control.  It's possible that other teams do it as well, but since there are about 7 national games a year who knows?  For those of you who haven't seen them, CSN applies the concept of a green screen to the glass behind each goal.  When the camera pans to either goal...POOF!  Just like the Great Gazoo popping up in between Fred and Barney, an ad for McDonalds or Lumber Liquidators or whomever the sponsor du jour is appears shakily on the glass.  It is distracting, especially on the portion of the ice where the most action happens.  If they must keep doing this, I propose they move it to the area above the benches.

6.  Note to self: DO NOT turn games off before they are over.  I missed the second greatest comeback in NFL history.

7.  Oh how the mighty have fallen.  Because of one foot (appendage, not measurement) Boise St. is playing tonight in the Maaco Bowl.  On a wednesday night.  18 days before the national championship.  Now I'm not sure that the Broncos should be playing in the national championship game, but they certainly shouldn't be in the MAACO bowl.  Maybe the Beef O'Brady's Bowl.

And that is the extent of what is on my mind for this week.