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:

---The New York Bretts, as Skip Bayless likes to say, picked up a huge division win in the hostile environment of Foxboro last night. The beat the rival Patriots in overtime, 34-31. Yet even in a loss, Matt Cassel had a monster game, throwing for 400 yards and proving that he might have the talent to carry New England to the playoffs.

---But the Pats did lose. I guess the cameras didn't work for cranky Bill Bellicheat this time.

---As for the Jets, that was a very impressive road victory. However, I anticipate with great disdain all the drool that the analysts will slobber all over Brett Favre.

---Who knows, if Brett can continue the Jets' success, maybe we will be in for a few more years of will-he-or-won't-he retire talk. And boy, am I excited for that.

---Here are my Week 11 picks: Falcons, Panthers, Eagles, Saints, Giants, Bucs, Dolphins, Packers, Colts, 49ers, Seahawks, Jaguars, Steelers, Redskins, Bills.

---Memo to the Niners: Please, I beg you, if we are again faced with a chance to win the game in the final seconds, as we were on Monday in Arizona, we need much better clock management. And the ball should go to Frank Gore on the last play, not Michael Robinson.

---Tough, tough loss for my Warriors last night at home against Allen Iverson and the new-look Pistons. We made some costly mistakes down the stretch, as when C.J. Watson stepped inbounds prematurely on an inbounds play. However, the third quarter was our undoing, as it has been all season.

---Hopefully, Nellie's crew will start winning A.S.A.P. It would be wonderfully satisfying if we could beat Baron Davis' new team when we play the Clippers in L.A. tomorrow. GO WARRIORS!

---Sorry Baron, but Warriors fans would love to make you regret your decision to bolt for Los Angeles, especially when you lied your way out of town.

---I'll say this about the Pistons: Watching A.I. finish spectacular drive after spectacular drive last night, it became evident to me that this was a great trade for Joe Dumars' organization. I still think the Celtics have a leg up in the East, but Detroit is a dangerous team that, with A.I. in the lineup, has a serious shot at a title.

---All is not well, however, for two perennial Texas-sized powers. The Spurs and Mavs are both struggling. San Antonio always starts slow, so there is no need to panic in the Alamo City. But Jason Kidd, Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard, and the Mavericks could be in for a disappointing year. In other words, Mark Cuban will have more anger than ever to release on the refs. Look out!

---Another quick note on the Mavs: I have nothing but respect for Rick Carlisle, a great coach. However, Avery Johnson should be the coach, not Carlisle. Johnson's firing was an egregious move by the Mavs.

---Say hello to your 6-1 Atlanta Hawks. I wouldn't stamp their ticket to the playoffs just yet, but Mike Woodson's team proved Wednesday against the Celtics that they can hang with the big boys. Maybe last year wasn't a fluke after all.

---I owe an apology to Mike Leach's Texas Tech Red Raiders. I picked Oklahoma State to upset Graham Harrell and Tech last weekend. Little did I know that the Red Raiders were about to open up a can of whoop-ass on the Cowboys. Could a trip to the National Championship game be in Tech's future?

---However, I am very confident about this upset pick: Navy will beat Notre Dame tomorrow. But don't worry, Fighting Irish fans, I'm sure Lou Holtz will find a way to preposterously put a positive spin on things.

---I know, I know, I'm a bit of a homer myself, but then again, I'm not a paid analyst for ESPN. Holtz's insistence that Notre Dame is the greatest team on earth is getting a little ridiculous. I can't wait to see what he comes up with tomorrow.

---I don't mean to be rude-----I actually like Mr. Holtz-----but it's time he wakes up to reality.

---I'm starting a new campaign here in the confines of TJB's Sports Universe: Impeach the BCS! Impeach the BCS! Impeach the BCS!

---College Basketball is underway, and here is my Final Four prediction: North Carolina, UCONN, Gonzaga, and Louisville. And remember, I reserve the right to change my mind at least twenty times before March Madness begins.

---Back to Notre Dame for a second. They may be struggling on the football field, but Mike Brey's team will be a legitimate contender on the basketball court.

---This is one of the most exciting baseball offseasons the game has ever seen. Manny Ramirez, CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira..... the list of big free agent names goes on and on. And judging by today's historic offer by the Yankees, it looks like Sabathia could very well be sporting pinstripes next season.

---I only have one wish, and that is for Manny Ramirez to be somewhere other than L.A. next season.

---A hearty congratulations to Tim Lincecum. As a big Giants fan, I feel blessed to have such a dominating pitcher. Lincecum is more than deserving of his Cy Young Award.

---I'll leave you on a somber note. On "Pardon the Interruption" today, a must-see for any sports fan, Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser expressed their beliefs that Mixed Martial Arts has permanently replaced boxing in terms of relevance in the United States. What a shame. I will never understand how such a mindlessly bloody sport that, unlike boxing, features very little athleticism or excitement, can be so popular. Heck, MMA is even dumber than NASCAR, and that's saying something.