Random Observations on the Wonderful World of Sports

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---Goodbye Tom Brady, Hello Matt Cassel. Brady's season-ending injury has Patriots fans in a major state of panic. Rather than having one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time taking the snaps, New England is now stuck with a guy who has not started a game since high school. I think Belichick's grumpy persona just got a little more curmudgeonly.

---However, contrary to popular belief, Cassel will not be a total bust, and New England has more than enough talent to make the playoffs.

---Speaking of injuries, Shawne Merriman is done for the year. This injury coupled with Sunday's stunning loss at the final second to Jake Delhomme and the Panthers has San Diego looking for answers.

---Sources say that there is concern regarding Vince Young's emotional state. I have a sneaky feeling that this story is way overblown.

---Yeah, Brett Favre looked good in his Jets debut. But, for my money, Aaron Rodgers looked even better in his Packers debut.

---The Giants, Eagles, and Cowboys all look dominant. This is the strongest the NFC East has ever been.

---C'mon 49ers. We can do better than that! Let's beat the Seahawks!!! Go Niners!!! Now back to my unbiased journalistic integrity.

---Look out Tampa. The Red Sox are closing the door in the AL East. Still, I stand by my earlier prediction: The Rays will hang on to win the division. Tonight's critical, come-from-behind win over Boston should provide the Rays with a jolt of momentum.

---The Angels may suffer come October from not having played a meaningful game in months. Once the playoffs begin, K-Rod's fastball could lose some zip, Vlad's bat could lose some pop, and Chone Figgins could lose some of his Usain Bolt-like speed. Is this likely to occur? Absolutely not. But it is a possibility.

---584 fans attended a Florida Marlins game last week. This is an astonishing new low for the Fish. Why don't Florida baseball fans support their exciting young teams? One of the great mysteries of our time.

---You heard it here first. East Carolina will take college football by storm and will play and win in a BCS bowl this year.

---I really, really hope the Ohio State-USC game is close. But I would not be the slightest bit surprised if Mark Sanchez and the Trojans steamroll the Buckeyes.

---Horrible, horrible call at the end of that BYU-Washington game. If that was excessive celebration, then every tackle is unnecessary roughness.

---Oh, Monta Ellis. Why, oh, why would you pull a Jeff Kent and lie about your injury?

---Roger Federer is your 2008 US Open Champion. They should just cancel the US Open and hand the trophy to Federer every year. I believe Rafael Nadal is the best player in the game right now, but nobody can beat Federer in Flushing Meadow.

---A strong field was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame this past weekend. Dick Vitale, Patrick Ewing, Cathy Rush, Hakeem Olajuwon, Adrian Dantley, William Davidson, Pat Riley. It doesn't get any better than that.

---Great Charles Barkley interview on Dan Patrick's radio show today. Barkley, despite all his flaws, is such a smart, entertaining, and funny person. He is by far my favorite sports commentator in the business. Keep up the great work, Chuck.