The Aftermath of a Stunner, and a Showdown in Detroit

With roughly ten seconds left on the clock, I started to celebrate along with the rest of Niners Nation. My beloved San Francisco 49ers were one play away from earning one of the gutsiest, most impressive victories in recent memory. They were without their best player (Frank Gore left the game in the first quarter due to an ankle sprain), and they had not once converted on third down, yet Mike Singletary's Niners were on their way to beating the Minnesota Vikings in the hostile environment of the Metrodome. With this win, the 49ers would improve to 3-0, sending a huge message to the rest of the NFL. But with one Hail Mary heave from Brett Favre, and one insane catch by unknown wide receiver Greg Lewis, the Vikings stunned the Niners in the final seconds. What looked like an awesomely inspiring win quickly turned into one of the most disheartening losses I've ever witnessed.

But here's the catch: While the sting of yesterday's defeat still lingers, the San Francisco 49ers may be stronger as a result. Even in crushing defeat, there were several encouraging signs that bode well for the rest of the season: the continued growth of quarterback Shaun Hill and tight end Vernon Davis, the continued success of Patrick Willis, Aubrayo Franklin, Takeo Spikes, Nate Clements, and the 49er D, and most of all, the overall grit and spirit that this team has shown under the great Mike Singletary. While the loss to Minnesota surely felt like a ski boot to the groin, the 49ers still have sole possession of first place, and they are clearly the team to beat in the NFC West. Next week the Niners should be able to rebound with a win over the lowly Rams, and all will be right with the world.

So yes, a loss is a loss, and yesterday's was especially painful. But even in a heartbreaker, the Niners showed that they are for real. And as a diehard Niner fan, I can't wait to see what this team does next.

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The state of Minnesota is probably still buzzing over the last-second heroics of the Vikings, and rightfully so. However, this week they should shift their attention to baseball. The Twins commence a make-or-break four game set at the AL Central-leading Detroit Tigers tonight. Jim Leyland's Tigers have a two game lead over Joe Mauer and the Twins, a division lead that has been shrinking by the day. The crowds at Comerica Park will be rocking, but I think the Twins have what it takes to shock the Tigers and steal the division. The series kicks off tonight with two youngsters on the mound, Nick Blackburn for the Twins and Rick Porcello for the Tigers. The key for young pitchers is to avoid getting too geeked up for big games, and tonight's game is about as big as a regular season game gets. It should be a fun week at the yard in Detroit, a week that will give us a preview of the October excitement that's bound to come.

Manning, Greinke, Singletary, and 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:

---Right now, Manning is the best quarterback in football. The only question is, which Manning? Eli Manning spoiled the regular season debut of the new Cowboys Stadium on Sunday night, orchestrating a tremendously impressive final drive that buoyed the Giants to victory. The very next night, on Monday Night Football, brother Peyton stunned the Dolphins in the final seconds with a clutch drive of his own. So who's better? I say Peyton.

---There is no doubt that Eli has evolved into one of the NFL's top tier quarterbacks, but his older bro remains the cream of the crop. With apologies to the great Johnny Unitas, Peyton Manning will go down as the greatest quarterback in Colts history, and one of the greatest QB's of all time.

---And no, I have not forgotten about Tom Brady. It goes without saying that Brady is an all-time great, and a strong argument could be made asserting Brady as the best QB in the game. However, he looked awfully shaky in Sunday's loss at the Jets. All the credit for the Jets win belongs to Mark Sanchez and coach Rex Ryan, and the Jets were clearly the better team. But something is a little off about Brady, who is fresh off a major knee injury that kept him sidelined last season. If Brady does not return to top form in 2009, the Pats can kiss goodbye to their Super Bowl hopes.

---Goooooooooooooooo 49ers!!!!! My Niners have gotten off to a superb start, with consecutive divisional wins over the Cardinals and Seahawks. Shaun Hill has been very consistent behind center, Vernon Davis has been an effective force at wide receiver, and Frank Gore further established his reputation as one of the game's most dangerous players in the win over Seattle. But it has been the ferocious defense that has bolstered the Niners to an undefeated start. Patrick Willis, Nate Clements, Dre Bly, Manny Lawson, Dashon Goldson, and company have held the opposition to 26 combined points in two games.

---And it is great to see Coach Mike Singletary receiving so much national attention. He is one of the most passionate and exciting coaches in all of sports.

---Whether or not the Jets tampered with Michael Crabtree is irrelevant to me. I have had enough of this Crabtree nonsense. If he persists in his stubborn ways and winds up re-entering the draft next year, Crabtree will go down as one of the dumbest athletes ever. End of discussion.

---Here come the Minnesota Twins. Jim Leyland's Detroit Tigers have been rolling right along in the AL Central for most of the season, but they have been slowly but surely coughing up their divsion lead down the stretch. Meanwhile, thanks in large part to the heroic efforts of Joe Mauer, Ron Gardenhire's Twins are only 2.5 games back with two weeks to play. The Twins and Tigers play four games at Comerica Park next week, and those four games will determine which team will be playing October baseball. I'm going to go out on a limb and pick the Twins to catch the Tigers, marking the most egregious September collapse since the 2007 Mets.

---Okay, I concede. The Rockies are just too damn good. Guys like Troy Tulowitzki, Todd Helton, Brad Hawpe, and Seth Smith keep getting clutch hit after clutch hit, and the pitching, led by Ubaldo Jimenez, has been nothing short of stellar. Jim Tracy deserves to win NL Manager of the Year for righting the ship in the aftermath of the Clint Hurdle firing. My Giants have had an encouraging year, but our playoff hopes are all but dead. It's time for us to just tip our cap to the Rockies.

---If the Rockies meet the Phillies in October, I like their chances. But I'm not sure Colorado has what it takes to defeat the Cardinals. As long as Carpenter, Pujols, and Wainwright are healthy, the St. Louis Cardinals are the favorites in the National League.

---The argument for who should win the AL Cy Young is a fascinating one, with three deserving candidates: The Yankees' CC Sabathia, the Mariners' Felix Hernandez, and the Royals' Zack Greinke. A case can be made for all three, but I think the award belongs to Greinke. When you consider the fact that he plays on a lackluster team, Greinke's numbers are simply staggering.

---Down go the Trojans! Steve Sarkisian's Washington Huskies scored a hugely impressive upset over USC last weekend, and now USC may very well be dethroned in the Pac-10. The battle for Pac-10 supremacy will be decided on October 3 in Berkeley, when USC meets Cal. With a productive outing from Heisman candidate Jahvid Best, Cal will assert itself as the team to beat in the Pac-10.

---Ladies and gentleman, The U is back. Miami's resurgence has been led by the superb quarterback Jacory Harris. Harris has displayed remarkable cool in pressure-packed situations, and he has serious NFL potential. Look for Harris to lead the Canes to a BCS bowl win.

---I'll finish by giving my thoughts on Michael Jordan's Hall of Fame acceptance speech. I know I'm late to the controversy, but I thought His Airness came across as petty and bitter, looking to silence his doubters rather than thank those who helped him get to the top. I love Jordan, but his speech was a colossal disappointment.

Week 2 NFL Winners

Okay here we go. After a 12-4 record in week one, I aim to improve my football prognostication skills in week 2. So, according to my ability to foresee the future, the following teams will be celebrating a victory. And remember, GO Niners!!!!!!!!!!!:

FALCONS over Panthers
Vikings over LIONS
PACKERS over Bengals
JAGUARS over Cardinals
CHIEFS over Raiders
JETS over Patriots
EAGLES over Saints
TITANS over Texans
REDSKINS over Rams
BILLS over Bucs
49ERS over Seahawks
Steelers over BROWNS
BRONCOS over Browns
Ravens over CHARGERS
Giants over COWBOYS
Colts over DOLPHINS

The Posada Brawl, and Temper on the Tennis Court

Heading into last night's Blue Jays-Yankees game in the Bronx, there didn't seem to be any notable storylines. The Fighting Pinstripes are running away with the AL East, simply biding their time before the calendar strikes October, while the Toronto Blue Jays are once again mired in a thoroughly forgettable season. Yet by the end of the game, this seemingly meaningless showdown had produced one of the most indelible images of the 2009 baseball season: the nasty, gigantic gash on the head of Blue Jays pitcher Jesse Carlson.

Here's what took place: The Jays were rolling when two of their hitters were plunked. With this being baseball, there was bound to be retaliation. Eventually, the inevitable occurred, with Carlson throwing a heater behind the back of Posada. Posada and Carlson exchanged some words, and the benches momentarily cleared, though no real fracas transpired. Posada ended up with a walk, eventually scoring on Brett Gardner's double. Here's where things got juicy. As Posada approached the plate, Carlson intentionally stood on the wrong side of home plate, a way of metaphorically flexing his muscles and sending a message to Posada. As Posada crossed the plate, he elbowed Carlson, and tempers flared. The benches cleared again, and this time it got violent. As both teams trotted back to their respective dugout, Posada looked steamed and slightly disoriented, and Jesse Carlson had a wound the size of Canada on his forehead.

So, who is to blame? One could argue that Carlson provoked Posada, first by throwing behind him, then by standing on the wrong side of home plate. But I say Posada exhibited a gross overreaction. As John Kruk astutely noted on "Baseball Tonight", Posada had to know that somebody was going to get thrown at in retaliation. That's part of the unwritten rules of baseball. In his career, Posada has ordered many a pitcher to retaliate, so for him to respond like he did was simply hypocritical. And his elbow to Carlson as he crossed home plate was wholly unnecessary. Posada received a four game suspension and a fine of $3,000 for his actions. Carlson received the same punishment, but the Yankees all-star catcher deserves the brunt of the blame.

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Speaking of tempers, how about that U.S. Open. We should be talking about the incredible performances of champions Kim Clijsters and Juan Del Potro, but instead we are discussing the fiery antics of Serena Williams and, to a lesser extent, Roger Federer. And in my opinion, it is much ado about nothing. Serena did indeed say some reprehensible things when she was called for a foot fault in the waning moments of her semifinal match against Clijsters, threatening to shove the f***ing ball down the throat of the line judge. In no way do I excuse these words, but Serena understandably got caught up in the heat of the moment. After all, it was a horrible call that cost her the match. Two days later, Roger Federer was caught spewing salty language to the line judge during his championship match against Del Potro. Hoopla ensued, and people began to criticize Federer. Not me. Tennis has a long history of temperamental greats, most notably John McEnroe. Like McEnroe, Serena and Federer simply got caught in the heat of the moment. We all have tempers, and in my opinion, it is refreshing to see superstar athletes expressing genuine frustration. It just makes them seem more human.

Random Observations: NFL Week One

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

---It's just week one, but Jake Delhomme's job may already be in jeopardy. The Carolina Panthers quarterback has thrown nine interceptions in his last two games, dating back to that excruciating playoff loss at home to Arizona a year ago. I am not sure what has happened to Delhomme, once an elite QB. Perhaps he is dating Jessica Simpson.

---Any truth to the rumor that the St. Louis Rams have been banned from the league?

---GO NINERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

---Could we possibly see Michael Vick earlier than scheduled in Philadelphia? Kevin Kolb is listed as the Eagles backup QB, but if Donovan McNabb's rib injury lingers, will Andy Reid be able to resist the temptation of placing Vick behind center?

---My heart goes out to Cincinnati Bengals fans everywhere. That last-second loss on a poor pass from Broncos QB Kyle Orton made for one of the most improbable finishes in NFl history.

---Bears-Packers was expected to be an offensive showdown, but it was the defenses who shined the brightest, with the Packers defense shutting down Jay Cutler and the Bears.

---Speaking of the Chicago D, the loss of Brian Urlacher leaves a gaping hole. Is it too early for me to take back by NFC Super Bowl pick?

---It was a thrilling win for my 49ers on Sunday, but our offensive line needs to step up their game this weekend in the home opener against the Seahawks.

---It may count as a W, but the San Diego Chargers should not be very happy with the way they played last night against the lowly Raiders.

---Last night's Bills-Patriots game was awesome. Terrell Owens showed promise, even without much production, in his Buffalo debut, and Tom Brady orchestrated yet another game-winning drive in his return to action for New England.

---I'll finish with a fearless prediction: Mark Sanchez will be rookie of the year.

Week One NFL Winners

The defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers commenced the 2009 NFL season in thrilling fashion on Thursday night, defeating Kerry Collins, Chris Johnson, and the Tennessee Titans in overtime, 13-10. Meanwhile, the Steelers lost Troy Polomalu to injury, an intriguing early season development that may or may not hinder the Steelers quest to repeat. We shall see. Thursday night was the kickoff, but Sunday is the big premiere for the NFL. There are some terrific games (Bears-Packers; Niners-Cardinals; Eagles-Panthers), and here are my prognostications (home team in all caps):

FALCONS over Dolphins..........Matt Ryan proves that he was no rookie fluke.
RAVENS over Chiefs..........Joe Flacco proves that he was no rookie fluke.
PANTHERS over Eagles..........Jake Delhomme is mad as hell following last year's playoff loss.
BENGALS over Broncos..........Chad Ochocinco backs up his words.
Vikings over BROWNS..........I can't stand Favre, but I'm not stupid. Nonetheless, I'm rooting for the Browns.
TEXANS over Jets..........Mark Sanchez has an impressive debut, but he'll have to wait for his first W.
COLTS over Jaguars..........No Fred Taylor? BIG problem for the Jags.
SAINTS over Lions..........The Matthew Stafford era should be exciting, but the road to recovery in Detroit will be a long one.
Cowboys over BUCS..........The Cowboys will finish in third place this season in the NFC East. But they are still far better than Tampa.
Niners over CARDINALS..........Why? Because of Shaun Hill, Frank Gore, Glen Coffee, Patrick Willis, and Nate Clements. No Crabtree, no problem. Can you sense that I'm biased?
GIANTS over Redskins..........The Albert Haynesworth acquisition is huge for the Redskins, but lets not kid ourselves. Giants roll.
SEAHAWKS over Rams..........If Matt Hasselbeck stays healthy, Seattle will rebound in 2009.
Bears over PACKERS..........Jay Cutler shows that this isn't your old Chicago Bears offense. Big statement win in a brutally tough road environment.
PATRIOTS over Bills..........T.O.'s Buffalo debut becomes completely overshadowed by the return of Brady.
Chargers over RAIDERS..........They're the Raiders. No explanation needed.

U.S. Open Rundown, and Prince Fielder's Celebration

The shocking upsets, and the Cinderella stories, continue to dominate the headlines in Week 2 at the U.S. Open. Seventeen-year-old American Melanie Oudin continues to amaze, defeating Nadia Petrova yesterday to clinch a trip to the quarterfinals, and Kim Clijsters, the former world number one who took a two-year hiatus to have a baby, is fresh off a win over Venus Williams. Can either Oudin or Clijsters beat Serena Williams? I say probably not, but I place emphasis on the probably, because both Oudin and Clijsters have showed that they have the ability to beat anybody, even if it means defeating the great Serena Williams.

So much for my Andy Murray prediction. Murray looked completely listless today, losing in straight sets to a rejuvenated Marin Cilic. Cilic played brilliantly, but Murray should be embarrassed with the way he played. Like Andy Roddick, Andy Murray has a long fall and winter ahead of him, time that he'll spend pondering what exactly went wrong. Murray and Roddick may have exited, but heavyweights Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal still remain. Popular wisdom suggests that Federer and Nadal are now the clear-cut favorites, and if Nadal can outlast the extremely talented Gael Monfils tonight at Arthur Ashe stadium, he will further cement his status as an obvious favorite. However, nobody is talking about Novak Djokovic, and that could be a mistake. As Pam Shriver astutely noted on last night's telecast, Djokovic thrives under low expectations, and I wouldn't be surprised if Djokovic spoils the Federer-Nadal party.

Speaking of Djokovic, what an awesome moment it was last night when he shared the court with John McEnroe. It was the most exciting moment of the tournament so far, and that's saying something.

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As a diehard Giants fan, I was a little irked when Prince Fielder and the Brewers staged that tired bowling pin celebration following Fielder's walk-off homer against the Giants on Sunday. And I'm not alone in my annoyance. Many of the Giants players and coaches, including catcher Bengie Molina and bench coach Ron Wotus, have expressed their dismay over Milwaukee's antics. And if you think it's just the Giants who are annoyed, think again. Angels center fielder Torii Hunter told the L.A. Times that he was no fan of the celebration either.

I like Prince Fielder, and I'm all for post-game celebrations, but when celebrations become so obviously rehearsed, then that becomes a problem.

Ichiro, Bradford, Jordan, and 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:

---Labor Day is a holiday for rest and relaxation, but I don't think Oklahoma Sooners fans are in a very restful mood right now. The Sooners got upset by BYU on Saturday, and Heisman winning quarterback Sam Bradford may miss weeks and maybe even months with a shoulder injury. If Bradford misses an extended period of time, Oklahoma can say adios to its national championship hopes.

---Other than BYU-Oklahoma, there weren't many upsets in Week 1 of college football. Florida, Texas, USC, Ole Miss, Oklahoma State, and Cal all rolled to victory. Two teams that might have cause for concern? Ohio State and LSU. Jim Tressel's Buckeyes barely escaped Navy at home, and Les Miles' Tigers were tested by Steve Sarkisian's Washington Huskies.

---Smart move by Oregon head coach Chip Kelly, who suspended RB LeGarette Blount for his inexcusable punch to the face of a Boise State player following Thursday night's game. Blount's actions needed to punished, and Kelly exhibited the appropriate level of discipline. The news does not bode well for Oregon on the football field, however, as Blount was an outstanding player. USC and Cal are infinitely better than the Ducks, and with the absence of Blount, there is reason to believe that Oregon State and Stanford are better as well.

---On to baseball now, where Ichiro Suzuki has become the second-fastest player to reach 2,000 career hits. Because he plays in Seattle, Ichiro doesn't get the respect that he deserves. The speedy right fielder is one of the most prolific hitters ever, and he will be a first-ballot entry into Cooperstown.

---Speaking of hit records, Derek Jeter is only four hits away from passing Lou Gehrig on the all-time New York Yankees hit list. Like Ichiro, Jeter is a first-ballot Hall of Famer and a consummate professional. Heck, even Red Sox fans have to admire the guy.

---Consummate professionalism wouldn't be the words I'd use when describing the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are one loss away from clinching their seventeenth consecutive losing season. Whatever happened to the glory days of Willie Stargell, Bert Blyleven, and Dave Parker? The Pirates have some tremendous talent (Andrew McCutchen, Garrett Jones) to build for the future, but their front office management is woefully inept. I like manager John Russell, but unless the front office gets shaken up a little bit, baseball futility in Pittsburgh will continue for years to come.

---But Pittsburgh sports fans need not worry. There's always the Steelers.

---It's funny: The Nationals are even worse than the Pirates, and the Nats own the worst record in the majors. But their future looks far brighter than that of the Pirates. The biggest reason for optimism in D.C. is Ryan Zimmerman, the slugging third baseman and one of the best players in the game who will eventually lead the Nats to winning ways.

---Alright, here we go: My Giants commence a hugely important homestand this afternoon against the Padres, Dodgers, and Rockies. All we need to do is score a couple more runs, and let our pitching do the rest. Go Giants!!!

---Baseball fans everywhere should follow Keith Olbermann's blog, entitled "Baseball Nerd", on MLB.com. Olbermann is an astute baseball historian, and his blog is insightful and entertaining.

---This is the last thing Norv Turner wanted: Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, arguably the face of the franchise (Sorry Phillip Rivers!), was arrested a couple of nights ago for allegedly attacking his girlfriend, reality television star Tila Tequila. It appears as if Merriman is innocent, however, as no visible injuries were found on the body of Tequila. Nonetheless, this is an unwelcome distraction for a Chargers team looking to bounce back from a mediocre 8-8 season a year ago.

---I love Peyton Manning, but do we need to see him in every commercial ever made?

---Great drama at the U.S. Open over the weekend, where there were several upsets. Andy Roddick became the first high-profile player to go down on Saturday, losing to fellow American John Isner. Also on Saturday, American Melanie Oudin continued her surprising run through this year's Open, defeating Maria Sharapova. And on Sunday, Venus Williams fell to Kim Clijsters.

---What a story Kim Clijsters has been. A former World Number One, Clijsters took a two-year hiatus from tennis. Now she is back, and it looks as if she hasn't lost a step. Venus may have been suffering from a nagging knee injury, but she was outplayed by Clijsters on Sunday. Serena Williams remains the favorite on the women's side, but one cannot count out Clijsters.

---Now that my previous pick, Andy Roddick, has departed, I think Andy Murray will outlast Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to win the U.S. Open.

---And finally, as His Airness prepares his Hall of Fame induction speech, let me take a moment and pay tribute to one of the greatest athletes of all-time. Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Julius Erving, Magic Johnson, and Wilt Chamberlain were all great, but Michael Jordan is far and away the best basketball player ever. No if's, and's, or but's about it. Jordan is a true champion, a superstar who transcended the sport of basketball.

---My favorite Jordan moment? His incredible reverse layup in the 1991 NBA Finals against the Lakers, paired with Marv Albert's legendary call: "Oh, a spectacular move by Michael Jordan!"

2009 NFL Preview

The National Football League is ready to roll, and the 2009 season promises great excitement and intrigue. With no further ado, here are my thoughts and predictions on the upcoming season:



TOP FIVE SUPER BOWL CONTENDERS



1. Pittsburgh Steelers/ Head Coach: Mike Tomlin



The defending Super Bowl champs have almost the exact same roster as last year. With an elite quarterback (Ben Roethlisberger), an explosive running back (Willie Parker), a clutch wide receiver (Hines Ward), and two of the best defensive players in the game (James Harrison and Troy Polomalu), what's not to like?



2. New England Patriots/ Head Coach: Bill Belichick



It is easy to dislike the curmudgeonly antics of Coach Belichick, but even Belichick haters like myself know that he is an outstanding coach. If Tom Brady can stay healthy, Belichick's Pats will have a legitimate chance at another championship. The loss of the newly retired Tedy Bruschi may ding the defense a little bit, but New England still has enough defensive prowess. The acquisition of veteran running back Fred Taylor will further improve an already stellar offense.



3. Chicago Bears/ Head Coach: Lovie Smith



The Bears have always been known for their stalwart defense, led by the great Brian Urlacher. This year, however, the Bears will have an outstanding offense to match that intimidating D. Thanks to the acquisition of quarterback Jay Cutler from Denver, in addition to the blazing speed of Devin Hester and Matt Forte, Chicago finally has a well-rounded team that, I think, will win the NFC. Cutler will erase the stale memories of the Rex Grossman/Kyle Orton era, and the Bears D will continue to be dominant. The Bears will be a force to be reckoned with.



4. New York Giants/ Head Coach: Tom Coughlin



The loss of soon-to-be prison inmate Plaxico Burress poses some cause for concern, but I think the G-Men will be just fine. Eli Manning has blossomed into an elite QB, and even without Plaxico, Manning still has some nice offensive weapons (Brandon Jacobs, Steve Smith). On the defensive side of things, the return of Osi Umenyiora is huge for the Giants. The Eagles and Cowboys will be lurking, but the New York Giants will win the NFC East.



5. Indianapolis Colts/ Head Coach: Jim Caldwell



There are several reasons to believe that this will be a down year for the Colts. First of all, they are no longer guided by the great Tony Dungy. Secondly, they no longer have Marvin Harrison, one of the most prolific wide receivers in NFL history. So yes, first year coach Jim Caldwell has a mightily difficult job on his hands. However, there is one constant in Indy, and that is Peyton Manning. As long as Number 18 is taking the snaps, the Colts will remain a Super Bowl contender. With this being said, the Colts will need major contributions from Reggie Wayne, Anthony Gonzalez, and Joseph Addai on the offensive end, as well as from Dwight Freeney and Melvin Bullitt on the defensive side of things.

Honorable Mentions: Atlanta Falcons; Baltimore Ravens; Philadelphia Eagles



THREE TEAMS ON THE RISE



1. Kansas City Chiefs/ Head Coach: Todd Haley

Following a thoroughly forgettable 2-win season in 2008, the new-look Chiefs are poised to return to winning ways. Kansas City, led by first-year head coach Todd Haley, will probably not be able to outseat the Chargers in the AFC West, but they will contend for a wild card. Quarterback Matt Cassel takes the reins after a successful year in New England, and he is a far more consistent force behind center than KC's previous two QB's, Brady Croyle and Damon Huard. Two big additions, wide receiver Bobby Engram and linebacker Mike Vrabel, will buoy the Chiefs to a much-improved season in 2009.

2. San Francisco 49ers/ Head Coach: Mike Singletary

Am I biased? Of course I am. But I truly believe that my Niners have the best shot at dethroning the defending NFC West champion Arizona Cardinals. Granted, Shaun Hill won't draw any comparisons to Steve Young and Joe Montana, but he is a much better option than draft bust Alex Smith. The Niners have a phenomenal ground game, led by pro bowler Frank Gore and soon-to-be rookie sensation Glen Coffee. San Francisco also has two of the best defensive players in the NFL in Patrick Willis and Nate Clements. Add that to the passionate leadership of Coach Mike Singletary, and my Niners will be an exciting team to watch in 2009. Now back to unbiased programming.

3. Houston Texans/ Head Coach: Gary Kubiak

If there was ever a time for the Houston Texans to start winning, it is now. The AFC South has never been more wide open. The Colts have no Marvin Harrison, the Jaguars have no Fred Taylor, the Titans have no Albert Haynesworth. The Texans, meanwhile, have all of their pieces intact, led by star defensive end Mario Williams. If QB Matt Schaub and running back Steve Slaton stay healthy, the Texans could be the Miami Dolphins of 2009.

BOTTOM THREE

1. Detroit Lions/ Head Coach: Jim Schwartz

If the Lions do the right thing and reward Matthew Stafford with the starting quarterback job over Dante Culpepper, the Lions will successfully start the road to recovery. However, memories of that winless 2008 season still linger, and the rebuilding process is bound to be slow. Until the Lions win a football game, sad to say, they hold on to the title of the NFL's worst team.

2. Oakland Raiders/ Head Coach: Tom Cable

It has been a tumultuous offseason for the Silver and Black, thanks to the punching outburst of head coach Tom Cable. The Raiders remain the NFL's most dysfunctional franchise. They have an unproven quarterback (JaMarcus Russell), an unproven coach (Tom Cable), and sports' most sleazy owner (Al Davis). The skills of Darren McFadden will provide some thrilling moments in 2009, but it will be an otherwise painful season for the Raiders.

3. Cleveland Browns/ Head Coach: Eric Mangini

I'm a Mangini fan, but it will take him a while to rebuild this franchise. Like the Lions, the Browns would be wise to start the young and untested quarterback (Brady Quinn) over the veteran (Derek Anderson). Quinn is the face of the future for the Browns, and in a division that will be dominated by the Steelers and Ravens, Cleveland needs to start retooling for the future immediately if they want to contend within the next couple of years.

SUPER BOWL PREDICTION

The Steelers will outlast the Patriots in the AFC Championship game, and Jay Cutler will lead the Bears past the Giants in the NFC Championship Game. In the end, the Steelers will be Super Bowl champs yet again. I know, not a very bold pick, but my predictions are usually hogwash, so you can't really blame me for taking the safe route on this one.

The Under-the-Radar Tigers, and the Perseverance of Nadal

When the subject of American League contenders is raised, one immediately thinks of the Yankees, Red Sox, and Angels. They are the creme-de-la-creme, and according to popular belief, the only three AL teams with legitimate World Series aspirations. But there is one team that is flying completely under the radar, one team with a vast wealth of talent that will make them dangerous in October. That team is the Detroit Tigers. Entering Saturday, Detroit has a comfortable six-game lead in the AL Central. Granted, this is a weak division, as the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox don't exactly strike fear in the hearts of their opponents. With this being said, however, the Tigers deserve some attention and respect.

There are several reasons why the Tigers will be a force to be reckoned with in October. The first is their manager, the feisty and ultra competitive Jim Leyland. At 64 years of age, Leyland has more passion and energy than most people half his age. He has the respect of everyone in baseball, due in large part to his impressive managerial track record of turning around previously doomed franchises. After being hired by the Florida Marlins in 1997, Leyland immediately delivered a World Series title in what was only the fifth year of existence for the Fish. When Leyland got the Tigers managerial job in 2006, the franchise was in total ruins, only three years removed from a 119-loss season. But in his first year, Jim Leyland led the Tigers to an American League pennant. Now, Detroit is back in the hunt again. Their pitching, led by Justin Verlander and Edwin Jackson, and their offense, led by Magglio Ordonez and Placido Polanco, will keep the Tigers in every game in the postseason. The Yankees, Red Sox, and Angels shouldn't celebrate an AL pennant just yet.

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With the exception of Melanie Oudin's stunning win over Elena Dementieva, the 2009 U.S. Open has not yet seen many upsets. All of the big names remain. However, last night at Flushing Meadow we saw some signs of struggle from Rafael Nadal. Nadal, coming off a knee injury that prevented him from defending his title at Wimbledon, labored in his second round match against Nicolas Kiefer. Kiefer pushed Nadal to a hard-fought fourth set, a fact that does not bode well for Nadal if he wants to beat the likes of Federer, Roddick, and Murray. With this being said, though, panic is not warranted. Even in a struggle last night, Nadal showed why he is such a tenacious competitor. Rafa thrives under adversity, and he never stopped battling against Kiefer, eventually battling his way to victory. Rafael Nadal is still a major threat to win the U.S. Open.

The Nadal-Kiefer match was the primetime event at Center Court last night, but the most thrilling match of the night took place at the Grandstands court between Taylor Dent and Ivan Navarro. Dent and Navarro delivered an enthralling five-set thriller that worked its way to a fifth-set tiebreak. In the end, the American Taylor Dent prevailed, adding another chapter to an inspirational Cinderella story. Dent was once ranked 21st in the world, viewed by many as the next big thing in tennis. But two back surgeries left him out of tennis for four years. Last night's win was a sweet return for Dent, a reminder that pure grit and determination can indeed overcome physical shortcomings.

2009 College Football: Three Burning Questions

The incredibly thrilling, occasionally frustrating world of college football is back, ready to take us through a tremendously exciting regular season before the lousy, criminally unfair BCS takes over. Nonetheless, I'm excited. Here are three burning questions that will play a major role in the 2009 college football season:

1. Will Boise State finally get some BCS love?

Boise State opened their season last night on the blue turf with the biggest game they've had in years, a showdown with fourteenth-ranked Oregon. It was a make-or-break game for Chris Petersen's Broncos. They needed to win if they have any hope of playing in a BCS bowl game. It was a sloppy affair between two noticeably unpolished teams, but in the end Boise State prevailed, with sights set on an undefeated season.

First of all, it is wildly presumptuous to assume that Boise State will run the table. In order to go undefeated, the Broncos will need to play a hell of a lot better than they did on Thursday night. But just for the sake of argument, lets assume that Boise finds a way to go through the season unscathed. Will they then receive some much-deserved BCS love? Due to the horrific litany of BCS blunders, I wouldn't expect much love if I were a Boise fan. But if the BCS wants to reshape its severely tarnished image, it would be wise to reward an undefeated Boise State team.

2. Can Tim Tebow lead Florida back to the promise land?

The answer, of course, is yes. I am sometimes turned off by the Christ-like treatment the media gives to Tebow, but there is no denying the fact that he is the nation's best, most disciplined quarterback. Tebow plays with great fire and passion, and he uses the criticism of his doubters as fuel that makes him even better. Even with the loss of wide receiver Percy Harvin, Urban Meyer's Gators are widely expected to repeat as champs. It would be their third title in four years, and would further cement Tim Tebow's status as an all-time great. But there are several teams that are determined to knock Florida off the throne.

Mack Brown's Texas Longhorns and Bob Stoops' Oklahoma Sooners will be satisfied with nothing short of a national championship. Nick Saban's Alabama Crimson Tide, Frank Beemer's Virginia Tech Hokies, and Houston Nutt's Ole Miss Rebels all have similar aspirations. And even though USC is led by an inexperienced freshman quarterback (Matt Barkley), any Pete Carroll team is always a national title contender. So I agree that Florida will be celebrating another BCS championship, but their fate is not as clear-cut as some may think.

3. Can Jahvid Best add Heisman Trophy Winner to his resume?

Absolutely yes. While Florida's Tim Tebow, Oklahoma's Sam Bradford, and Texas' Colt McCoy are the Heisman favorites, it would be foolish to count out Cal's junior running back Jahvid Best. Best is a freak of nature on the football field, a lightning fast superstar with serious NFL potential. Best told Sports Illustrated that he modeled his game after Reggie Bush, and I think Best is even better than Bush. Jeff Tedford's Golden Bears have big aspirations this season, and with all due respect to quarterback Kevin Riley, Cal's success rests firmly on the shoulders of Best. When all is said and done, Jahvid Best should be in New York City as a Heisman candidate.


So there you have it! Let the games begin!

Roddick, Penny, Marshall, and 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 2009 U.S. Open is underway at Flushing Meadow, and the typical names have emerged as the early favorites, as Roger Federer, Andy Roddick, Andy Murray, Serena Williams, and Rafael Nadal have all looked strong in their opening matches. The only big name who has showed signs of struggle early on is Venus Williams. Her knee seems to be a significant annoyance, and with every painful wince it becomes less and less likely that she will capture another Grand Slam title.

---But Venus should not fret, because her sister will walk away with the U.S. Open title.

---On the men's side, it seems foolish to pick against Federer, but my money is on Andy Roddick. Roddick showed incredible resiliance, even in defeat, against Federer at Wimbledon. Judging by his impressive first-round dismantling of Bjorn Phau, Andy Roddick is on a mission, and anything short of another Grand Slam title would be a disappointment.

---God Bless Brad Penny. The newest San Francisco Giant pitched eight shutout innings against the powerful Phillies lineup, leading the Giants to victory. If Penny continues to pitch beautifully, the Giants rotation goes five strong, with Lincecum, Zito, Cain, Sanchez, and now Penny. Go Giants!

---The Florida Marlins are a young and exciting team with two of the most talented youngsters in recent baseball memory (Dan Uggla, Hanley Ramirez). So it is sad to see the embarrassing lack of fan support in Miami. Even in a pennant race, the orange seats at Land Shark Stadium remain empty. Wake up Miami and support your team!

---I believe that the Red Sox will hang on and win the AL Wild Card, but they shouldn't overlook the Texas Rangers. The Rangers currently sit 2.5 games back of Boston, and with the likes of Nelson Cruz, Ian Kinsler, and Josh Hamilton, they will be in this race for the remainder of the season. The only factor that could hurt the Rangers is the injury to All-Star shortstop Michael Young. In order to catch the Red Sox, it is imperative that the Rangers be at full strength.

---Football is back and better than ever, and I will give all my picks and predictions on the upcoming pigskin season in the coming days. My college football preview runs tomorrow, while my NFL preview runs on Sunday.

---The Denver Broncos are making the right call in not trading wide receiver Brandon Marshall. Marshall may be a shady character, but he is a tremendous force on the football field, and Josh McDaniels' team needs Marshall if they want to be playing in January.

---Ricky Rubio is staying in Spain, much to the chagrin of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Rubio's departure is indeed a blow to Kurt Rambis' team, but the T'Wolves are still pretty strong at the point guard position. Former Syracuse star Jonny Flynn will have a terrific year for the otherwise lowly Timberwolves, and who knows, maybe Flynn's play will make the organization momentarily forget about the absence of Rubio.

---I'll leave you with my thoughts on the FedEx Cup: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Oh sorry, I fell asleep for a moment there. Look, I love golf, and you can't top the drama of the four PGA Majors. But the FedEx Cup is anticlimactic, a convoluted and wholly unnecessary end to the PGA season.