What you are about to read is not so much a column as it is stuff I couldn't get out of my head while I was supposed to be writing my column. Call it stream of consciousness.
One thing I know is that Jon Gruden just broke my heart. He immediately lost some of my respect when he left the Bay Area for Tampa Bay.
Maybe the whole \Brady fumbles but we still get the shaft in the New England blizzard"" game zapped all of his motivation for one last shot with a pretty talented Oakland team.
But who likes the Buccaneers? I mean, really? Can you say bandwagon? Nobody in their right mind likes Tampa Bay, whose history of futility and ineptness is unparalleled.
People love to hate the Raiders, but mostly because they have a history of nastiness, rebellion and winning. Must be the money.
The Bucs paid through the teeth to sign Gruden as their next head coach. Tampa Bay sent Oakland two first-round and two second-round draft picks over the next three years, not to mention $8 million in cash, to get him.
Warren Sapp was even rumored to be involved in the deal at one point. If you thought Sapp was a thug before, imagine him in silver and black. Scary.
The question remains: How can I continue pulling for Gruden now that he directs one of football's most despicable teams? This is a dilemma, because seeing Tampa Bay lose is fun for me.
Speaking of which, it is time for college hoops fans to bust out the champagne.
Duke, college basketball's equivalent of the Dark Side, has lost again. Maryland finally delivered the spanking the Dukies deserved. We all knew it was coming, but now that its here, I'm just... (sniff) so happy.
I'm not sure what could possibly be more gratifying than seeing the team you hate the most lose. In some sick and twisted way, I think I enjoy it even more than when my favorite team wins.
Unless the Badgers hoist some sort of championship banner, I think this will be the highlight of the college basketball season for me.
Well, wait a second.
What is going on with the basketball Badgers? First, the seemingly unstoppable women's team bottomed out. Now the men's team has caught fire. Big conference wins are starting to add up, making Wisconsin a team with'dare I say it'potential.
That ""thwap"" you hear is the sound of me kicking myself right now for not buying season tickets. I don't think I had missed a game in three years when I opted to pass on this year's squad.
""Too much going on... too expensive... no Boone, Kelly or Kowske,"" I thought.
Hey, can you honestly tell me that you aren't completely in love with Bo Ryan at this point? I don't think you can. Not only is he a walking quote, but he has also molded his youngsters into a dangerous group in year one.
The true goodness of Kirk Penney has officially arrived. UW's two standout freshmen possess (gasp) athleticism. Best of all, Mark Vershaw is not around to confuse us with a medley of reverse lay-ups.
Now that I think of it, Gruden can go wherever he wants to. Bo is takin' care of business in my own backyard.
