Belichick, Gerhart, Jennings, 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, Bill Belichick should be hiding inside his ugly gray hoodie. Sorry to be so harsh, but that was an awful call by Belichick to go for it on fourth down in the final minutes of last night's thrilling game between the Patriots and Colts.


---If Belichick were a classy guy, I would be a little less judgmental. But the fact of the matter is that he is a pompous jerk, and I'm happy to see him get bombarded with criticism.


---Still, as bad as that call was, the Colts deserve all the credit in the world for orchestrating yet another incredible comeback. Down by 17 in the fourth quarter, Peyton Manning worked his magic once more, and Reggie Wayne's game-winning touchdown reception is far and away the catch of the year so far.


---When all was said and done, it was another instant classic from the Pats and the Colts.


---In other NFL news, how about those Cincinnati Bengals. With their 18-12 win at Pittsburgh yesterday, Marvin Lewis' team completed a season sweep of the archrival Steelers. The Bengals remain undefeated against the AFC North, and have now established themselves as legitimate Super Bowl contenders.


---The difference between Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco and Bills WR Terrell Owens? Ochocinco's outrageous antics are fun and translate into wins on the football field, while T.O's selfish behavior tears a team apart, as evidenced by his whining on the sideline during yesterday's Buffalo loss to the Titans.


---Rumor has it that President Obama is thinking about bailing out the Jets. After a 3-0 start, Rex Ryan's Jets have fallen back to earth.


---On to the NBA now, where Brandon Jennings continues to amaze. The Bucks rookie guard torched my Warriors for 55 points in Saturday's 129-125 win over Golden State. Jennings fell just three points short of Wilt Chamberlain's rookie record. Jennings is going to run away with the rookie of the year award this season, and his brilliant play may buoy the Bucks into the playoffs.

---Could it get any more heartbreaking for the winless New Jersey Nets? The Nets were a few seconds away from getting their first victory of the year in Miami on Saturday night, only to see Dwayne Wade work some more of his magic with a game-winning buzzer-beater to give the Heat the win. Now, the Nets are 0-10. There is hope, however, in the form of rookie Terrence Williams. Williams is an amazing athlete who holds the keys to New Jersey's future.

---The Pistons have been doing a good job of delaying their inevitable downslide this season thanks to the inspired play of Will Bynum. In a lineup that includes the likes of Tayshaun Prince, Rip Hamilton, Ben Gordon, and Rodney Stuckey, Bynum does not seem like a likely contributor, but he has carried the Pistons in recent games.

---Big trade today in the NBA, as the Stephen Jackson era has ended in Oakland. As a diehard Warriors fan, I am relieved that we finally shipped Jackson away. He was a great Warrior, but in recent months he became a major distraction with his incessant trade demands. Jackson heads to Charlotte in exchange for Raja Bell and Vladimir Radmonovic, and I'm thrilled with the Raja Bell acquisition. Bell is a spectacular defender and a solid all-around player who is more than capable of filling the void left by Jackson.

---Stanford in the Rose Bowl? At the start of the college football season that very thought would be utterly preposterous and laughable. Eleven weeks later and Stanford has a chance to play in Pasadena. This is due in large part to star running back Toby Gerhart, who rushed for 178 yards in Saturday's 55-21 thrashing of USC. Gerhart belongs in the Heisman conversation along with Florida QB Tim Tebow and Alabama RB Mark Ingram.

---Was Ohio State's overtime win over Iowa on Saturday impressive? Yes, and it was a win that will likely put the Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl. However, I still think that Ohio State is an overrated football team. Until Jim "Sweater Vest" Tressel leads his team to a big victory over a non-Big Ten opponent, I will remain unconvinced that Ohio State is a legitimate national power in college football.

---College basketball is back and better than ever, and I can already hear the passionate chants of "It's awesome baby!!!" from the great Dick Vitale. My national championship pick? Tom Izzo's Michigan State Spartans. A year removed from an appearance in the national championship game, the Spartans will build from that experience and go on to cut down the nets in Indianapolis.