Writing the Pine

Javier Arenas

- #1 Alabama v. #2 Texas – not taking anything away from the other undefeated teams (TCU, Cincinnati) I think the BCS did get it right by pitting these two teams against each other.  I know I can’t wait for the Shipley/Arenas matchup on the outside.

Interesting fact: Other than LSU’s Justin Vincent in 2004, no other running back has won the MVP of the championship game. It’s been an honor bestowed to quarterbacks, corners/safeties, or wide receivers. So look for Javier Arenas or the combination of McCoy/Shipley/Thomas to snag the victory for their respective ball clubs.

I’ve always believed that great seasons have been due to great running backs (Peterson, Ingram, McFadden, Bush, etc.) But the big game comes down to QB/WR connections (or the corner/safety that shuts this battery off).

- Tiger Woods. Simply put. HOW DARE YOU SIR. More and more women are coming out of the woodwork and it’s a shame how many star athletes fall to the same sin. Fellow golfer John Daly has said that golf needs Tiger. Yes, but his family needs him more. Tiger’s obligation should not be to the sport he helped revitalize, but to his wife and kids.

As Matt Damon said in the season finale of Entourage:

“It’s for the kids.”

-Yankees captain Derek Jeter was snapped vacationing with his girlfriend (and possibly his fiance).

Two words Derek: Tiger Woods.

- Michael Vick – how funny/ironic life is at times. Vick gets his first rushing touchdown and his first throwing touchdown of the season in Atlanta. Before the Hawks, it was the Falcons (the Braves don’t count because despite all their division titles, they still couldn’t park a butt in a seat)

If revenge is sweet, I wonder how delicious atonement tastes.

- John Wall – finally got to see him in action vs North Carolina. Legit. This boy can flat out ball. Surprisingly a very good decision maker. Can we safely say that last years draft along with the prize of this years draft has ushered in a Renaissance of the point guard?

- Christmas came very early for Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints.

- The Raiders seem to have found their man in Bruce Gradkowski. Many positives for the Raiders next year.

- Brandon Jacobs should hate every team as much as he does the Dallas Cowboys. The Giants will thank him later.

Jessica Kourkounis / AP

- Welcome back Allen Iverson. Think of one basketball player since Jordan left and when LeBron arrived who has had more of an impact on the league than Allen Iverson. Nobody. And we’re talking a good dozen years. Shaq, maybe, but A.I’s  influences on the game and culture dwarf even those made by the Big Aristotle. And anyone else for that matter. Headbands, arm sleeves, cornrows, tattoos. If you don’t think any of that has anything to do with basketball as a whole, check out any playground nowadays around the world.

So show this man some respect and give him his due. You’re looking at one of the few trendsetters and trailblazers this league has ever known.

- Leave you guys with this thought: How many more women must come public before Nike, Gilette, and Tiger’s other endorsements drop him? I understand this is a business and Tiger’s a cash cow (that’s even an understatement) but where’s the line?