Sanchez, Arenas, Leach, 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 NFL Playoffs are set, and Wild Card weekend gives us three week 17 rematches: Packers-Cardinals, Eagles-Cowboys, and Jets-Bengals, in addition to a clash between the Ravens and Patriots. Most intriguing matchup? Dallas and Philadelphia.

---Count me as one of the many who seriously misjudged the Dallas Cowboys. Working under the assumption that Wade Phillips' team would once again fall victim to their annual December swoon, I gave the Cowboys no shot at making the playoffs after their week 14 loss to the Chargers. Boy did they prove me wrong. Tony Romo and company are playing at a very high level right now, and they may even have the psychological edge against Philly after a dominating win over the Eagles on the final Sunday of the regular season. So Dallas is a lock, right? Not so fast, my friends.

---The playoffs are a whole different ballgame, and the 'Boys still have some postseason demons to exercise. Don't count on the Eagles being mentally rattled after yesterday's loss. Philadelphia is the team with the veteran playoff savvy and experience, led by Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook, and they are still a viable Super Bowl threat. This game is a total toss-up.

---The New York media has been quick to chastise Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez in his rookie season, but they should lay off the criticism in the wake of the Jets' thorough beating of the Bengals in week 17, a win that clinched a playoff birth. Sanchez is indeed a flawed QB, but he deserves heaps of praise right now for staging a late-season comeback and leading the Jets into the playoffs. Those Jets fans that expect Sanchez to be an instant replica of Joe Namath just need to be patient.

---Doesn't it seem like months ago that the Saints and Colts were considered the clear favorites to reach the Super Bowl? Once undefeated, New Orleans and Indianapolis are sputtering into the playoffs after less than stellar regular season finishes. After three consecutive losses, Drew Brees and company have had their confidence shaken. Brees has carried the Saints on his back all season long, but the Saints' lackluster defense may ultimately lead to their downfall in the playoffs. The Colts, meanwhile, are dealing with a fake controversy that has been unfairly stoked by the media.

---Indy coach Jim Caldwell is taking major heat for pulling his starters in the second half of the week 16 loss to the Jets at a time in which the Colts were still eligible for a perfect season. The media responded with fury: How could Caldwell be so ignorant? How could he possibly throw away a chance at history? Cool it, folks. An undefeated season is nice, no question. But that is not the Colts' main objective. If Caldwell felt that his starters needed some rest before the playoffs, then he was right to sit them down, even if that rest sacrificed a chance at history.

---Meanwhile, Brett Favre is back in the playoffs with the Vikings. As you can imagine, Brett's high level of play is earning him some key endorsements. Earlier today, he was endorsed by the AARP. Rimshot, please! Those Brett Favre is old jokes never get old!

---On to the NBA now, where Gilbert Arenas is making a bid to become the next spokesman for the National Rifle Association.

---Arenas is mired in controversy after bringing a gun into the Wizards locker room after getting in a dispute with teammate Jarvaris Crittendon over a gambling debt. The gun was unloaded, but that is beside the point. Agent Zero's actions were insanely stupid and irresponsible, actions that are bound to bring more unwarranted negative attention to the NBA.

---The NBA is far and away my favorite league, so you can imagine my dismay at Gilbert Arenas right now. His actions will give more ammunition to those who wrongly say that the NBA is a league of thugs. This is, of course, a ridiculously ignorant and wholly incorrect perception, but it is a perception that will continue to linger in the wake of the Arenas situation.

---And if you're one of the fools who thinks that the NBA is a thug league, how do explain the gun incidents of Plaxico Burress and Tank Johnson in the NFL, or the numerous legal troubles of the NFL's Pacman Jones? Can't think of a reasonable response? Well that's because your anti-NBA rhetoric is closed-minded crap. Anyway, I'm getting angry. Lets move on before I pop a blood vessel.

---I've long been a Kobe Bryant critic, but even I have been blown away by Kobe's recent play. I was in attendance at the Staples Center last week when Kobe single-handedly willed the Lakers to victory over my beloved Warriors. Three nights later, Kobe hit yet another buzzer-beater to beat the Kings. And he is doing all of this with a broken finger. Unbelievable. Do I still think that Kobe is an absolute jerk? Yes. Do I still think that LeBron is the better, more well-rounded player? Yes. But there is no denying the fact that Kobe is playing at a Jordanesque level right now. And believe me, that is very painful for me to say.

---After a sluggish start, LeBron and the Cavs are playing superb basketball right now, despite a disappointing loss to the Bobcats last night. With the Celtics hampered by injuries to Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Rajon Rondo, and with the Magic yet to fulfill their potential, Cleveland is the best team in the East right now.

---Most of the attention for the Coach of the Year race is going to Paul Westphal in Sacramento, Scott Brooks in Oklahoma City, and Rick Adelman in Houston. They are all deserving candidates, but my vote as of this writing goes to Lionel Hollins in Memphis. After a rough start to the season, during which the Grizzlies were presented with a whirlwind of distractions caused by Allen Iverson, Hollins has guided the Grizz into postseason contention, a remarkable feat. The Grizzlies have some talent---O.J. Mayo (more on Mayo in a moment), Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, and Rudy Gay---but the fact that they are in playoff contention after the Iverson mess is stunning, a testament to Hollins' exemplary leadership.

---Jim "Sweater Vest" Tressel has always been a source of constant annoyance for me, but his Ohio State Buckeyes looked extremely impressive in their Rose Bowl win against Oregon. The man responsible for Ohio State's victory, however, is not Tressel. It's quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Pryor displayed jaw-dropping athleticism and tremendous football intelligence on New Years Day in Pasadena. He is a lock to succeed in the NFL.

---The BCS (Big Crappy System) National Championship game is right around the corner, as Alabama and Texas will battle in Pasadena on Thursday night. My hatred for the BCS aside, this should be an outstanding game to watch. My prediction? Well, I have the utmost respect for Longhorns QB Colt McCoy, but when 'Bama destroyed Florida in the SEC Title game, it convinced me that they cannot be beat. I'll take the Crimson Tide.

---I'm already tired of this Mike Leach story, but I'll offer some quick insight. Leach is an unquestionably brilliant football mind, but his actions regarding Adam James were bullyish and immature and cannot be tolerated. Therefore, his firing at Texas Tech was justified. The way in which the Tech players have been unyielding in their support of James shows that Leach had lost the respect of his team. In this day in age, using bully tactics as a head coach will never lead to success. Bob Knight and Bill Parcells thrived in different eras. This day in age, some of their hard-nosed tactics cannot and should not be replicated.

---College basketball is also experiencing some scandal right now, as USC has put self-imposed sanctions on its basketball program as punishment for NCAA violations committed by former player O.J. Mayo and former coach Tim Floyd. Now the Trojans are ineligible for postseason play this season. This is simply nonsense. This current USC team, led by Kevin O'Neill, is being punished for something that they played no part in. Meanwhile, Mayo and Floyd (an assistant coach with the Hornets) are thriving in the NBA and escape unscathed. Ridiculous.

---The Hot Stove in baseball saw some action this past week, as my Giants signed Mark DeRosa and re-signed Juan Uribe. I'm happy with the DeRosa signing---he's a versatile, talented player who can play third base, shortstop, left field, and even some first base if called upon. But I'm even happier with the Uribe signing. Uribe played a huge role in the Giants success last season. He's a major threat at the plate who gives San Francisco some much-needed offensive spark.

---Now one hot stove question remains: Who is going to sign Matt Holliday?

---I'll finish by giving an enthusiastic recommendation to "The Book of Basketball" by Bill Simmons, a hilarious, wildly entertaining, highly informative book about the past, future, and present of the NBA. It is essential reading for all hoops fans, written by one of the very best sportswriters in the country.