New Year's Resolutions

The ball is dropping soon, so it's time to look ahead to 2011. Next year I promise to...

• Grow a Bob Brenly moustache
• Wear my Oakland Raiders apparel more often (there's still time to order your Jacoby Ford jerseys)
• Go to as many sporting events as humanly possible
• Stop saying "call me crazy"
• Study harder for my fantasy baseball and football drafts
• Watch the movie "Avatar" (OK, maybe not)
• Improve my NFL upset picks
• Drink beer for the first time (I hear it's pretty tasty)
• Perfect my Bruce Weber impression
• Finish my "Saved by the Bell" inspired screenplay (the working title is "Bayside on All Sides")
• Run with scissors
• Win the lottery, or at least annoy the person in line behind me by purchasing like 100 different scratch-off tickets
• Skate tough or go home

An ambitious list to be sure, but if you're going to dream, dream big!

More Fun With Ozzie

The one good thing I can say about Ozzie Guillen is that comedy follows him like a hungry dog.

In case you missed it, here's what new Red Sox reliever Bobby Jenks had to say about his former skipper:

"Why would I come back to that negativity? I'm looking forward to playing for a manager who knows how to run a bullpen."

Tremendous! Bobby's dig was countered with, you guessed it, a "Tweet," but not from Ozzie. No, that would be too easy. Rather, his son fired away on Twitter, calling Jenks "an ungrateful punk" who used to "cry in the manager's office." I can't imagine that's true, but it's pretty damn funny.

Very nice work gentlemen. Hollywood movie writers couldn't come up with this stuff. I can't wait until Boston and Chicago meet this May. A cage match can't be far behind.

Illini On The Mend

Nothing cures a hoops slump like a trip to Iowa! Looking forward to a serious black-and-gold beating tomorrow night.

It's not that I think Illinois is that good. Iowa is simply that bad. Wednesday should be a nice confidence builder to begin the Big Ten season. Then it gets interesting, as the Badgers travel to Urbana on Sunday.

Holiday Upsets

I'm giving the gift of wisdom this season. Enjoy a couple of holiday upsets for week 16...

• Titans over Chiefs: Call me crazy, but I STILL don't believe in the Kansas City Chiefs. I'm out on a limb here, as it's a home game for KC, but I like Tennessee to shut down Jamaal Charles and the Chiefs' running game. Look for the Titans to slow down the KC playoff train.
• Browns over Ravens: Baltimore is obviously the better team, but I love what Cleveland is doing this year. The defense is improving, and the offensive line is rock solid. This one should be an ugly game, but I like the Browns to grind one out at home.

I'd really like to pick the Raiders (America's team) over the Colts, but that's nothing more than a wish list. Oakland is finally on the rise, but it will take one more year for a return to the postseason. Get your Jacoby Ford jerseys while you still can!

Perspective

This story simply amazes me...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?page=hotread15/MikeHeimerdinger

All the best to Mike and his family.

Bonehead Move

File this one under "selfish and stupid."

In case you've been on the moon, Terrelle Pryor and four Ohio State teammates have been suspended for five games in 2011 for accepting illegal benefits. According to ESPN.com, the players sold awards, gifts, and university apparel, including Pryor's Big Ten title ring.

I'm not an expert on the NCAA rulebook, but this kind of violation is probably on page one. So much for next season's national championship ideas, Buckeye fans. Happy holidays.

And can somebody please tell me why these athletes get to play in the upcoming Bowl game?

Better Look Out For The Brew Crew

They didn't quite make the same splash as signing Cliff Lee and Carl Crawford, but the Brewers' off-season moves propelled them back into contention.

By adding starting pitchers Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum, Milwaukee is powering up for a run at the NL Central title. The offense is still solid, and now the rotation (including Yovani Gallardo and Randy Wolf) is no longer a liability.

If new manager Ron Roenicke can develop a reliable bullpen, the Brewers should challenge the Cardinals and Reds in 2011, which will likely be Prince Fielder's final season in Milwaukee.

A Friendly Reminder

Don't forget to follow your favorite writer (me) at...

http://viewfromthebleachers.com

The Soap Opera Continues

Today the Redskins announced that Donovan McNabb has been benched in favor of Rex Grossman. You heard me, Rex Grossman. What in the name of Jay Schroeder is going on in Washington?

Look, we all know it's been a struggle for McNabb this year, as he's thrown a career-high 15 interceptions. But McNabb on his worst day is twice as good as Rex Grossman or John Beck, the next QB on the depth chart.

Mike Shanahan is a proven NFL head coach, but the way he's handled this situation boggles the mind. McNabb is 34, so his best days are obviously behind him. However, he's still more than talented enough to lead a team to the postseason. It all comes down to the quality of players around him.

I hope he gets a fresh start in another city next year.

High Noon

It's put-up or shut-up time for the San Diego Chargers.

As usual, the Bolts dug themselves a big hole early in the season. As usual, they have a chance to finish strong and make the playoffs.

I simply don't understand how this team underachieves so often. The roster is loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. At some point Norv Turner has to be held accountable.

On paper, tonight's match-up with San Francisco looks like an easy victory for Rivers and company. However, the Chargers keep reminding us that there's no such thing.

The Streak Is Over

I simply can't believe it. Who would have guessed that it could end this way?

In case you missed the big news, today is the official end of my coffee streak. For 297 days, I bravely consumed at least one cup of black coffee--McDonald's coffee, office coffee, vending machine coffee, bank coffee. You name it, I drank it.

I'd like to thank everyone who supported this challenging endeavor. I won't lie to you, there were days that I simply didn't feel like drinking another cup. But it was during those difficult times that I remembered all the kids who were counting on me. I gave it my best shot for 297 grueling days, and now it's done. I hope that I made you proud.

Oh yeah, that Brett Favre thing ended today, too. Maybe I'll buy a pair of Wrangler jeans in his honor. Then again, maybe not.

Don't Look Now

It's no surprise to me, but the Miami Heat are on a roll. Last night's win over Golden State was seven in a row, which runs their record to 16-8. Hands off the panic button, please.

So what happened to the so-called experts who were calling for Erik Spolestra's head on a plate? Did he suddenly get smart? It's always amazing what a little patience and perspective will do.

Having said that, the Pat Riley rumors won't go away, which is really too bad. Spolestra looks like an up-and-coming NBA coach to me. Then again, I thought the Knicks would be terrible this year, so what do I know?

The Return Of The Weekly Upsets

I'm back on the upset train! Admit it, you missed my "can't-miss" NFL picks. OK, maybe not, but here are two bold predictions anyway...

• Minnesota over NY Giants: To quote Orel Hershiser, Leslie Frazier has "turned this ship around." It's amazing what a healthy does of Adrian Peterson can do for an offense. Look for the Vikings to slow down the Giants' running game and squeak out a hard-fought victory.
• Washington over Tampa Bay: As much as I like Raheem Morris and QB Josh Freeman, I simply don't believe in the Bucs. The Redskins certainly aren't world beaters, but they're good enough to knock off an overrated Tampa team at home. McNabb and company will get it together this week.

I really want to take Houston over Baltimore, but I just can't pull the trigger. It's been another disappointing season for the Texans, who looked like a playoff team coming into the season. Gary Kubiak will likely be looking for work this spring.

Lennon

In case you've been stranded on an island somewhere, it's been 30 years since John Lennon's death. Time certainly goes by too fast.

In addition to being one of the world's greatest songwriters, Lennon was always an entertaining interview. Here's a link to an interview he did with Tom Snyder in the 1970s. Enjoy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58hSFj_9Gfs&feature=related

Cubs Prospects

In case you missed it, here is John Sickels' updated list of the Cubs top 10 prospects:

1) Brett Jackson
2) Trey McNutt
3) Chris Archer
4) Hak-Ju Lee
5) Chris Carpenter (no, not that one)
6) Jay Jackson
7) Hayden Simpson
8) Brandon Guyer
9) Reggie Golden
10) Josh Vitters

A few random thoughts...First, it's hard to believe how far Vitters has fallen. It's too soon to give up on him, but right now he looks like another big-time bust. Next, I absolutely love Brett Jackson. Hopefully he's patrolling CF in the very near future. Finally, the system seems to be loaded with arms. Obviously they won't all pan out, but it's not a stretch to think that one or two from the list of Jackson (Jay), Archer, Carpenter, Mc Nutt (great name), and Simpson will be useful.

Overall, I'm encouraged. It will be interesting to see if the Cubs develop these players or use some of them as trade bait. As always, I vote for option two.

Harold Reynolds Strikes Again

I'm watching "Hot Stove" on MLB Network, and I just heard Harold Reynolds describe Carl Crawford as "the Rickey Henderson of his generation."

Well, Rickey's career on-base percentage was .401. Guess what Carl's career number is? A whopping .337. His all-time high in walks is 51. Rickey hit the century mark seven times. He drew 80-99 walks 13 more times.

This is yet another example of a player turned analyst who doesn't understand even the most basic aspects of the game. Solid work, Harold.

Another Nice Move

According to MLB Network, the Cardinals have signed Lance Berkman to a one-year deal. Assuming that Berkman is reasonably healthy, this is another solid move by a team that usually makes plenty of them (with the possible exception of trading for Ryan Theriot).

Berkman's knee troubles make playing the outfield a risky endeavor, but this is a classic example of the "low-risk, high-reward" mentality that so many teams don't understand.

As a Cubs fan, I really wanted to see Berkman at 1B in 2011. Hopefully the Northsiders will go get Carlos Pena or Adam LaRoche. With my luck, they'll bring back Derrek Lee with a long-term deal.

Enjoy Lance Berkman, Cardinal fans. And take a little time to appreciate the leadership your team has. Not every franchise is so fortunate.

Dunn Deal

ESPN is reporting that the White Sox signed Adam Dunn to a four-year, $56 million deal. This is a solid move by a team desperate for offense.

If (when) Dunn hits and the White Sox don't win, what percentage of their fans will say that it's because the team doesn't have enough "grinders"? I'll go with 95 percent.

The Heat Is On The Heat

It's simply amazing to watch everyone pile on LeBron James and the Miami Heat.

Yes, they're off to a so-so start (11-8 as of this posting). And yes, the coaching situation is messy, but what did you expect with Pat Riley in the background?

All I can say for sure is that, if healthy, the Heat will get it together very soon. So enjoy the underachieving while it lasts.