Happy Wednesday everyone, here's my Top 5 for January 11, 2012 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.
1. Quick Hits
- Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III will forgo his senior year at Baylor and enter the NFL draft.
- The Oakland Raiders fire coach Hue Jackson after one season (8-8).
- Brian Schottenheimer is out as Jets offensive coordinator. He's replaced by former Dolphins coach Tony Sparano.
- 77-year-old baseball commissioner Bud Selig is expected to be offered a contract extension this week.
2. Piling On
If it's true that "winning is the best deodorant," then conversely, losing really stinks. After proclaiming that of course they're bringing back their offensive coordinator, the Jets show him the door. And a New York Daily News story has Jets players taking shots at their quarterback Mark Sanchez. Things like "he's lazy and content" at practice. Ouch. This comes at a time when the Jets who wanted to be the "big brother" in New York come off as the "little sister." The Giants are again the talk of the town. This picture posted by Darren Rovell at CNBC sums it up best. And not to rub it in or anything Jets fans, tomorrow's the anniversary of your only glorious franchise moment. It was oh so 43 years ago.
3. Deck the Hall
Most of you seem to agree that Barry Larkin is deserving of Cooperstown. Can't wait until next year's ballot. Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa and Mike Piazza all appear for the first time. Judging from your comments on Facebook at "Len Berman's Top 5," you would vote for Piazza and none of the others. I happen to think that Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens are Hall of Famers despite their cheating and they'll eventually get in. As you know I also think Pete Rose belongs. Performance is performance period... even if at times it was artificially enhanced. Strip away the PEDs and Bonds and Clemens are still Hall-worthy. If Halls of Fame were morality plays, they'd be getting smaller as the convictions roll in. Last time I checked, O.J. Simpson is still in Canton.
4. Bowled Over
The majority of you agree with me. The bowl mishmash has outlived its usefulness. There was one dissenter out there among you. Subscriber K.M. argues that the games are boosts to local economies which can use a boost. He writes, "The Independence Bowl, a pre-New Years' snooze fest in Shreveport, still clears $3-6 million for the local economy." Interesting point. The bowls were created as marketing tools for cities like Pasadena and New Orleans. Why not let Shreveport grab a few bucks for the locals?
5. Tebow-Mania
A couple of Tebow notes. 1) Sunday's overtime win against Pittsburgh was the most watched wild card game in NFL history, over 42 million TV viewers. 2) Here's Pittsburgh mayor Luke Ravenstahl "Tebowing" in a Broncos jersey, paying off on his bet. 3) "Tebowing" isn't limited to football. Watch what Jack Johnson does after scoring a goal for the L.A. Kings. And at the Denver Nuggets game, their mascot Rocky shoots backwards half court shots. He kept missing until unveiled his Tim Tebow jersey and "Tebowed" at half court. And of course on the next shot he nailed it! (Go to the 1:30 mark.) Is Vegas taking odds on the first home run hitter to "Tebow" on home plate after rounding the bases? A-Rod anyone?
Happy Birthday: Golf great Ben Crenshaw. 60.
Bonus Birthday: Grammy winner Mary J. Blige. 41.
Today in Sports: Quarterback Len Dawson leads the Kansas City Chiefs to an upset win over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV 23-7. 1970.
Bonus Event: Amelia Earhart became the first to fly solo from Hawaii to California. 1935.
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