Looking for Dandelions

One of my favorite cartoons was The Outlander also known aka Berkely Breathed aka Opus (I'm still not sure why the cartoon's name changed all the time but then again I'm not syndicated...yet). Nonetheless on those quiet Sunday's the characters in the cartoon strip would take a break from the trials and tribulations of the world to lie down in a dandelion patch. Some sort of symbolism of avoiding the real world with simple, good, clean fun. Sports in America tries to serve the same purpose (well those that look at sports in a healthy manner....and yes on the flipside are Boston Red Sox fans). Scanning a few headlines of the past few weeks on sports one gets 1) Players and fans exchanging punches like Mike Tyson in Vegas and 2) Steriods. Bonds and Giambi apparently didn't double in size overnight from eating spinach. And while the media points at the failing of the union and Bud Selig, the owners who have largely turned a blind eye and the fans who continue to buy tickets are equally to blame. I'm guessing the baseball will get stricter testing but future designer drugs (apparently the latest wave will include drugs that re-write DNA) will stay one step ahead. Sigh...where's that dandelion patch when you need it?

That was a pretty long rant so I'm just going to do a few points on odds and ends.

1. Hats off to Carson Palmer. 24 points in the 4rth. Over 300 yards throwing. Today, you are man. If he can keep it up...anything is possible

2. Do they really need to play the NFC playoffs? The real Atlanta stood up today in its 27-0 shlacking and apparently the true face of the Falcons is no different than the Lions.

3. I actually don't mind the BCS. You get lots of matchups that you normally don't (e.g. OSU v. OSU). Teams play hard the whole season since every game counts. The bowl season caps the number of games played so COLLEGE players are less likely to be hurt. Finally does anyone really think that a playoff system will end controversy. NCAA basketball has a 64 team playoffs and every year there is controversy over who's in and in what bracket each team is placed. Playoffs will not be some panacea.

4. I am most disappointed about Texas making the BCS. I really wanted to see a team that could throw the ball against Michigan. Instead it'll be lots of defense and lots of running. If it was up to me I would replace Pittsburgh with Texas for the Fiesta Bowl and replace Texas with California for the Rose Bowl. But since its apparently illegal to overthrow the BCS or the government, we have to suffer with Texas v. Michigan and Clarence Thomas.

5. I am excited for Miami University v. Iowa State (assuming scientists can find the cure to stab wounds for Miami's receiver). I think the state championship of Miami v. Florida could be good and don't discount Auburn v. Virgina Tech. Tech has one of the best defenses in college and Aurburn might have a hangover from not making it to the big dance. I'm predicting it now...USC in a walk over Oklahoma.