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.