Benz and a Backpack

Well, it wasn’t much of a surprise, but Auburn’s QB Cam Newton was this year’s recipient of the prestigious Heisman trophy. It has been something of a story-book year for Newton as he receives this award in preparation for the BCS National championship game against the Oregon Ducks. However, the award ceremony was undeniably sullied by allegations that Newton’s father may have violated NCAA rules by trying to solicit his son to Mississippi State in exchange for some cash. I am sure we will all hear the falling out of such an investigation, but it naturally raises the question about the appropriateness of college players receiving monetary compensation. I am equally sure that there were dollar signs in the eyes of any coach recruiting this star way back when, and rightfully so. He is currently responsible for more points than any other player in the FBS (by a margin of 22), further proof that it is all about being on the right side of 0. He probably doesn’t have much use for a backpack, but expect to see him in a Benz.

Believe it or not, even the NFL has to bow to the whims of Mother Nature from time to time. The inflatable roof at the Metrodome collapsed under the barrage of snow, moving back the Vikings game against the Giants yet another day. Initially the game was postponed because the Giants were unable to fly out of Kansas City during the storm. The game will be played on Monday in Detroit, and, hell, the Vikings could use an extra day. Another interesting note in the NFL is that Michael Vick is the leading vote getter in Pro-Bowl voting. I know no one cares about the Pro-Bowl but it makes a man wonder whether Vick is in the running for MVP.

Now, players get tons of love, but this week in sports coaches everywhere have decided to make their presence known. Mike Kryzewski, head coach of the illustrious Duke basketball program won his 877^th game putting him 3^rd on the all time college coach win list. He trails only Dean Smith of rival North Carolina Tar Heels and Bobby Knight. As I have said time and time again, I am a perennial fan of the underdog. It is hard for me to talk about Duke kindly since they are the Yankees of college basketball, but Kryzewski coached team USA to a Gold medal. It is hard to harbor any hate for that.

Byron Scott, former Laker great, recipient of the Coach of the Year award when coaching in New Orleans, and current coach of the Cavaliers made sure his players are hearing his voice loud and clear. Scott had a bunch of his Cavaliers players fined this week for not showing up on time to games. There was a snowstorm sure, but apparently that is no good excuse. I guess he wants the world to know the Cavs are just as serious about winning, with or without their former King LeBron. I wonder what George Karl, (now a part of the 1000 win club) would say about a move like that?

Is it December? Yes. Is baseball being played? No. Is Carl Crawford inked to the Red Sox for 7 years? Yes. I had to shake my head a few times to see if it rattled when I heard the news, but for now it seems to be very true. The Yankees, not to be outdone, have offered one of the league’s best pitchers, Cliff Lee, a 7-year deal but all indications are that Lee will stay a Ranger. Jason Werth is a National for 7 years at the price of 126 million dollars, but we’ll see if Strasburg shows up with a healthy shoulder next season. Until then, we have an excited Carl Crawford in Boston, and a Derek Jeter being made to jump through hoops for the big bucks in the 2011 season. What a turn in the crazy world of sports.

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