IS IT GROUNDHOG DAY AGAIN by Tannen

So Brett Farve announced his retirement. Thank heavens we didn't have to put up with the whole drama queen press conference with the crocodile tears. I'll speak as a Jets fan first than a football fan. Farve was terrific for much of the season turning a 4 & 12 disaster into a playoff contender. He was awful down the stretch, but part of the blame goes to Mangini and the incompetent coaching staff who refused to alter a failing game plan. He also broke down proving that remarkable streak of never missing a start took it's toll. As for those who say he tainted his legacy I say have a clue. You can't undo all the great work, magical moments, 2 Super Bowl appearances and 3 MVP's. From my chair a murdering pig like O.J tainted his legacy or the clown patrol in baseball like Bonds, Clemens or A-Rod. For the record, as an occasional customer I received an e-mail from the Jet Shop informing me all Brett Farve gear is now 50% off. Nice try!
With all the talk about Ernie Kent feeling the heat, was wondering about the G.S article in today's Guard that mentioned Rick Pitino as a possible replacement. Really? Where the hell did that come from? Pitino is as far west as we'll ever see him in Louisville. How does a guy with a career path from Boston, to Providence, to New York, to Kentucky, back to Boston to Louisville at age 57 figure to work Eugene in there? Much more on this and Duke/North Carolina, baseball and you on today's show.

COMEDY WRITING by Tannen

Can't tell you how many accounts of the so-called Alex Rodriguez "confession" lead with a version of coming clean. Sorry, but that's not accurate. Coming clean means you can't live with the lie and have to admit to what you've done to feel better about yourself and get on with your life. Being presented with non-deniable evidence and deciding the ONLY way to salvage what's left of your reputation and justify maintaining your job or circumstance isn't quite the same. That's the classic case of being sorry for getting caught. Arod's interview with Peter Gammons of ESPN is a freaking joke.
Was quite pleased to read Oregon men's hoops is in the running for stud Wisconsin prep star Jamil Wilson. A scary athlete, who is 6'7 and can score, or more importantly create his own scoring opportunities, is just what the doctor ordered. In no area have the Ducks been lacking then a guy who can torch the defense one on one when they need a bucket. Of course he's also considering national powers Texas & Michigan State. Here's hoping he sees the magnificence of Eugene, a new arena and a bevy of young talent to grow with.
Hard to believe, but Selection Sunday isn't that far off. The field for the 2009 NCAA's will be set on March 15th, and that's just 5 weeks from this coming Sunday. With Oregon obviously out of the picture, we'll throw more of an eye on the national picture. We get North Carolina at Duke tomorrow night for the inside track at one of those #1 seeds. It's not out of the question they both land a coveted spot like that. UConn has as tough an inside-out game as anyone. Pitt has experience and will have navigated through the difficult Big East like the Huskies. In the Pac-10 we have Arizona back in the picture after a shaky start to league play which saw them drop 5 of the first 7. They've reeled off 4 straight but face a stern part of the schedule with USC & UCLA in this weekend before 3 in a row on the road at Arizona State and the Washington Schools. The league has a pretty legit shot at placing 6 teams in the dance. Much more on this during SportsTalk.

FROM DAY ONE by Tannen

I vividly remember the day after Valentine's Day, 2004 when the word came down the Yankees had traded with Texas for Alex Rodriguez. The SportsTalk phones lit up expecting me to be in a joyous mood. Imagine their surprise when I mentioned how soured I was. Willing to let things play out, but skeptical about a guy who talked about his desire to win, then leaving a Seattle team who'd made the AL championship series for a garbage, perennial losing franchise like Texas. It was all about the money, albeit a ridiculous quarter of a billion dollar deal. In 2004, New York was the defending American League champion and rolled into the playoffs, through the Twins in round one and onto a 3 games to none lead against Boston for the league pennant. The rest is history with the Bosox becoming the first to overcome such a deficit and Rodriguez leading the tank job with one hit over his final 17 at bats. New York has failed to win another playoff series, falling in round one in 2005, 06 & 07 and not even qualifying for the post season last year. In those 3 playoff defeats, A-Fraud has 6 hits in 44 at bats or about a .140 batting average. His only homer and run driven in the 7th inning of the final game of the 2007 league championship series against Cleveland in the last inning to cut the lead from 6-2 to 6-3, not exactly Mr. October stuff. The guy is a disgrace, but has to get in line with Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Sammy Sosa as those who performed magical feats on the field but will forever be known as cheaters. Let's make sure no one ever forgets.

HURRY UP AND WAIT by Tannen

Before people get their proverbial shorts in a bunch, set your mind to the fact Oregon or anyone else will not be getting a decision about stud running back Bryce Brown for at least another 3-4 weeks. According to a piece in USA Today(yesterday/Thur) he will meet with his adviser next week and decide where he will take his final two recruiting visits. Those who remain in the running are Kansas State, Tennessee, Auburn, USC and Oregon. Let's run the depth charts. K-State, remember has brought back former coach Bill Snyder to revitalize the program. They had one running back, John Hubert sign on Wednesday. They did not have a strong rush attack in 2008 with about 1600 on the ground compared to double that throwing with Josh Freeman who was also 2nd running. Their 2-deep includes a sophomore and freshman so if Snyder is going back to his more balanced offense, Brown likely steps right in as the horse. Plus it's his home state. New administration in Knoxville with Lane Kiffen as the new coach. They landed one back, Toney Williams. They were horrible offensively all around and while the top rusher was a senior, he had just 570 yards so this is another great spot for Brown to become THE guy. I won't get into USC because it's the best program in America and I would never blame a young fella for choosing Troy. Auburn is also a program in transition. The Tigers already signed a high level recruit in Onterrio McCalebb out of Fort Meade, Florida. Their top rusher, Ben Tate, returns for his senior season but he was far from a beast with about 650 yards and just 3 TD's. This is certainly another viable option for Brown. We can look at things through Duck colored glasses all we want, but in the end, it looks like right now Oregon has a 1 in 5 shot that could jump to 50% if Eugene is one of his 2 final trips. Stay tuned.

THE UPSIDE OF SPITE by Tannen

I find myself cheering for the misery of people I dislike or don't respect. Not sure if it's purely a character issue, the economy or what. I read about more damning evidence against Bonds and it puts a smile on my face. Dick Cheney hurt his back moving boxes(likely containing secrets) and I'm doubled over laughing. The Cowboys might cut T.O? Can I please, please, please be in the room? A knucklehead trainer keeps old syringes with Roger Clemens DNA and I can't stop laughing.
Much of it is gut, but I'm beaming over some positives as well. Love the Oregon 2009 recruiting class. Rather than look good early and disappoint, it appears they finished like Affirmed and landed a ton of high level talent in critical areas. Like what Nick Satan has done at Alabama, they're loading up in the trenches. As the game and season move along, if you have depth on both lines, you will dominate. Both this season and last, the New York Giants started the same 5 on the offensive line and it led to a Super Bowl championship and the #1 seed in their conference. Not a coincidence.
Do you get the feeling the Duck men are gonna get one tonight or Saturday against Arizona? I'm thinking the Cats could fall at the Pit. Again, gotta trust the gut on occasion.
How about the defensive effort this week by my beloved Knickerbockers. Kobe hangs 61 on them followed by a triple double courtesy of Lebron that included 52 points. Willis Reed where for art thou?

ANOTHER EDITION OF C.J.A by Tannen

Okay, it's been 48 hours since the TD to Holmes and the fumble by Warner(if it was) put the wraps on Super Bowl 43. Now the debate begins about the best ever. All you really can do is admit it belongs in the conversation. It certainly stands up to last year when the Giants knocked off the mighty Patriots going for the 1st perfect season in league history since the NFL expanded to 16 games in 1978. For pure volume of great players, nothing may ever touch the final Steeler/Cowboy matchup in January of 1979. Bradshaw, Staubach, Franco, Swann, Dorsett, both coaches and on and on. Pittsburgh won that 35-31. I always view the 3rd & 4th Super Bowls as critical and historically significant because the AFL teams, Jets 16-7 & Chiefs 23-7 demolished NFL teams(Colts/Vikings) who were 14-17 point favorites. It was at that time the powers that be were forced into the realization the junior league was equal, we got our merger, and the NFL has grown into the beast we now enjoy.
So place Pitt 27 Az 23 where you like, but understand for entertainment value & football drama, it's etched as a great one forever.

ELUSIVE WORDS by Tannen

Seriously, how often does the ultimate hyped event exceed expectations. For openers, congrats to our S Bowl contest winner Jared, just a point off at Steelers 28-23. Well done, enjoy the golf at Emerald Valley. Gotta tell ya, at 20-7 entering the 4th, I was feeling pretty good about my parlay with Pittsburgh - 6 1/2 with the under 46 1/2. Was even more pleased when the Steeler defense forced a punt and they took posession with a shot at putting the game on ice with any kind of a sustained scoring drive. Here's where that Cardinal defense came up large. After a great run on 1st down by Parker, they stuffed the next run for a big loss, then dumped Rothlisberger for a clutch sack. The ensuing money drive engineered by Warner was crisp, culminating with that terrific 1 yard alley oop to Fitzgerald. You saw the rest. We'll have a massive chat about this on today's program.
I guess there is no more sugar coating things about Oregon men's hoops. It's ugly and there AIN'T no way around it.