odds & ends

Congratulations to ALABAMA for securing yet another national championship for the SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE by beating clemson 45-40 in one of the more entertaining title games in recent history. the SEC continues to dominate college football with their ninth championship in 15 years but at least this time around, clemson gave 'bama all it could handle, unlike the notre dame debacle a couple of years back.
******************************************
moving to the other end of the spectrum, the CHICAGO BULLS are proving that their recent 6 game winning streak was nothing but smoke and mirrors as they got drubbed for the second time in 3 days, losing AT HOME to the last place WASHINGTON WIZARDS, 114-100, despite the return of JOAKIM NOAH, who provided 9 rebounds & 4 assists in 19 minutes of play after missing eight games with a shoulder injury.  

the bulls play ole!  defense and most nights get a great view of the opponent's backside as he repeatedly beats them off the dribble. this team has to get an inside presence via a trade if they're serious about this year. and some heart.
*********************************************
best team in chicago top to bottom is of course, the CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS, who continue their winning ways and despite the all-star snub for COREY CRAWFORD, this team seems to be well balanced both on & off the ice and maybe destined to go deep in the playoffs. if they start to get consistent scoring from the other lines, maybe.............
***********************************************
why is CINCINNATI BENGAL coach MARVIN LEWIS still employed? football wise, he's 0-7 in the playoffs and that should be enough to fire him right there but his continued employment AND SUPPORT of criminal behavior continues to be an embarrassment to both cincinnati and the NFL. 

long time bengals quarterback and CBS announcer BOOMER ESAISON is calling for VONTAZE BURFICT to be analyzed by a psychiatrist and then receive the professional help that he 'obviously needs' and many members of the media are calling for lewis to be fired.

burfict is the linebacker who started the bengal meltdown on sunday when he took a run at the head of a steeler's receiver and drew a 15 yard penalty. lewis, however, continues to support burfict loud & proud and defend his actions in the game. lewis conveniently forgets that burfict is a ghetto thug whose had nothing but trouble on & off the field since his time at arizona state. FYI--it should be noted that burfict has already been suspended 3 games for next year for this incident and lewis is 'amazed' that the league acted that harshly.'    mr. lewis should be happy that i'm not the commissioner.............
**********************************************
are the WHITE SOX going to pull the trigger on high priced free agent outfielder JUSTIN UPTON? probably not because the sox rarely give contracts longer than 3 or 4 years and he wants six. same theory applies to YOENIS CESPEDES but they need a professional outfielder so they can move AVISAIL GARCIA, who's a disaster defensively.
****************************************
the CUBS also need a center fielder so they can move JASON HEYWARD back to right, which is his best position.
one month til spring training.  we'll see.....................
***********************************
ok, that's it. happy powerball to you!